UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA Fakulti Kejuruteraan Mekanikal dan Pembuatan

1
UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIAFakulti
Kejuruteraan Mekanikal dan Pembuatan
INVESTIGATION OF HEAT STRESS ON LAUNDRY WORKERS
Introduction / Background
Research Team

• Lead Researcher

• Abstract

Name ZULHILMAN BIN DOR Matric No.
AK 030273 Course 4 BKJ Bachelors
Degree in Mechanical
Engineering (Manufacturing)
Heat stress is one of the occupational
hazards in hot working environment. Hot
conditions will put the body under a lot of
stress. This study will discuss the results on
investigation of heat stress among employees at
the selected Dr. Clean laundries around Johor
Bahru, Johor. In this study, heat stress level
was determined based on Wet Bulb Globe
Temperature Index (WBGT) and Heat Stress Index
(HSI). It was found that level of heat stress as
defined by WBGT at one of the laundries (Dr.
Clean Bandar Baru Uda) had slightly exceeded
Threshold Limit Value (TLV) limit as 28.78OC
more than 28C and 28.5C as recommended by the
ISO 7243 Standard and ACGIH Standard
respectively. Whereas, Laundry 2 (Dr Clean Bandar
Putra Kulai) and 3 (Dr Clean Taman Mutiara Rini)
were recorded as 26.41C and 27.04C
respectively. However, the Heat Stress Index of
Belding and Hatch (HSI) value shows possibility
of mild to moderate heat strain may occur at all
outlets. HSI index for Laundry 1, 2 and 3 were
exceeded range of 0-10 recommended by ISO 7243 as
28.45, 26.81 and 26.01 respectively. In
conclusion, Dr Clean outlets in Johor could be
considered as hot working environment since heat
stress was determined among laundry workers but
in a very initial stage.

• Researchers

Muhammad Azhar bin Ashari
AD 040041 3
BDP - Bachelors Degree in Mechanical
Engineering Sharifah
Norliza binti Wan Mohamad
AD040099 3 BDP Bachelors
Degree in Mechanical Engineering

• Problem Statement

Generally, heat stress is a problem in hot
working environments. Very hot environments can
overwhelm the bodys coping mechanisms leading to
a variety of serious and possibly fatal
conditions. Whenever, there is heat stress which
is imposed on the human body from the surrounding
thermal environment, there will be a resulting
heat strain on the human body which may cause
physiological reactions such as increased skin
temperature, sweat production, increased heart
rate and higher core temperature. Under extreme
conditions, the heat strain may cause health
impairment. Some of the hazards identified are
heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat
collapse, heat rashes, and heat fatigue.

• Advisor

• Objectives

MOHD AZLIS SANI MD JALIL Lecturer Dept.
of Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering M.
Eng (Manufacturing), Universiti of Malaya B.
Eng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, USM
The study aims to 1. To determine heat
stress at laundry workplace 2. To
investigate effects of heat stress to the
efficiency and productivity of the workers
3. To identify appropriate solutions for solving
the problems of hot working environment at the
laundry outlet
Methodology
Significant of study
Observation Site Visit Interviews Risk Assessment
There are three main stages that used during this
study. Firstly, observation on the activities
done by the workers is carried out during the
visit to the laundry. All the relevant
information such as number of workers, the way
they dressed, and the workers task has been
gained during the observation are recorded The
collection of data is the most crucial part of
the study aside from analysis of findings. It is
divided into two categories which are measurement
the size of workplace area, and measurement of
the heat stress at the workplace area. Finally,
the heat stress indices (WBGT and HSI) are
analyzed to determine the correlation of the heat
stress index with commonly used parameter such as
air temperature and humidity. Besides, the
gathered data also being compared with the
standard in order to identify either the laundry
workplace environment is within the limits or
exceeds certain limits set by the standards.
The important of this study are

• To identify the level of heat stress in laundry
  working
• environment especially for Malaysia climate
• To identify solutions for heat disorders and
  health issues of the
• workers regarding to the hot working
  environment
• To improve the level of safety at working
  environment and hence
• workers productivity

Collect Data Size of Workplace Heat Stress
Index Clothing Insulation Metabolic Rate
Analysis Data Compare with Standard Data
Result Discussion
There are two types of analysis conducted which
based on the analysis on subjective assessment
and analysis on measured data.
Risk Ranking at Dr Clean Laundry

• Analysis on Subjective Assessment

This subjective assessment including the
observation made on the employees during their
working time, some interviews with employers and
employees, and through the risk assessment
conducted.
Overall Clothing Insulation Value

• Analysis on Measured Data

This part will reported the analysis on measured
data from the technical instrument used in the
monitoring and collecting data stage. The data
collected will be analyzed in Microsoft Excel to
bring out the related table and graph in order to
get the permissible result. There are several
elements required to fulfill the analysis data
requirement in order to determine the existence
of heat stress in the laundry outlet. The result
from this part of analysis will be the answer for
the question whether the laundry outlet is safe
to the employees in terms of effect occurred by
heat stress.
Effect of Eight Hour Exposure According to HSI
Value
Comparison of Measured WBGT-Index with ISO 7243
Standard