https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3915-0340
Figures
Abstract
Introduction
Malaysia’s gross domestic product is heavily influenced by the food and beverage sector and the contribution of the industry to the national economy is expected to increase in the coming years. Thus, the need for employees in the food industry will continue to rise as this sector grows. Nevertheless, employees in the food industry are exposed to various occupational hazards that can lead to occupational injuries, mainly related to kitchen work. Given the increasing number of employees in the food industry and the rising trend of occupational injuries, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of recent occupational injuries and their associated factors and predictors among food industry workers.
Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 among food industry workers in Selangor, Malaysia. The respondents were sampled using a multistage random sampling method. Data were collected via online self-administered questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models in the SPSS software, version 25.
Results
A total of 250 responses were received from 342 samples, with an overall response rate of 73.0%. The prevalence of recent occupational injuries among food industry workers was 44.8%. Statistically, significant associations were present between occupational injuries and alcohol consumption (p = 0.001), poor knowledge (p = 0.031), poor compliance (p = 0.021), poor safety management (p = 0.021), poor safety training (p = 0.002), poor safety culture (p = 0.003), physical exposure (p < 0.001), and ergonomic exposure (p = 0.009). The predictors for recent occupational injuries among food industry workers were Malay (adjusted Odds Ratio; aOR = 2.60, p = 0.027, 95% Confidence Interval; CI = 1.116, 6.035), alcohol consumption (aOR = 5.31, p = 0.001, 95% CI = 2.042, 13.779), poor knowledge (aOR = 1.98, p = 0.032, 95% CI = 1.059, 3.691), poor safety culture (aOR = 2.44, p = 0.002, 95% CI = 1.372, 4.342), and exposure to physical hazards (aOR = 8.88, p < 0.001, 95% CI = 3.031, 26.014).
Conclusion
This study has found a high prevalence of occupational injuries among food industry workers, thereby highlighting the importance of addressing alcohol consumption, improving worker knowledge, enhancing work safety culture, and better control measures on exposure to physical hazards, especially among Malay workers. By prioritising these factors, employers can create safer work environments and minimise the risk of occupational injuries.
Citation: Dapari R, Mahfot MH, Chiu Yan Yee F, Ahmad ANI, Magayndran K, Ahmad Zamzuri M‘I, et al. (2023) Prevalence of recent occupational injury and its associated factors among food industry workers in Selangor. PLoS ONE 18(11): e0293987. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0293987
Editor: Charles Odilichukwu R. Okpala, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences: Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy we Wroclawiu, POLAND
Received: August 2, 2023; Accepted: October 24, 2023; Published: November 9, 2023
Copyright: © 2023 Dapari et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Data Availability: All relevant data are within the paper.
Funding: This research has received a RM25,000.00 grant from the Geran Putra Berfokus Jabatan Kesihatan Komuniti, Universiti Putra Malaysia (6302019-14001). The funders did not and will not have a role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Competing interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Introduction
Food industry workers are defined as individuals who are directly involved in food preparation, come into contact with food or food contact surfaces, and handle packaged or unpackaged food, or appliances on any food premises [1–3]. The importance of the food industry can be viewed from three aspects, namely income generation, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and employment. The food industry is the largest industrial manufacturing sector in most nations in the European Union, contributing to annual sales of more than €1.109 trillion and employing more than 4.57 million people [4, 5]. In Malaysia, the GDP is heavily influenced by the food industry and this contribution is anticipated to increase in the coming years [6]. Thus, the demand for employees in the food industry will continue to rise as this sector grows. Nonetheless, employees in the food industry are exposed to diverse occupational hazards that may culminate in occupational injuries [7–11].
An occupational injury is defined as any personal injury, disease or death resulting from an occupational accident [12]. An occupational accident is an unexpected and unplanned occurrence, including acts of violence, arising out of or in connection with work, which results in one or more workers incurring a personal injury, disease or death [12]. Occupational hazards in the global food industry, including restaurants and beverage stores, constitute considerable risks to injury among workers. Slips, trips, falls, burns, cuts, and musculoskeletal difficulties are frequently impacted by factors such as poor training, occupational stress, exhaustion, equipment and infrastructure concerns, and a lack of suitable personal protection equipment (PPE) [6–8]. Understanding these injuries and their causes is crucial as it promotes employee safety culture, ensures legal compliance, boosts productivity and efficiency, fosters a positive industry reputation, and contributes to the long-term sustainability of the food industry, resulting in a safer and more prosperous working environment for all involved [5, 13].
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), it is estimated that 2.78 million occupational fatalities and 374 million non-fatal occupational injuries and illnesses occur globally each year [14]. Manufacturing industries, including the food and beverage sector, accounted for 14.1% of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses in private industries in 2020, while 7.2% were from food services [14]. A study in Greece found that 44.3% of restaurant workers have experienced at least one occupational accident and 56.7% have no idea about the dangers they were exposed to at their workplace [15]. The exposure to occupational hazards, particularly in lower and middle-income countries, is higher given the limited safety resources and wide range of hazards including chemical, biological, psychosocial and ergonomic hazards [3]. Factors such as scarcity of resources, lack of well-equipped facilities, personnel shortages, overcrowding, lack of training, and improper execution of safety guidelines and regulations are key factors increasing the risk of occupational accidents [6–8, 15]. These diverse factors underscore the importance of adequate and effective implementation of occupational safety policies and regulations.
The occupational safety and health of food industry workers in Malaysia are generally governed and regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) Act 1994 (Act 514), similar to any other occupation [13]. In terms of occupational injuries categorised by sectors in Malaysia, an increasing trend of accidents was observed among food industry workers annually. In 2020, 62% of accidents with temporary disability, 84% of accidents with a permanent disability, and 34% of deaths reported to DOSH came from the manufacturing industries, including the food industry [16]. Occupational injuries among food industry workers are often related to kitchen work where workers could suffer a variety of injuries, such as falls, burns, cuts, strains, and eye problems [17].
Selangor’s food industry thrives, with a varied range of sizes including roadside stalls, restaurants, homemade meals, food riders, frozen food and pastry manufacturers. This wide range of food services requires the handling of hazardous materials and constant movement over short and long distances, thereby increasing the exposure of food industry workers to occupational hazards and the risk of occupational injuries. Occupational injuries in the food industry not only result in personal suffering for workers but also lead to increased healthcare costs and reduced productivity. This study focuses on establishing the prevalence of recent occupational injuries, as well as their associated factors and predictors among food industry workers. Understanding these issues is critical for improving worker safety, lowering economic burdens, ensuring legal compliance, mitigating public health risks, informing effective policies, and promoting long-term industry sustainability. The research findings can be used by policymakers and stakeholders to develop effective intervention programmes in reducing injury among high-risk groups of food industry workers.
Methods
Study design and study location
A cross-sectional study was conducted among food industry workers in Selangor. The total population in Selangor is currently estimated at 6.54 million citizens and 0.5 million non-citizens, with 3.71 million males and 3.32 million females [18]. Fig 1 displays the schematic diagram of the study design. The inclusion criteria for this study were as follows: i) food industry workers of all positions, including in-house delivery and dispatch workers, ii) citizens and non-citizens, and iii) workers of all types of restaurants and beverage shops located in Selangor. The exclusion criteria were as follows: i) food industry workers who have not given their consent to participate, and ii) workers who were part of third-party delivery apps, such as Grab and Foodpanda.
Sampling frame and sample size
The required sample size for each potentially associated factor was estimated and the highest estimated number was used. The sample size for this study was calculated using the two-proportions formula. Accordingly, the required sample size for this study to obtain 95% precision and 80% power was estimated to be 285 based on the investigated factors associated with occupational injuries [19]. The final sample size was calculated as 342 upon adjusting for a 20% dropout rate.
Study instruments and data collection
A self-administered questionnaire in two language versions (English and Malay) in Google Form was used in this study. The questionnaire was divided into three sections. Section 1 consisted of 13 mixed questions that were designed to collect relevant data on the respondents’ sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle factors. Section 2 comprised 1 question each on the recent and type of occupational injury. Section 3 consisted of 12 subsections on latent and observed variables of occupational factors. The latent variables comprised knowledge, compliance, safety management, safety training, and safety culture, whereas the observed variables of occupational factors included physical exposure, chemical exposure, ergonomic exposure, rest at work, working status, working hours, and years of working experience. The Cronbach alpha values for the latent variables ranged from 0.70 to 0.87, which are all considered acceptable.
A multistage sampling technique was used for data collection. The first stage of sampling was the selection of two districts from a list of sample frames of nine districts in Selangor. The second stage of sampling was the selection of 342 food premises from the list of sample frames of food premises from the selected districts.
The respondents were assessed for eligibility before being invited to participate in this study. This method was selected to obtain a workable sample size. Data collection was performed gradually from May to June 2023 until the required sample size was obtained. The respondents were approached physically at food and beverage outlets. The objective of this study was explained to each outlet manager and permission to approach the employees was obtained.
Data analysis
The collected data from the questionnaires were analysed using SPSS software (IBM SPSS version 25.0). Numerical data were assessed for normality using descriptive statistics and presented as median and interquartile range because they were not normally distributed. For the categorical data, frequency and percentage were used to describe the respondents’ characteristics. A two-directional test was conducted for all the hypotheses with the significance level (α) at 0.05. The Chi-square and Fisher’s Exact Tests were used to determine the association between the prevalence of occupational injuries and all the categorical independent variables. The associations among variables with numerical data were examined using a non-parametric test, as they were not normally distributed. All potential variables were subsequently tested using Simple Logistic Regression (SLR) and Multiple Logistic Regression (MLR) to determine the significant predictors and adjusted odds ratio (aOR) at 95% Confidence Intervals (CI).
Ethics statement
Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee for Research Involving Human Subjects of Universiti Putra Malaysia (JKEUPM– 2023–061) on 3rd March 2023. Consent was obtained from each participant using an online consent form, following their verbal agreement to participate in this study before administering the questionnaire. No minors were involved in this study and participants were allowed to withdraw at any point without any penalty.
Results
A total of 250 responses were received from 342 distributed samples, with an overall response rate of 73.0%. The three numerical variables, namely age, number of working years, and monthly salary were not normally distributed.
Table 1 depicts that the prevalence of recent occupational injuries among food industry workers is at 44.8%. The majority of food industry workers who experienced recent occupational injury have reported getting cut (23.2%), followed by fall (15.2%), burn (14.3%), lower back pain (10.7%), and sprain (7.1%), as shown in Table 2.
Descriptively, the respondents’ median age is 26 (11%), with the majority being male (57.2%), Malay (56.4%), a citizen (90.8%), and having attained secondary education (49.6%) (Table 2). Regarding their health behaviour, 32% of the respondents were smokers and 5.6% reported they would smoke at work; 22% of them vape and 6.4% reported they would vape at work. Meanwhile, 14.4% of the respondents reported that they consume alcohol and 3.6% reported that they would drink at work.
As shown in Table 3, most respondents have poor knowledge (70.8%), poor compliance (73.2%), good management (63.2%), good training (60.8%), and good work safety culture (59.2%). In addition, a higher proportion of the respondents are exposed to physical (85.2%), chemical (64.0%), and ergonomic hazards (79.2%). More than 60.0% of the respondents claimed to have adequate rest (70.8%), were permanent workers (74.0%), and worked long working hours of more than 45 hours per week (63.6%). A sub-analysis of two items under the work safety culture revealed that 37.2% and 42.0% of respondents agreed and strongly agreed that safety training was provided to all workers in the food industry. Nevertheless, a substantial percentage of respondents agreed (23.6%) and strongly agreed (24.0%) to pay for the cost of safety training, if it is offered.
The association between the prevalence of recent occupational industries and respondents’ characteristics and occupational factors is presented in Tables 3 and 4, respectively. Among all the respondents’ characteristics, only alcohol consumption status was associated with the occurrence of occupational injuries, whereas occupational factors such as poor knowledge (p = 0.031), poor compliance (p = 0.021), poor safety management (p = 0.021), poor safety training (p = 0.002), poor safety culture (p = 0.003), physical exposure (p < 0.001), and ergonomic exposure (p = 0.009) were significant.
Table 5 shows the SLR analyses, indicating significant associations between the prevalence of recent occupational injuries and alcohol consumption (cOR = 3.32, 95% CI = 1.101, 3.558, p = 0.022), poor safety management (cOR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.096, 3.100, p = 0.021), poor safety training (cOR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.361, 3.838, p = 0.002), poor safety culture (cOR = 2.14, 95% CI 1.281, 3.580, p = 0.004), physical exposure (cOR = 6.46, 95% CI = 2.425, 17.214, p < 0.001), and ergonomic exposure (cOR = 2.37, 95% CI = 1.223, 4.590, p = 0.011). In the MLR model (Table 6), the predictors for recent occupational injuries among food industry workers were Malay (aOR = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.116, 6.035, p = 0.027), alcohol consumption (aOR = 5.31, 95% CI = 2.042,13.779, p = 0.001), poor knowledge (aOR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.059, 3.691, p = 0.032), poor safety culture (aOR = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.372, 4.342, p = 0.002), and exposure to physical hazard (aOR = 8.88, 95% CI = 3.031, 26.014, p < 0.001).
Discussion
This study assessed the prevalence and predictors of recent occupational injuries among food industry workers in Selangor, Malaysia. A relatively moderate response rate (73.0%) was achieved for the data collection given that most of the respondents completed the survey during their peak working hours and busy schedules.
Descriptively, most of the food industry workers in this study were young adults (median age of 26), Malays (56.4%), Malaysian citizens (90.8%), and had attended a secondary school (49.6%) (Table 2). Young adults are more likely to constitute the larger proportion of food industry workers since the service requires physical activities, long working hours and tasks that may not be effectively executed by teenagers and aged individuals. It is also not surprising that Malays and Malaysians were predominant since this study was conducted in various food service outlets in Selangor. The demand for low to medium-skilled workers in the food service outlets may also explain the higher proportion of respondents with only secondary school qualifications.
The prevalence of recent injuries among food industry workers was 44.8% (Table 1), which is lower than the overall prevalence (73.5%) of work-related injuries among workers of industry in Malaysia [20] but similar to a study conducted in Greece with 44.3% of recent injuries among restaurant workers [15]. The substantial gap in findings might be explained by the fact that the research population was different. This study only included workers in the food industry, whereas the study among workers of industry in Malaysia [20] included workers from other high-risk industries and a broader research population from other states in Malaysia. Thus, the present findings should only be used to refer to food industry workers for an accurate representation. As shown in Table 2, the most common types of injuries reported were cuts, falls, burns, lower back pain, and sprains, which aligned with data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia [6]. Cuts and burns may arise from the handling of cooking-related utensils and exposure to fire accidents during food preparation [15]. Lower back pain and sprains, on the other hand, may stem from prolonged standing time and awkward postures portrayed by food industry workers during long working hours.
Several factors were identified as predictors of recent occupational injuries among the surveyed food industry workers. Specifically, this study found that alcohol consumption increases the risk of experiencing recent occupational injury up to 5.3 times compared to those who do not consume alcohol (Table 6). This finding is supported by previous studies. A study on alcohol consumption and related harms reported that over 40% of Australian workers consumed alcohol at risk or high-risk levels of injuries [21]. Similarly, data from four national alcohol surveys between 2000 and 2015 found that the risk of injury would increase at relatively low levels of alcohol consumption [22]. Alcohol-attributable injury accounted for approximately one-tenth of the total impact of alcohol on health at 9.9% and 12.6% in low- and high-income countries, respectively [23, 24]. This phenomenon can be explained by levels of alcohol consumption that can impair alertness, motor skills, coordination, cognitive function, and reaction time. These impairments can lead to errors, risk-taking behaviour, impaired communication, and teamwork breakdown [25–27], thereby contributing to accidents and injuries among workers.
Worker knowledge was identified as a significant factor associated with recent occupational injuries among food industry workers in Selangor. Respondents with poor knowledge demonstrated 2 times higher odds of experiencing recent occupational injury compared to those with good knowledge (Table 6). This finding aligns with a previous study that revealed a strong correlation between worker knowledge and occupational injury prevention [28]. This event can be explained as workers with higher levels of occupational safety and health (OSH) knowledge displayed better hazard recognition skills, practised greater safety compliance, and experienced fewer workplace injuries. When workers possess knowledge about workplace hazards, they are more capable of identifying risks and taking necessary precautions to prevent accidents. Adequate knowledge enables workers to follow safety procedures, utilise personal protective equipment (PPE), and actively participate in risk assessment processes [29].
Poor safety culture was identified as a predictor of recent occupational injuries among food industry workers. This study found that a poor safety culture can increase the risk of workers experiencing recent occupational injuries up to 2.4 times compared to those that have a good safety culture. Similar results were reported in a study among manufacturing companies in which employers’ lack of knowledge about safety issues, employees’ lack of cooperation and engagement in safety, and a lack of belief in the use of PPE were the contributing factors to injuries [30]. Another study involving small and medium-scale flour mill workers emphasised the significance of a weak safety culture and reporting mechanisms in relation to workplace injuries [31]. The odds of accidents and injuries can be increased by inadequate safety communication channels and a disregard for safety precautions due to a lack of emphasis on safety in the corporate culture. Establishing an efficient safety reporting process and promoting a strong safety culture that values preventative safety measures are crucial for preventing workplace injuries [31–33].
In this study, food industry workers who were exposed to physical hazards faced 8.9 times higher risks of experiencing recent occupational injuries compared to those who were not exposed to physical hazards (Table 6). This finding is consistent with a previous study conducted among commercial restaurant kitchens that demonstrated a significant association between physical exposure and occupational injuries among food industry workers [34]. Their study revealed that kitchen duties that require strenuous physical labour or prolonged periods of uncomfortable posture might lead to slip-and-fall incidents or back injuries among workers. A similar scenario was observed in the present study as falls, slips and cuts accounted for the majority of types of recent occupational injuries reported by the respondents. These findings underscored the importance of addressing physical exposure as a key factor in promoting worker safety and preventing injuries in this industry [34].
This study also found that Malay workers were significantly associated with recent occupational injuries. The Malay food industry workers were 2.6 times at more risk of experiencing recent occupational injuries relative to workers of other ethnicities (Table 6). The importance of ethnic diversity and socio-economic status among different races have been highlighted in a few previous studies as risk factors for occupational injuries [35, 36]. A study on racial and ethnic differences in the frequency of workplace injuries suggested that disparities in economic opportunities can expose groups of minorities to greater risks of workplace injury and disability [35]. Similarly, occupational injuries among workers from different ethnicities concluded that the high-risk nature of certain occupations and the presence of ethnic minorities in these high-risk occupations have contributed to the increased rate of fatal occupational injuries. Thus, unskilled occupations warrant effective safety training programmes and enforcement of laws to ensure safer workplaces [36]. Nevertheless, this finding should be interpreted with caution given that the majority of food industry workers recruited in the present study were Malays.
Further analysis of the safety culture component in this study shows a significant agreement among respondents, with 37.2% agreeing and 42.0% strongly agreeing that all workers in the food industry should receive safety training. This agreement highlights the industry’s joint aim for improved safety measures and training, highlighting the importance of proactive safety measures in reducing the risk of workplace injuries. Furthermore, a substantial percentage of participants, with 23.6% agreeing and 24.0% strongly agreeing, are willing to bear the financial burden for safety training if such programs were available. This willingness signifies a commendable commitment to personal and workplace safety and bolsters the argument for the urgent need to make safety training more accessible, easing the financial burden on individual workers. These findings collectively form a compelling case for policymakers and stakeholders to develop intervention programs that meet the expressed demands of food industry workers, ultimately enhancing safety and well-being within the food industry.
Limitations and strengths
There are several limitations to be considered when interpreting the findings from this study. The absence of incentives for the respondents, constraints imposed by peak work hours, limitations to specific geographical areas, and potential biases associated with the research design have all contributed to the limitations of this study. These factors may affect the generalisability, validity, and reliability of the results. Future research with larger and more diverse samples, offering incentives for respondents, and considering off-peak data collection hours are needed to strengthen the findings. Addressing these issues will enhance the generalisability and applicability of the results to the broader population.
Despite the aforementioned limitations, this study has several notable strengths. The comprehensive approach to investigating various factors associated with occupational injuries, including both individual and occupational factors, has provided a more holistic understanding of the subject. By examining multiple dimensions, this study can contribute to a better grasp of the relationships between the factors and predictors of recent occupational injuries among food industry workers. Additionally, the direct and personal approach to contacting respondents facilitated easier access, improved engagement, and led to potentially higher response rates. This approach enhanced the quality of data collection and increased the validity and dependability of the findings. Furthermore, the use of a brief and simple questionnaire minimised participants’ cognitive load and allowed for precise and understandable responses, which made this study more accessible and applicable to a wider audience.
Recommendations
The findings can provide valuable insights into the predictors of recent occupational injuries among food industry workers, but further research is necessary to validate and expand upon these results. By addressing the limitations and building upon the strengths, future studies can elucidate occupational injuries and support the development of effective interventions to improve workplace safety and protect the well-being of food and beverage workers. This study strongly recommends the collaboration between the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the Social Security Organization (SOCSO) to develop comprehensive and targeted interventions aimed at addressing the specific predictors identified in this research.
First, the organisations highlighted above need to address the issue of alcohol consumption effectively. Implementing stringent policies and awareness campaigns that discourage alcohol consumption can significantly reduce the likelihood of workplace incidents and contribute towards a safer working environment. Second, emphasis should be placed on improving workers’ knowledge and compliance with safety protocols. Collaborative efforts should be made to organise regular training sessions and workshops conducted by NIOSH to educate workers about potential hazards and instil a culture of safety consciousness. By enhancing workers’ understanding of safety practices, employers can foster a workforce that is more proactive in preventing accidents and injuries. Third, creating a positive work safety culture is vital in cultivating an environment where safety is prioritised. DOSH, NIOSH, and SOCSO should jointly launch awareness campaigns that encourage open communication, reporting of safety concerns, and the recognition of safe practices. A culture that values safety will lead to increased compliance with safety regulations and promote a collective responsibility for maintaining a secure workplace.
Furthermore, the relevant organisations need to focus on implementing effective control measures for physical exposure hazards, with particular attention to the needs of Malay workers. By developing industry-specific guidelines and standards, DOSH, NIOSH, and SOCSO can cater to the unique risks faced by different sectors in ensuring that safety measures are tailored to the specific working conditions of workers. By collectively prioritising these recommended factors and drawing on the expertise of each organisation, DOSH, NIOSH, and SOCSO can synergise their efforts in creating safer work environments across various industries in Malaysia. This collaborative approach will not only minimise the risk of occupational injuries but also demonstrate a proactive commitment towards ensuring the well-being and safety of the nation’s workforce.
Conclusion
This study revealed a high prevalence of occupational injuries among food industry workers. The findings highlighted the importance of addressing alcohol consumption, improving worker knowledge, enhancing work safety culture, and better control measures on physical exposure hazards, especially among Malay food industry workers. By prioritising these factors, employers can create safer work environments and minimise the risk of occupational injuries.
Data management
Online questionnaires were used for pseudonymised data collection. Study data and personal information were stored using Microsoft Excel. These data were transferred to the records and documentation system under Universiti Putra Malaysia. The data will be destroyed five years later. Additionally, any study respondents who have requested to be briefed about the findings will be informed via an email correspondence
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Universiti Putra Malaysia for providing this study with the relevant resources. The authors would also like to acknowledge and thank all food industry workers involved in this study for their support and cooperation.
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