Occupational health and safety in flour Mills: A research and risk assessment

Abstract

Flour mills are one of the workplaces with occupational health hazards due to irregular workplaces and environments where insufficient attention is paid to workers’ safety. In this context, considering the extent of difficulties faced by workers in flour mills, hazards and risks that could affect the health and occupational safety of workers were investigated in a sample of flour mills in Iğdır province. The data obtained as a result of the research was ranked using the matrix method. The study identified 68 specific risks, of which 38% were identified as unacceptable risks requiring immediate action and 33% as risks requiring medium-term action. The results show that among the factors negatively affecting the health of workers, the respiratory hazard level of wheat dust with RS:15 (l:3, s:5) and the explosion hazard with RS:20 (l:4, s:5) occupy significant positions. Despite the emphasis on the importance of hygiene standards, serious deficiencies were identified, such as RS:20, which is considered high risk. In addition, the presence of many machines, such as conveyors, silos, compressors and rollers, was found to increase the risks on the system in the range of RS:20-25, which could lead to serious injury or death. Bacteria and microorganisms, such as RS:16-18, proliferate due to the low availability of personal hygiene facilities in the factory. For each identified risk, the necessary control measures are proposed and it is emphasized that protective measures should also be taken even after the implementation of these measures. Among the factors that negatively affect the health of workers in flour mills are the lack of use of personal protective equipment, working in dirty conditions, the presence of elements that can cause respiratory problems, as well as injuries related to carrying heavy loads on slippery floors and using unprotected machinery.