Paparan Bahaya Kerja dan Keluhan Kesehatan pada Pekerja Gula Aren Tradisional di Desa Lalong

Occupational Hazard Exposure and Health Complaints among Traditional Palm Sugar Workers in Lalong Village

Abstract

Pekerja gula aren tradisional melakukan produksi secara manual menggunakan tungku berbahan bakar kayu yang menghasilkan paparan panas dan asap biomassa serta aktivitas kerja berulang. Penelitian ini bertujuan menggambarkan paparan bahaya kerja dan keluhan kesehatan pada pekerja gula aren tradisional di Desa Lalong, Kecamatan Tinangkung Utara. Penelitian menggunakan desain observasional deskriptif dengan total sampling terhadap 49 pekerja. Data diperoleh melalui wawancara terstruktur, observasi, dan pengukuran suhu lingkungan, kemudian dianalisis secara univariat. Seluruh pekerja diamati berada pada jarak ≤1 m dari tungku dan seluruh lokasi yang diukur memiliki suhu lingkungan >28°C. Asap biomassa teramati di seluruh lokasi dan seluruh pekerja melaporkan terhirup asap selama produksi. Seluruh pekerja memenuhi sedikitnya satu indikator yang digunakan dalam kategori komposit bahaya ergonomi, 4 pekerja (8,2%) bekerja >8 jam/hari, 25 pekerja (51%) mengangkat kuali secara manual, dan seluruh pekerja melakukan gerakan berulang pada tangan dan/atau lengan. Permukaan lantai tidak rata ditemukan pada 20 lokasi (40,8%). Keluhan yang dilaporkan meliputi keluhan pernapasan pada 28 pekerja (57,1%), muskuloskeletal pada 30 pekerja (61,2%), dan keluhan terkait panas pada seluruh pekerja (100%). Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan perlunya perhatian terhadap pengendalian sumber panas dan asap, penataan area kerja, serta praktik kerja ergonomis.

Traditional palm sugar workers perform production activities manually using wood-fired stoves, resulting in exposure to heat and biomass smoke as well as repetitive work activities. This study aimed to describe occupational hazard exposure and health complaints among traditional palm sugar workers in Lalong Village, North Tinangkung District. A descriptive observational design was used with total sampling of 49 workers. Data were collected through structured interviews, direct observation, and workplace temperature measurements and analyzed using univariate analysis. All workers were observed within ≤1 m of the stove, and all measured production sites had workplace temperatures >28°C. Biomass smoke was observed at all sites, and all workers reported inhaling smoke during production. All workers met at least one ergonomic hazard indicator, 4 workers (8.2%) worked >8 hours/day, 25 workers (51%) manually lifted the cooking pan, and all workers performed repetitive hand and/or arm movements. Uneven flooring was found at 20 sites (40.8%). Reported complaints included respiratory complaints in 28 workers (57.1%), musculoskeletal complaints in 30 workers (61.2%), and heat-related complaints in all workers (100%). These findings highlight the need for attention to heat and smoke source control, workplace arrangement, and ergonomic work practices.