The effect of increasing physical workload and environmental noise exposure on physiological stress among textile industry workers in the CARE covid-19

Abstract

In June-September 2021, Surakarta experienced a long dry season as a result of global climate change, creating high temperatures that interfere with working comfort. In the textile industry, these conditions can make the workplace hotter than usual. In addition, the presence of very high noise and increased physical workload can trigger physiological stress events for weaving workers. The Community Activities Restrictions Enforcement (CARE) throughout Indonesia, restriction of people's movement to daily work, especially for unvaccinated workers. This condition has an impact on the activities of the textile industry sector, restrictions on the number of workers, trigger a shortage of manpower, forcing available workers to carry out more overtime to get the company's production targets. The increase in overtime causes workers to experience an increase in physical workload than usual. This study is to investigate the direct impact of this phenomenon and corrective action analysis can be carried out. This cross-sectional study included 47 workers of the weaving section in IT Co. Ltd Surakarta, Indonesia using a sound level meter and fitness tracker to measured physical workload, environmental noise, and physiological stress. This study showed physical workload (p=0.005, r=0.745) and environmental noise exposure (p=0.021, r=0,886) has a significant correlation toward physiological stress. Noise and workload control by using a hierarchy of control are urgently needed to reduce the incidence of physiological stress in the workplace.