Working conditions:
During the participatory process, the workers and the
stakeholders brainstormed and discussed possible solutions to
their work-related problems. They suggested improvements
tips for each work group, using local wisdom and the WISE
technique including installing heat barriers for the ceramic
making group, and increasing the lighting condition for the
plastic weaving group, blanket making group, and pandanus
weaving group.
High temperature working condition is considered a serious
problem for the ceramic workers-especially for those working
near a ceramic furnace. Thus, the stakeholders introduced
heat barriers between the furnaces and the workers. Using
information shared in the group discussions, heat barriers
were designed and made by the local workers. The wet bulb,
dry bulb, and globe temperatures (WBGT) were measured to
estimate the Heat Stress Indexes at the workplace. The results
demonstrated that the introduction of heat barriers helped to
protect the workers from the heat radiation caused by the
furnace, due to a decreased in the rates of WBGT (see Table
4).
Lighting levels in the plastic weaving workplace areas
which holds plastic cutting and plastic weaving machineries,
before the improvement measures were emplaced, were 742
and 750 Lux respectively. After the skylight installation and
window cleaning, the results showed that the lighting levels in
the working areas increased to 905 and 915 Lux which was
even higher than the level set by governmental standards.
Lighting levels in the blanket making areas which holds
cloth cutting and blanket stuffing equipments, before the
improvement measures were emplaced, were 450 and 400
Lux which were at the governmental standard level. After the
improvement, the results showed that the lighting levels in the
blanket making areas increased to 905 and 910 Lux.
Before the improvement, the lighting level in the blanket
sewing area was 420 Lux, which was under the governmental
standard level (the standard level is 800 Lux). Lighting
standards vary according to factors such as the length of time required to perform the task. After appropriate lighting was
installed in the blanket sewing area, the results show that the
lighting level increased to 900 Lux which was higher than the
governmental standard level.
The main problem of the pandanus weaving group was
related to the lighting condition. The processes of pandanus
weaving consist of four parts, including pandanus clipping,
ironing, soaking/drying and weaving. The weaving takes the
longest time in the process. The lighting levels in the work
place in the pandanus clipping area, ironing area and
soaking/drying area were 682, 660 and 675 lux,
respectively. These lighting levels were in line with the
standard level (400 lux). However, the weaving area was
found to be at 665 lux (the standard level at 800 lux). After
a skylight and general lighting were installed, the lighting
level in the hand-weaving area was increased to 880 lux
which was the acceptable level according to the guidelines.
The above improvement measures were concrete solutions
that were derived from the decision making discussions shared
by every participant. The results were shown in Table 4.