Risk quotient (RQ) analysis in workers exposed to respirable dust in ceramic industry

Ceramics are produced from mashed clay, made using high temperatures with long durability so that the clay powder becomes very dry, triggering the spread of dust in the work environment. The very small dust, when inhaled, is able to enter the lungs, causing health problems to workers. To identify health problems that can occur to the workers, risk analysis is needed to determine the level of risk in the workers. This study aims to analyze the risk of workers exposed to respirated dust in ceramics industry. This study was an observational study using a cross sectional approach. The population in this study were all workers who worked in the production sector in ceramics industry comprising 30 workers. The sample in this study was the study population, consisting of 30 workers. Exposure to respirable dust on the respondents was measured using total dust sampling, indicating that 53.3% of the respondents had values exceeding the threshold <2 mg/m3 according to Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Regulation No. 13 of 2011, concerning Threshold Value of Chemical Factors in Work Environment. The analysis showed that the RQ (realtime) values ranged from 0.13-1.06 mg/m3/year. Measurement of the level of risk based on RQ value showed that 13.3% of the workers had an RQ value of>1, which means that they had a risk of being unsafe against exposure to respirated dust, so that they were at risk of developing health problems. Actions that can be taken to minimize the adverse effects of dust in work environment are by controlling dust at the source, using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at work, and periodic physiological pulmonary health examination.