Published date: Jun 19 2018

Journal Title: KnE Life Sciences

Issue title: International Conference of Occupational Health and Safety (ICOHS 2017)

Pages: 225–236

DOI: 10.18502/kls.v4i5.2555

A R Tualeka

R N Faizarahmanidafaiza@gmail.com

Dewangga .

Often found in industries, although the concentration of exposure to chemicals in industry was smaller than the chemical threshold value according to the Minister of Manpower and Transmigration of the Republic of Indonesia No. 13 year of 2011 but has had an effect on the workers [1]. The purpose of this study was to determine the safe concentration of benzene in the shoe industry home work environment. The research method used was descriptive qualitative research by describing benzene concentration in work environment, respiration rate of worker, body weight, duration of work per day, frequency of exposure in one year and characteristic of benzene risk to worker. The method used to measure benzene vapor level in the working environment was Flame Ionization Detector chromatography, worker’s weight was measured by needle scales, the respiration rate of the worker was calculated using the formula of weight conversion to the respiration rate; length of work per day, working frequency per year, duration of work and the use of insurance for workers was done by interview. The sample size was 20 people. The data analysis used was descriptive by determining the level of risk of benzene exposure on the worker as well as the safe concentration of benzene in the work environment. The results showed that RQ (Risk Quotient) 60 percent of workers > 1, meaning that 60 percent
of workers were not safe to work due to exposure to benzene. Meanwhile, the safe concentration of benzene, 0.3 mg/m3 , was very small compared to the benzene threshold value in the working environment according to the Minister of Manpower and Transmigration of the Republic of Indonesia No. 13 of Year 2011 amounted to 0.5
ppm or 1.59 mg/m3 . From the results of the study, it can be concluded that most shoe home industry workers were not safe against exposure to benzene. The safe concentration of benzene in the shoe industry home was 0.3 mg/m3 smaller than 2000 times compared to the benzene threshold value according to the Minister of
Manpower and Transmigration of the Republic of Indonesia No. 13 of Year 2011.

Keywords: benzene, risk quotient, safe concentration, work environment

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