Hazard Identification And Risk Assessment In MS Bubble Laundry

Abstract

Every workplace contains potential hazards that can cause occupational injuries or illness; therefore, systematic hazard identification and risk assessment are important components of occupational safety and health management. This study aimed to identify workplace hazards and assess their risk levels at Ms Bubble Laundry using the Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Risk Control (HIRARC) approach. A qualitative case-study design was applied through direct observation and interviews of laundry activities, followed by assessment of likelihood and severity. The observed activities included receiving, sorting, loading, washing, drying, hanging, ironing, folding, and packaging clothes. The identified hazards comprised biological, physical, chemical, electrical, and ergonomic hazards. The risk assessment showed that most identified hazards were within low-to-high risk ranges, with notable concerns associated with biological exposure during handling of dirty clothes, falls and manual handling during drying activities, heat and fire hazards during ironing, chemical irritation, and ergonomic fatigue. Risk controls should prioritize hazard elimination or engineering measures where feasible, followed by administrative controls and appropriate personal protective equipment. The findings provide a practical basis for strengthening occupational safety practices in small-scale laundry operations.