Identificación y evaluación de los factores de riesgos ocupacionales: mecánicos, físicos, químicos y ergonómicos en el área de producción de una empresa de productos químicos en la ciudad de Cuenca

Abstract

The safety and health of employees are fundamental aspects for companies and institutions, since every work activity involves a health risk, which varies according to the nature of the activity. In this study conducted in a chemical products company in Cuenca, the mechanical, physical, chemical and ergonomic risks present in the production area were evaluated, where various descriptive methodologies were used to develop risk matrices based on the Colombian Technical Guide GTC45. In addition, the Nordic Kuorinka and Cornell questionnaires were used to evaluate ergonomic risks, together with the REBA methodology to analyze postures. The COSHH Essentials methodology was also applied to assess the risk of exposure to chemical substances. The results indicated that most of the identified risks are ergonomic, with a risk level III, identifying the need for “improvement if possible”. Musculoskeletal discomfort was observed in the dorsal/lumbar area and hands, attributed to the handling of heavy loads and repetition of tasks. The postural analysis highlighted that the weight of the load handled by each worker was an important risk factor. As for the products used, sodium dichromate was identified as the most hazardous, requiring the “intervention of a specialized technician for its handling”. Finally, a comprehensive risk prevention plan was prepared based on the results obtained to reduce or eliminate risk factors and was submitted to the relevant authorities for implementation