The Impact Of Medical Solid Waste Treatment On Incinerator Officers At H. Adam Malik Hospital In 2014

The Impact of Medical Solid Waste Treatment on Incinerator Officers at H. Adam Malik Hospital in 2014

The management of medical solid waste at H. Adam Malik Hospital presents a significant challenge for incinerator officers. These officers often report various complaints, including wounds caused by syringe needles, wounds from broken glass, and difficulty breathing due to smoke or gas produced from the burning of medical solid waste. This situation highlights the need for special attention to occupational safety and health (K3) in the hospital environment, particularly in the management of medical waste.

Medical solid waste is a hazardous waste that requires special handling and disposal. The improper management of medical solid waste can lead to serious health risks for incinerator officers, including work accidents and diseases. In 2014, a study was conducted to analyze the impact of K3 on incinerator officers at H. Adam Malik Hospital. The study aimed to identify the risks faced by incinerator officers and to provide recommendations for improving their working conditions.

The study used a qualitative approach, collecting data through observation and in-depth interviews with two incinerator officers as samples. The data analysis was conducted using a domain approach to understand the phenomenon as a whole.

The results of the study showed that the incinerator officers had work accidents six times a year. The details of the accidents were four injuries due to syringe needles and two wounds from broken glass. This discovery is striking and causes concern, considering that the incinerator officers work with damaged equipment, inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE), and the absence of special containers to store medical waste before burning.

The study highlights the high risk faced by incinerator officers in terms of work accidents and diseases due to unsafe working conditions. The use of PPE, such as masks, is often ignored by officers because it can cause difficulty breathing. This underlines the need for a more comfortable and suitable development of PPE for use over a long period without sacrificing safety.

The findings of this study show the urgency to increase attention to occupational safety and health at H. Adam Malik Hospital. Management involvement in providing training and complying with OSH regulations can have a positive impact on the health and safety of incinerator officers. Implementing sanctions for officers who violate the procedure is also an important step in ensuring that work safety is not only a policy, but also a consistent practice.

To minimize the risks faced by incinerator officers, the following recommendations are made:

• Regular health checks for incinerator officers
• Establishing clear regulations regarding occupational safety and health in the management of medical solid waste
• Structuring a better procedure in separating sharp waste from non-tajal waste
• Developing more comfortable and suitable PPE for use over a long period without sacrificing safety
• Implementing sanctions for officers who violate the procedure

Through a systematic and comprehensive approach in managing medical solid waste, it is expected that the welfare of incinerator officers can increase and the risks faced can be minimized. Thus, H. Adam Malik Hospital can be an example in managing good and responsible medical waste, protecting the health of officers who are at high risk in their work.

The study has some limitations, including the small sample size and the qualitative approach used. Future studies can use a larger sample size and a mixed-methods approach to provide more comprehensive findings.

The study has implications for hospital management and policymakers. It highlights the need for attention to occupational safety and health in the management of medical solid waste. The study also emphasizes the importance of providing training and complying with OSH regulations to ensure the health and safety of incinerator officers.

In conclusion, the study highlights the impact of medical solid waste treatment on incinerator officers at H. Adam Malik Hospital in 2014. The study shows the urgency to increase attention to occupational safety and health at the hospital. Management involvement in providing training and complying with OSH regulations can have a positive impact on the health and safety of incinerator officers. Implementing sanctions for officers who violate the procedure is also an important step in ensuring that work safety is not only a policy, but also a consistent practice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Impact of Medical Solid Waste Treatment on Incinerator Officers at H. Adam Malik Hospital in 2014

A: The main problem faced by incinerator officers at H. Adam Malik Hospital is the improper management of medical solid waste, which leads to work accidents and diseases.

A: The common accidents faced by incinerator officers include injuries due to syringe needles, wounds from broken glass, and difficulty breathing due to smoke or gas produced from the burning of medical solid waste.

A: The causes of these accidents include damaged equipment, inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE), and the absence of special containers to store medical waste before burning.

A: Hospital management plays a crucial role in preventing these accidents by providing regular health checks for incinerator officers, establishing clear regulations regarding occupational safety and health, and structuring a better procedure in separating sharp waste from non-tajal waste.

A: PPE is essential in preventing accidents, but it can also cause difficulty breathing if not designed properly. Therefore, it is essential to develop more comfortable and suitable PPE for use over a long period without sacrificing safety.

A: The consequences of not implementing occupational safety and health regulations include work accidents and diseases, which can lead to financial losses, damage to reputation, and even legal liabilities.

A: To minimize the risks faced by incinerator officers, it is essential to implement a systematic and comprehensive approach in managing medical solid waste, including regular health checks, clear regulations, and proper PPE.

A: This study highlights the importance of occupational safety and health in the management of medical solid waste and emphasizes the need for hospital management and policymakers to take action to prevent work accidents and diseases.

A: The implications of this study for hospital management and policymakers are to prioritize occupational safety and health in the management of medical solid waste, provide regular training and education, and implement clear regulations and policies to prevent work accidents and diseases.

A: Future directions for research in this area include conducting larger-scale studies, using mixed-methods approaches, and exploring the impact of occupational safety and health regulations on the health and safety of incinerator officers.