Introduction This study aims to investigate the relationship between work-related physical and psychosocial characteristics and complaints of the neck, shoulder and forearm/hands. Methods Data were used from a prospective Dutch cohort study among computer office workers with a follow-up period of 2 years. The study was conducted among 264 computer users. Physical and psychosocial risk factors were tested to predict the occurrence of neck, shoulder and forearm/hands complaints. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the association between risk factors and outcome variables.Results The 2 year follow-up prevalence rates with 95% CI for neck complaints were 0.31 (0.28-0.37), for shoulder complaints 0.33 (0.27-0.39) and for forearm/hands complaints 0.21 (0.14-0.28). Four main predictors for the occurrence of neck and shoulder complaints were identified: (1)

PurposeFoodborne diseases are common in the developing countries due to the predominant poor food handling and sanitation practices, particularly as a result of inadequate food safety laws, weak regulatory structures, and inadequate funding as well as a lack of appropriate education for food-handlers. The most frequently involved foods in disease outbreaks are of animal origin. However, in spite of the adequate legislation and laws governing the abattoir operation in Malaysia, compliance with food safety requirements during meat processing and waste disposal is inadequate. Therefore, the present study was designed to assess the food safety knowledge, attitude, and practice toward compliance with abattoir laws among the workers in Terengganu, Malaysia.Materials and methodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted using simple random sampling technique in the six districts of Terengganu: two districts were used for the pilot study and the remaining four were used for the main study. One hundred sixty-five abattoir workers from the selected districts were interviewed using a structured questionnaire.ResultsThe mean and standard deviation of knowledge, attitude, and practice scores of the workers were 6.02 and 1.954, 45.16 and 4.496, and 18.03 and 3.186, respectively. The majority of the workers (38.8%) had a low level of knowledge and 91.7% had a positive attitude, while 77.7% had a good practice of compliance. Sex had a significant association with the level of knowledge (P<0.001) and practice (P=0.044) among the workers. The females had a higher level of knowledge than the males, while the males had a better practice of compliance than females. Similarly, knowledge also had a significant (P=0.009) association with the level of practice toward compliance with abattoir laws among the workers.ConclusionThe abattoir workers had a positive attitude and good practice, but a low level of knowledge toward compliance with the abattoir laws. Therefore, public awareness, workshops, and seminars relevant to the abattoir operations should be encouraged.

Background: Complaints of the arm, neck and/or shoulders (CANS) in general and computer-related disorders in particular affect millions of computer office workers in Western developed countries. However, with the widespread use of computer systems in developing countries, the associated musculoskeletal complaints are yet to be investigated.

Pembelajaran sistem pangkalan peraturan kabur menggunakan algoritma genetik mempunyai masa depan yang cerah bagi menyelesaikan beberapa masalah. Lojik kabur menawarkan cara sederhana bagi menyimpulkan maklumat input yang kasar, kabur, cacat atau tidak jelas. Model lojik kabur adalah berasaskan kaedah–kaedah empirik bergantung kepada pengalaman operator berbanding dengan pengetahuan teknikal daripada sistem. Dalam metod lojik kabur, sebarang input yang munasabah dapat diproses dan sebilangan output dapat dijana meskipun penakrifan pangkalan peraturan secara cepat dapat menjadi rumit sekiranya terlalu banyak input dan output yang dipilih untuk sebuah penggunaan. Bergantung kepada sistem, semakin rumit input dan output yang ingin diselesaikan oleh sistem, maka akan semakin banyak jumlah bilangan peraturan dan kerumitan tetapi juga akan menambah mutu kawalan dari sistem. Banyak kaedah telah dicadangkan bagi menjana peraturan kabur. Idea asas daripada penyelidikan ini adalah untuk mempelajari serta menjana peraturan paling optimum yang diperlukan bagi mengawal input tanpa mengurangi mutu kawalan. Kertas kerja ini yang mencadangkan penjanaan peraturan kabur menggunakan penggugusan subtraktif pada lojik kabur Takasi–Sugeno–Kang (TSK) bagi kegunaan kawalan lampu isyarat lalu lintas. Kata kunci: Lojik kabur TSK, sistem pangkalan peraturan kabur, teknik penggugusan subtraktif Learning fuzzy rule–based systems with genetic algorithms can lead to very useful descriptions of several problems. Fuzzy logic (FL) provides a simple way to arrive at a definite conclusion based upon vague, ambiguous, imprecise, noisy or missing input information. The FL model is empirically based, relying on an operator’s experience rather than their technical understanding of the system. In the FL method, any reasonable number of inputs can be processed and numerous outputs will be generated, although defining the rule–base quickly becomes complex if too many inputs and outputs are chosen for a single implementation since rules defining their interrelations must also be defined. This will increase the number of fuzzy rules and complexity but may also increase the quality of the control. Many methods were proposed to generate fuzzy rules–base. The basic idea is to study and generate the optimum rules needed to control the input without compromising the quality of control. The paper proposed the generation of fuzzy rule base by subtractive clustering technique in Takagi–Sugeno–Kang (TSK) fuzzy method for traffic signal control system. Key words: TSK fuzzy logic, fuzzy rule base system, subtractive clustering technique

In the present investigation, the microstructure and mechanical characteristics of dissimilar A319 and A356 cast Al alloys plates joined by friction stir welding (FSW) were evaluated. The effect of tool rotational and welding speeds as well as the post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) on such properties was investigated. Post-weld heat treatment was carried out at a solutionising temperature of 540uC for 12 h followed by aging at 155uC for 6 h. For the as welded specimens, the welded zone (WZ) exhibited higher hardness values when compared with the A319 and A356 parent alloys. The peak hardness at the WZ was found to increase by increasing the tool rotational speed and/or reducing the welding speed. In contrast, the post-weld heat treated (PWHTed) specimens exhibited lower hardness values at the WZ than the parent alloys. For PWHTed specimens, the peak hardness at the WZ was found to decrease by increasing the tool rotational speed and/or reducing the welding speed. Tensile tests results demonstrate that, for the as welded specimens, the tensile fracture took place on A356 side where the hardness was minimal. While for PWHTed specimens, the fracture took place at the WZ. Increasing the tool rotational speed reducing both tensile and yield strengths, but increases the ductility of the joint.

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the occupational hazards among the abattoir workers associated with noncompliance to the meat processing and waste disposal laws in Terengganu State, Malaysia. Occupational hazards are the major source of morbidity and mortality among the animal workers due to exposure to many hazardous situations in their daily practices. Occupational infections mostly contracted by abattoir workers could be caused by iatrogenic or transmissible agents, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites and the toxins produced by these organisms.Materials and methodsThe methodology was based on a cross-sectional survey using cluster sampling technique in the four districts of Terengganu State, Malaysia. One hundred and twenty-one abattoir workers from five abattoirs were assessed using a validated structured questionnaire and an observation checklist.ResultsThe mean and standard deviation of occupational hazards scores of the workers were 2.32 (2.721). Physical, chemical, biological, psychosocial, musculoskeletal, and ergonomics hazards were the major findings of this study. However, the highest prevalence of occupational hazards identified among the workers was injury by sharp equipment such as a knife (20.0%), noise exposure (17.0%), and due to offensive odor within the abattoir premises (12.0%).ConclusionThe major occupational hazards encountered by the workers in the study area were physical, chemical, biological, psychosocial, musculoskeletal, and ergonomics hazards. To ensure proper control of occupational health hazards among the abattoir workers, standard design and good environmental hygiene must be taken into consideration all the time. Exposure control plan, which includes risk identification, risk characterization, assessment of workers at risk, risk control, workers’ education/training, and implementation of safe work procedures, should be implemented by the government and all the existing laws governing the abattoir operation in the country should be enforced.

Poor management of abattoirs results in air and water pollution especially resident’s in their close proximity. The objevtive of the study was to investigate the effect of poor management of abattoirs on the quality of life and health of residents in their vicinity. A cross sectional survey was conducted within two month period. Fifty six residents of buildings located approximately five kilometers radius to the abattoir were randomly selected for interview using questionnaire. Among the 56 residents interviewed, 20 (35.7%) were sicked. Almost half (33.9%) of the residents suspected the sickness to be related to abattoir hazards. The prevalence of diseases and symptoms experianced by the residents were typhoid fever (14.4%), Diarhoea (12.5%), Coughing (10.7%), Asthma (8.9%), Foot and Mouth Disease (7.1%) and Dengue (3.6%). The main associated factors of abattoir activities on residents ‘s health were contamination of air with pollutants (odds ratio,15.52; 95% confidence interval, 3.62-10.52), water contamination (11.44; 3.17, 12.28), gutters and drainages blockage (6.35; 1.26, 9.99) and prevention of children from outdoor activities (4.65; 1.33, 16.31). There was also reported case of food poisoning among the residents. Abattoir activities has direct and indirect negative effect on residents health who are in close proximity.

Purpose This paper aims to identify and reduce possible process failures occurred in warehouse. Design/methodology/approach This research used risk analysis method FMEA combined with fuzzy-analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Design FMEA will direct the failure mode or failure of components into levels and will use it to analyze the product before it used in manufacturing processes. Design FMEA has a major point on the failure mode that caused inefficiency in the design while fuzzy-AHP used to reduce subjectivity in the weighting process. Findings The results show that high inventory is the dominant factor that must be controlled by the company to prevent the risk of failure processes in the warehouse, followed by the number of stocks that do not match with existing records, and misplacement of machines and/or materials. Originality/value This research used risk analysis method FMEA combined with fuzzy-AHP to identify and reduce the possible process failures in warehousing.