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Background Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are considered one of the foremost reason of disability globally with significant economic impact due to loss of productivity. Landscaping work is considered a high-risk industry in the service sector. Landscape workers are susceptible to WRMSDs as they are exposed to high physical demands at work, and exert significant physical effort to complete daily repetitive tasks during long working hours. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of WRMSDs and to identify the ergonomic risk factors among landscape workers in a university setting. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted among landscape workers at a public university in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Interviews were conducted due to low literacy of the participants, using structured questionnaires which consist of personal characteristics, work descriptions, ergonomic risk factors, as well as self-reported WRMSD symptoms using NORDIC questionnaire. Ergonomic risk assessment (ERA) using rapid entire body assessment (REBA) was then conducted. Results Fifty-five of 60 landscape workers agreed to participate (92% response rate). The overall prevalence of WRMSDs among landscape workers was 85.5%. The highest prevalence involving the shoulder (65.5%), followed by neck (23.6%), wrist/hand (23.6%), and lower back (20.0%) regions based on their self-reported WRMSD symptoms over the past 12 months. Awkward posture was the risk factor identified through ergonomic risk assessment (ERA) conducted by ERA trained personnel. None of the working postures during assessment was noted to be appropriate. Although no significant difference was associated with self-reported WRMSDs, majority of the landscape workers (71%) were classified as medium ergonomic risk group using REBA, with the remaining 29% considered to be high ergonomic risk group. Conclusion Improvement in awareness campaigns, modification of working tools, and enhanced administrative approaches are among the control and prevention measures recommended to delay or prevent the occurrence of WRMSDs.

In hospitals, the chemical formaldehyde is commonly utilised to preserve tissues. The healthcare personnel exposed to formaldehyde the most work in histopathology laboratories. This study aims to determine the health effects of everyday formaldehyde exposure on healthcare professionals in the histopathology laboratory. Cross-sectional comparative research was used for the study design. The 8-hour time-weighted-average (TWA₈) formaldehyde level was measured at the histopathology laboratory at Hospital Queen Elizabeth in Sabah and the administration office (control) using the real-time colorimetric tube method. Workers in both places were required to answer a questionnaire on their health status. The TWA₈ formaldehyde level was higher in the exposed area (0.113 ppm) than in the unexposed area (0.031 ppm). Air samplings showed that formaldehyde exposure levels in the exposed area (0.108 ± 0.026 ppm) were significantly higher than in an unexposed area (0.028 ± 0.018 ppm) at p < 0.001. Symptoms closely related to formaldehyde exposure were 51% in the histopathology laboratory workers, greater than 35% in the control group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The workers showed six symptoms: irritated eyes, sore throat, cough, runny nose, sneezing and headache. Although the level of occupational workplace exposure to formaldehyde in the histopathology laboratory was below the recommended limit, the health symptoms related to formaldehyde among the exposed group were detected. Enhancing control measures for indoor air quality improvement in the working area is required to minimise the health risk among laboratory workers.