Occupational Safety Risk Analysis in Oil Palm Waste-Based Organic Fertilizer Production Using HIRARC
(Analisis Risiko Kesehatan dan Keselamatan Kerja (K3) pada Produksi Pupuk Organik Berbasis Limbah Kelapa Sawit Menggunakan HIRARC)
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Debby Pramana Putra
Plantation Crop Production Technology Study Program, Politeknik Lamandau, Indonesia
Ihda Andrey Yanuar Setiawan
Plantation Crop Production Technology Study Program, Politeknik Lamandau, Indonesia
Nur Ikhsan
Plantation Crop Production Technology Study Program, Politeknik Lamandau, Indonesia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.19184/bst.v14i3.60069
ABSTRACT
Occupational safety and health (OSH) is an important component of sustainable oil palm waste management, particularly in production activities involving manual handling, organic materials, machinery, and repetitive work. This study aimed to identify occupational hazards, assess associated risks, and formulate appropriate control measures in the production of organic fertilizer from oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) at CV Ethan Group, Lamandau Regency, Central Kalimantan. The study was conducted from April to July 2026 using a descriptive qualitative approach. All five workers directly involved in the production activities were included through total sampling, comprising three field workers, one foreman, and one supervisor. Data were collected through direct observation, structured interviews, and workplace documentation and were analyzed using the Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Risk Control (HIRARC) method. Risk levels were determined based on Likelihood and Consequence scores using a 5 × 5 HIRARC matrix. Nine hazards were identified across three production stages: raw material processing, fermentation and bio-activator application, and product packaging. Five hazards were classified as medium risk and four as low risk, with no high or extreme risks identified. The main medium-risk hazards were prolonged non-ergonomic postures during manual raw material processing, carrying a backpack sprayer, manual transport of 50-kg fertilizer bags, and contact with the sewing needle of the packaging machine. Recommended controls included improvement or restoration of processing equipment, ergonomic work practices, work-rest scheduling, engineering aids such as carts and improved spraying equipment, standard operating procedures, worker training, supervision, and appropriate personal protective equipment. The findings indicate that occupational risks in EFB-based organic fertilizer production were predominantly associated with ergonomic, mechanical, and exposure-related factors under the actual workplace conditions observed during the study period. These findings provide a practical basis for prioritizing preventive controls in small and medium-scale organic fertilizer production.
Keywords: Oil palm empty fruit bunches; occupational hazards; HIRARC; risk assessment; ergonomic hazards.
Published
18-09-2026
Issue
Vol. 14 No. 3 2026: BERKALA SAINSTEK
Pages
150-160
License
Copyright (c) 2026 BERKALA SAINSTEK
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