Occupational health and safety is one aspect of labor protection which aims to enable workers to carry out their work comfortably, healthily and safely, so as to achieve an optimal increase in work productivity. Occupational health and safety protection is not only given to informal sector workers, but also informal sector workers.

The issue of safety in the informal sector has not become the main focus, while the number of informal workers in Indonesia is 70.49 million, more than the 56.02 million formal workers.¹ Groups of informal sector workers still have not received attention in their work safety. It is even more concerning that cases of work accidents in the informal sector are often not recorded, so the data is very limited. The problem of preventing and controlling accidents in the informal sector has not been adjusted to the potential hazards in the workplace [1].

Welding workers are an important occupational group, especially in developing countries because of rapid urbanization and industrialization, causing labor-oriented markets to shift to more mechanisms. Welding workers are in direct contact with the machine so that they are injured by sparks and hot metal particles, ultraviolet radiation and metal fumes which can seriously threaten the safety of workers [2].

Welding cases from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) data where there have been 1,116 cases and 221 cases ending in death in the USA one year related to welding activities which are generally caused by lack of caution, how to handle the wrong tools, how to use the wrong tools. , maximize the personal protective equipment that is not correct and good other mistakes [3]. 

There are several hazards and risks in welding, which if not managed can lead to accidents and occupational diseases. Based on the principle of risk analysis in occupational safety and health, to carry out risk management it is first necessary to identify hazards and risk assessments.

Risk is something that is often inherent in activities. Any activity that we do has potential risks. The most important thing we have to do is not run away from the risks that will occur but how do we manage the potential risks that arise so that the chances of happening or the consequences are not great, by knowing the level of risk that will occur then we will know how to reduce the impact that will be caused [4]. 

Welding is a machining process that is full of risks. This is because it is always associated with fire and flammable and explosive materials, especially in gas welding, namely oxygen gas and acetylene. Accidents that occur can actually be reduced or avoided if the operator (welder) in operating welding tools and work safety equipment is used properly and correctly, has mastery of how to prevent hazards due to the welding process [5]. 

In general, welding hazards can be classified into physical hazards and chemical hazards. Examples of welding using electricity are SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding) and MAG (Metal Active Gas) welding, both are types of electric arc welding. Various control efforts need to be made to minimize the risk of work accidents in the welding process. One of the efforts that can be done is by means of a risk assessment. Risk assessment is the process of evaluating the risk caused by a hazard, taking into account the adequacy of the controls in place, and determining whether the risk is acceptable or not [6]. 

Hazard identification and risk assessment are proactive activities in managing risk, it aims to identify hazards and assess the level of risk, thereby determining control over these risks. K3 risk control cannot be separated from the control hierarchy, namely elimination, substitution, mechanical engineering, administration, and the use of PPE [7].

Welding workers in Bandung Raya are spread over 4 districts and cities, in this study a survey was conducted on 15 welding kiosks in Badung Raya. Based on preliminary studies, the number of work accidents is high in welding workers. The types of work accidents that often occur include: being hit by sparks, being scratched by iron, slashed by iron, being hit by a hammer, and being hit by iron. Some workers complain of soreness in the waist which indicates a risk of muscle and skeletal disorders.

The purpose of this study was to identify hazards and assess occupational safety and health risks for informal sector welding workers in Bandung Raya.

This study uses a descriptive observational research design. The study was conducted by field observation to 15 welding kiosks, the results of which were summarized. The risk assessment method uses JSA with the following risk assessment steps:

• Choose the place to be analyzed

• Describe the stages of work

• Identify various hazards and risks that exist in each step of the work, as well as identify various possibilities that have the potential to become accidents

• Risk assessment (probability and severity)

• Categorize risks (risk assessment matrix)

• Provide control recommendations

The assessment table that is used as a reference in this study are:

• After the assessment is carried out in accordance with the matrix above,  recommendations for control or improvement efforts will be determined

Table 1: likelihood

Table 2: Severity

Table 3: Risk Level Matrix

Table 4: Information

Source: [8-9]

• This research has been declared ethically feasible based on the ethical feasibility certificate number No.192/KEPK/IKI-B/VIII/2022

Material Preparation

In the preparation process, the worker prepares the material, if the material is in his boarding house, the material will immediately enter the next stage, but if the material is not available, then the worker will submit a request to buy the material. In this process there are two main hazards, namely ergonomic and physical, where when workers lift materials manually, and physical hazards, workers are at risk of being crushed by materials.

Based on hazard identification and risk assessment, manual handling at the initial risk is in the high  category, there is no control in the workplace so that residual risk remains high, therefore it is recommended  to do manua handling in groups or use mechanical tools. There is no control over the risk of being hit by materials, so the risk remains high, the recommendation that can be given is to use safety shoes and gloves.

Tabel 4: Results of Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment of Workers in the Welding Informal Industry in Greater Bandung

Cutting Material

The next stage is cutting iron, at this stage the incoming material is then cut to size and order, in this process there are three main risks, namely ergonomic, chemical, and physical. When workers cut the material in a sitting and squatting position, so there is a risk of LBP, there is no control over this risk so that the level remains high and the recommendation given is to do technical engineering by using a chair.

Chemical hazards in the form of smoke are at risk of causing respiratory system disorders in workers, workers already use masks but are still non-safety masks, the residual risk from this hazard is low and additional recommendations are given using welding masks according to standards. Furthermore, the physical risk of sparks, when cutting the sparks and metal smoke come out together, so there can be a risk of causing injuries to the face, and eye defects. The current recognition is that workers use masks but are not safe, so the risk of residual is still high. An additional recommendation is to use a face shield. Another physical risk is sharp parts of metal that can cause workers to be scratched or cut, the initial level of risk is high, because there is no control, the risk remains high and the recommendation is to use gloves and safety shoes. Next, the dust produced is at risk of causing moderate-risk respiratory problems, workers use cloth masks, the recommendation given is to use welding masks according to standards

Welding Process 

After the material is cut and assembled according to the order, the next step is the welding stage, at this stage the workers do the welding with electric welding. The first identified hazards are fire and UV rays from the welding process, the initial risk is extreme, the current control is using non-safety glasses, the residual risk is still high. The recommendation given is to use anti-UV glasses.

Next is the physical hazard that is at risk of causing a fire, this hazard comes from welding sparks, not yet controlled at every welding stall, the residual risk is high, the recommendation given is to provide a light fire extinguisher. Another physical hazard identified is electric current, this poses a risk of fire and electric shock to workers, high initial risk level with this data control is wired fireplace, moderate residual risk. The recommendation given is to use safety shoes and safety gloves.

Next is the ergonomic risk where when welding workers do welding in a sitting and squatting position, few workers use a chair as a support, the residual risk of this hazard is high. The recommendation given is to use a chair when doing welding, and the welding position must be ergonomic. In addition to physical and ergonomic hazards, the next is chemical hazards, metal fumes arising from welding can cause respiratory system disorders, the initial risk of this hazard is moderate with current controls, namely using non-safety masks, the residual risk is low. The recommendation given is to use a standard welding mask.

Proses Finishing

In this process there are two identified hazards, namely physical and chemical. In the finishing process, workers work on smoothing iron and doing painting. In this process the risk for workers is respiratory system disorders due to fine dust from the putty process, the initial level of moderate risk is by using non-safety masks, the residual risk is low, the recommendation is to use welding masks according to standards.

Next is painting, in this process workers paint iron that has been welded and caulked, painting using aromatic chemicals and using solvents, this is clearly dangerous for workers. Besides being able to use the respiratory system if done continuously it can cause cancer. The initial risk is high, with control using non-safety masks, the risk is moderate. Recommendations are given to use a safety mask and painting is carried out in a large area.

Based on the research results, it can be seen that the resistance of the welding process to informal sector workers, namely, preparing materials, cutting iron, welding processes, and finishing. The results of the hazard identification identified three hazards, namely physical, chemical, and ergonomic. The results of the initial risk assessment show that there are 2 extreme risks, 7 high risks, and 5 moderate risks. While the remaining risk is 8 high risk, 1 moderate risk, and 5 low risk. Recommended efforts include using safety googles, face shields, safety shoes, safety gloves, providing light fire extinguishers, and providing seats.

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