Objective To conduct a risk assessment of occupational disease hazard in paper production in order to strengthen occupational health management in paper enterprises and protect workers' health.
Conclusion Three medium or small paper enterprises in Fuyang City were enrolled in the study and evaluated for occupational exposure to harmful chemicals by a semi-quantitative method adapted from Singapore Ministry of Manpower.
Results The risk level was 5 (severe risk) for coating workers exposed to hydrogen sulphide in the paper workshop, 3 (moderate risk) for loading material workers exposed to paper dust in the pulping workshop, and 2 (slight risk) for defibrination workers and pulping workers exposed to hydrogen sulphide in the pulping workshop and for picking workers exposed to paper dust in the picking workshop.
Conclusion Under current working conditions, the existing occupational hazards may advance adverse effects on the health of workers. Therefore, control measures should be taken depending on risk levels. Occupational hazard risk assessments can estimate workers' occupational health risk levels to safeguard their rights and interests.
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