Hazard Identification and Preparation of Safety Operation Procedure for Large Candle Making during Buddhist Lent in a Community, Ubon Ratchathani Province

Abstract

This research and development aimed to 1) explore the hazard identification in large candle making in Ubon Ratchathani province in order to identify the danger in the candle making communities, 2) prepare measures and safety standards for the candle making communities, and 3) train and provide knowledge about safe work practices for candle making communities in Ubon Ratchathani province. There are three candle making methods: carving, appliqué and molding. Ten medium and large-size candles made by the candle making communities that had continuously participated in the Candle Contest in Ubon Ratchathani were purposively selected. The problems and laws related to informal workers were studied. The causes of accidents were investigated by using Job Safety Analysis (JSA) and the Safety Standard Operating Procedure (SSOP) was established. According to the analysis for safety in making 3 types of large candles, two aspects of risks and dangers were found as follows: 1) working environments that included insufficient lighting, heat from boiling candle wax, dust and metal fume; 2) unsafe acts and unsafe conditions that included electric shock, fire, explosion, cut, or stabbed by sharp materials, falling from height, contacting with heavy objects, and ergonomics. Safety Standard Operating Procedure was then established and developed as a safety manual for informal workers making large candles. In addition, the results of the safety manual training for 41 workers’ levels of knowledge were analyzed using t-test. Knowledge scores before and after the training according to the safety manual in making large candles was compared. It was found that the level of knowledge of the workers making large candles increased with statistical significance at the 0.05 level. Therefore, the safety manual for informal workers making large candles can be used to provide knowledge about safe work practices. It can also be used as a guideline for managing the safe environment and workplace to help reduce accidents and increase good quality of life. Additionally, it can also be used as a safety manual for more than 100 large candle making communities in Ubon Ratchathani Province.