ENVIRONMENTAL ERGONOMICS AND SUSTAINABLE RISK MANAGEMENT: ENHANCING HEALTH AND SAFETY IN MALAYSIAN WET MARKETS
Dina Azleema Mohamed Nor,
Mohd Saiful Izwaan Saadon,
Tan Owee Kowang,
Mohd Noor Azli Ali Khan,
Abstract: This study examines the environmental and health challenges at Pasar Siti Khadijah, Kelantan, Malaysia using the Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Risk Control (HIRARC) framework. The purpose is to systematically identify hazards, assess risks, and propose effective control measures tailored to the market's socio-cultural context. The study utilizes a mixed-methods approach, including observational surveys, structured questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews with a stratified random sample of 217 market vendors. Results reveal significant issues, such as inadequate waste management, poor ergonomic workspace design, and unsanitary conditions, which worsen foodborne illnesses, respiratory conditions, and pest infestations. These findings underline the importance of environmental ergonomics in optimizing market layouts and waste systems to reduce these risks. The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions, including improved waste management systems, gender-sensitive hygiene training, and community-driven awareness campaigns. This research concludes that integrating HIRARC with environmental ergonomics, alongside cultural and demographic considerations, provides actionable strategies to enhance market sustainability, public health, and human-environment interaction. These results offer a replicable framework for managing similar risks in traditional markets across Malaysia and beyond.
Keywords: Environment, Ergonomic, Risk Assessment, Sustainability, Safety, Health
DOI: 10.24874/PES08.01.003
Recieved: 25.03.2025 Revised: 18.06.2025 Accepted: 20.07.2025
UDC:
Reads: 885 
