Assessment of hazards, risks and controls associated with fish landing jetty workers’ activities in Kuantan, Pahang

Kamsulzain, Nur Balqis and Ruslan, Siti Nur Liyana and Musa, Muhammad Afif and Shamsudin, Mohd Zubairy and Zamli, Zaitunnatakhin (2026) Assessment of hazards, risks and controls associated with fish landing jetty workers’ activities in Kuantan, Pahang. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 22 (s8). pp. 89-97. E-ISSN 2636-9346

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Abstract

Introduction: The fishing industry significantly contributes to Malaysia’s economic growth, yet it remains high-risk due to various occupational safety and health issues. Previous studies have shown that fishermen face higher injury, morbidity, and fatality rates than other industries, largely due to the physically demanding and hazardous conditions on fishing vessels and landing jetties. To date, only two hazard identification, risk assessment, and risk control (HIRARC) studies have been conducted at Malaysian fish landing jetties, with none in Pahang. This study aimed to assess hazards faced by purse-seine and trawler workers at the Kuantan fish landing jetty. Materials and Methods: A descriptive observational study was conducted using walk-through inspections with the HIRARC Assessment Form, adapted from Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) guidelines. Results: Physical hazards, such as slippery floors, were the most frequently reported across both fishing vessels. However, ergonomic hazards had the highest percentage of hazards with a significant relative risk (Purse-seine: 38.3%; Trawler: 42.6%), warranting a medium to high priority for intervention. Although purse-seine vessels had a greater total number of hazards, trawler workers faced a slightly higher risk of ergonomic hazards, primarily due to manual handling of heavier loads. The high ergonomic risk was evident across the main activities of both vessels (R score = 9), while physical hazards showed the lowest risk (R score = 4). Conclusion: Since the existing controls are inadequate, implementing the recommended controls is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of fishermen and other fish landing jetty workers. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences (2026) 22(s8):89-97.doi:10.47836/mjmhs.22.s8.13

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Hazard, Risk factor, Risk control, Fishery, Jetty workers
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences > Department of Biomedical Science (Effective:1st July 2011)
Depositing User:	Zaitunnatakhin Zamli
Date Deposited:	28 Sep 2026 14:29
Last Update:	28 Sep 2026 14:29
Queue Number:	2026-09-Q5277
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/131519
Indexed In:	Google Scholar, MyCite

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