Implementation of Occupational Safety and Health Using the Hiradc Method (Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, And Determining Control) in Palm Oil Plants: Literature Review

Abstract

The palm oil industry is one of the important sectors in Indonesia that employs a large workforce and contributes significantly to the national economy. Crude palm oil, also known as CPO, and its increasing demand worldwide, drive the growth of this industry. Behind its benefits, the process of processing fresh fruit bunches (FFB) into CPO carries very high hazard potential if not properly managed, as each stage of production involves interactions between humans, machinery, the work environment, and hazardous chemicals. The purpose of this study is to thoroughly analyze the application of the Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Determining Control (HIRADC) method in palm oil mills. Data sources were collected from 6 national journals published between 2019 and 2024 with the keywords "HIRADC, Occupational Health and Safety, Palm Oil Industry, Hazard Identification, Risk Control." The review results indicate that each work station can face various hazards, ranging from mechanical risks due to using unguarded machines, slippery work floors, exposure to hot vapors, to health threats from usage. Using the HIRADC method, risk assessment produces risk categories ranging from low, medium, high, and extreme. These categories are then used as the basis for implementing control strategies according to the hierarchy of controls, which include elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Nevertheless, previous research has also found that the main problem causing the risk of accidents to persist is the low level of worker compliance with occupational safety regulations and the suboptimal implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs). Therefore, the findings of this analysis indicate that the routine and continuous application of the HIRADC method can reduce workplace accident risks, protect workers' health, and improve company productivity. Hence, the implementation of this method must be accompanied by increased supervision, regular training, promotion of a safety culture, and the development of worker discipline.