| Summary: | The port sector is a subsystem of the supply chain and is considered vital in Malaysia.
Occupational stress is increasing among port employees due to a high-risk working
environment. Risk assessment is the first step in identifying any potential risk or flaw
related to OHS issues and supporting decision-making in OHS implementation to
decrease ill health issues. While legislation establishes rules for risk assessment,
employers often lack adequate guidance and are exposed to psychosocial issues such as
occupational stress. The main objective of this study is to develop a risk matrix model
that is primarily focused on occupational stress. The model will be designated the
Occupational Stress Risk Assessment Matrix (OSRAM), and it will have three
dimensions: Likelihood (L), Severity (S), and Control Modification Factor (CMF). This
approach was used to identify hazards and determine the initial and residual risk
associated with risk factors that contributed to occupational stress. A cross sectional
survey was conducted in Penang port terminal, resulting in the selection of 310
respondents from a total population of 380 using a simple random sample approach that
met inclusion and exclusion criteria. The processes consisted of two stages. Specifically,
the first phase comprised the collecting of baseline data, and the second phase involved
the development of a risk assessment matrix applying a semi-quantitative methodology
approach. Additionally, SPSS version 25.0 and SPSS AMOS were performed to examine
all data from the Socio-Demographic Survey, Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), and
Occupational Health Safety Monitoring Questionnaire (OHSMQ). The OSRAM
technique was used to determine the probability of a hazard, the severity of the hazard,
and the CMF of the assessed activities linked with this risk factor. The statistical analysis
included descriptive analysis, chi-square, structural equation modelling (SEM), and
paired sample t-test analysis. The response rate was 98 percent as a result. The
sociodemographic distribution was studied, and age was shown to be significantly
associated with occupational stress (p = 0.03). Job strain was found to be prevalent in
68.8 percent of cases. The majority of occupational stress risk factors are strongly
associated with occupational stress, and SEM analysis proves that a modest risk
contributed to occupational stress. OSRAM was constructed as a 5x5 matrix containing
STRESSOR dimensions, severity level, and CMF. The five risk categories are very low
(VL), low (L), moderate (M), high (H), and extremely high (EH), with a score ranging
from one to twenty-five. OSRAM was applied in a container port, and the majority of
hazards analysed indicated a reduction in the risk level associated with the eight selected
activities. A comparison has been made between OSRAM and present RAM, as well as
the stress scale. As a result, a significant link between OSRAM and the current matrix
was discovered, with a p value less than 0.05. According to the stress scale, all work
activities were deemed significant. The OSRAM responds more accurately than existing
RAM as a risk estimator. In conclusion, OSRAM has established itself as a critical OHS
risk assessment instrument, particularly in the Malaysian port industry.
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