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Workers in the precast concrete industry are significantly more likely to develop irritant contact dermatitis when they experience prolonged exposure to molding materials, according to a 2026 study conducted by Rini Hari Sandy Br Sembiring, Umi Salmah, and Arfah Mardiana Lubis from Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU). Published in the Jurnal Multidisiplin Madani (MUDIMA), the research highlights that workplace exposure plays a greater role in occupational skin disease than the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) alone, emphasizing the need for stronger prevention strategies in industrial settings.
Occupational diseases continue to be a major public health challenge worldwide, particularly in industries where workers are routinely exposed to hazardous chemicals and construction materials. Among these conditions, irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) remains one of the most common work-related skin disorders. The condition causes itching, redness, inflammation, and discomfort that can reduce productivity and affect workers' quality of life.
The precast concrete industry presents a particularly high-risk environment because employees frequently come into direct contact with cement, cement dust, and molding oils throughout the production process. Although companies commonly provide protective equipment, researchers note that long-term exposure to these substances can still damage the skin over time.
Study Examined Workers at PT WIKA Beton PPB North Sumatra
The researchers conducted the study between April and May 2026 at PT WIKA Beton PPB SUMUT in Medan, North Sumatra.
Using a cross-sectional quantitative design, the team collected data from 60 production workers who were directly involved in handling molding materials. Information was gathered through structured questionnaires and workplace observations covering personal hygiene practices, PPE use, exposure duration to molding materials, and symptoms of irritant contact dermatitis.
The findings were analyzed using statistical methods to determine which workplace factors were most strongly associated with skin disease among employees.
More Than Half of Workers Experienced Occupational Skin Disease
The study revealed that 55% of workers had symptoms consistent with irritant contact dermatitis, demonstrating that occupational skin disease remains a significant health issue in the concrete manufacturing sector.
Researchers also found that:
- 58.3% of workers maintained good personal hygiene.
- 98.3% reported proper use of personal protective equipment.
- 51.7% experienced high exposure to molding materials.
- Workers with poor personal hygiene were significantly more likely to develop dermatitis than those with good hygiene practices.
The results indicate that although most employees consistently wore PPE, skin disorders remained common, suggesting that other workplace factors contribute substantially to disease risk.
Long-Term Exposure Was the Strongest Risk Factor
One of the study's most important findings was that prolonged exposure to molding materials emerged as the strongest predictor of irritant contact dermatitis.
Personal Hygiene Matters More Than PPE Alone
The research also demonstrated that personal hygiene significantly influenced occupational skin health.
Workers who delayed washing their hands, body, or work clothing after handling construction materials were more likely to retain irritant residues on their skin. This prolonged exposure increases the likelihood of skin damage and inflammation.
Interestingly, the study found no statistically significant relationship between PPE use and dermatitis incidence. Nearly all workers already used PPE correctly, leaving little variation between respondents. The researchers suggest that while PPE remains an essential safety measure, it cannot completely eliminate risks when exposure continues for many years.
Recommendations for Industry and Occupational Health
The findings provide practical guidance for companies operating in the construction materials industry.
Instead of relying solely on personal protective equipment, employers should adopt broader occupational health strategies, including:
- Reducing direct worker exposure to molding materials.
- Implementing job rotation to limit prolonged contact with irritants.
- Maintaining strict supervision of PPE compliance.
- Strengthening workplace hygiene programs.
- Educating workers about skin protection and early symptoms of occupational dermatitis.
As emphasized by Rini Hari Sandy Br Sembiring and colleagues from Universitas Sumatera Utara, controlling workplace exposure should become the primary focus of occupational health programs because environmental exposure contributes more strongly to skin disease than individual behavior alone.
The researchers also recommend that future studies investigate additional environmental and occupational factors that may contribute to skin disorders among industrial workers, enabling more comprehensive prevention policies across Indonesia's manufacturing sector.
Author Profile
Rini Hari Sandy Br Sembiring is a researcher from Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) specializing in occupational health, industrial hygiene, and workplace disease prevention.
Umi Salmah is an academic at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) whose expertise focuses on public health and occupational epidemiology.
Arfah Mardiana Lubis is a researcher from Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) specializing in occupational safety, environmental health, and industrial risk management.
Source
Article Title: The Influence of Behavior and Exposure to Molding Materials on the Incidence of Occupational Diseases in the Concrete Industry in North Sumatra
Journal: Jurnal Multidisiplin Madani (MUDIMA), Vol. 6, No. 6 (2026)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/mudima.v6i6.93
Official Journal Article: https://journal.formosapublisher.org/index.php/mudima
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