DOI: 10.3303/CET2291050 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Paper Received: 30 November 2021; Revised: 18 February 2022; Accepted: 22 March 2022 
Please cite this article as: Paucar Luna J., Jave Nakayo J., Cabrera Carranza C., Mantilla Varas P.A., Benites-Alfaro E., 2022, Hazards, Risks, 
and Control Measures in Productive Process of Fresh Asparagus, Chemical Engineering Transactions, 91, 295-300  DOI:10.3303/CET2291050 
  

 CHEMICAL ENGINEERING TRANSACTIONS  
 

VOL. 91, 2022 

A publication of 

 

The Italian Association 
of Chemical Engineering 
Online at www.cetjournal.it 

Guest Editors: Valerio Cozzani, Bruno Fabiano, Genserik Reniers 
Copyright ©  2022, AIDIC Servizi S.r.l. 
ISBN 978-88-95608-89-1 ISSN 2283-9216 

Hazards, Risks and Control Measures in Productive Process 

of Fresh Asparagus 

Pedro Paucar Lunaa , Jorge Jave Nakayoa, Carlos Cabrera Carranzaa, Pedro 

Alberto Mantilla Varasb, Elmer Benites-Alfaroc 

aUniversidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Ciudad Universitaria, Lima Perú  
bUniversidad Nacional de Trujillo, Perú. 
cUniversidad César Vallejo, Av. Alfredo Mendiola 6232 Los Olivos, Lima Perú 

jorge.jave@unmsm.edu.pe 

 

Industrial activity is always exposed to events related to working risks that should be identified to seek suitable 

measures to tackle if necessary. The objective of the research was to identify the hazards and evaluate them to 

implement control measures to reduce the occupational accidents that may occur in the processes and activities 

of fresh asparagus agro-industrial companies. The industrial safety risk management methodology was used, 

starting by knowing the processes that are carried out in the production line, describing in detail the activities 

that are carried out, and then identifying the risk factors based on the probability and their frequency, as well as 

the dangers they pose. As a result, the risk was estimated as "Important" in all the processes of activities of the 

material collection and transport (all the activities), for the Hydrocooling process of raw material only in two 

activities out of a total of three and in two activities of the hydrocooling process and disinfection of the final 

product. On the other hand, a risk estimate of "Moderate" was obtained in the processes of raw material storage, 

selection and calibration, cutting and weighing, filling and coding of boxes, palletizing, storage in the chamber 

and dispatch, transporting the finished product. The importance of the results will allow them to make the best 

decisions in the risk management of this industry, allowing to reduce the negative impacts on the health of the 

operators and the environment. 

1. Introduction 

In Peru, one of the agro-industrial products with the highest production is asparagus, leading its export 

worldwide, from January to September 2021 there was a production of 101 788 tons of fresh asparagus, 

exporting 87 729 tons, being the eighth agricultural product most exported (Ministerio de Desarrollo Agrario y 

Riego - ROF-MIDAGRI, 2021). Industries in general require their activities to manage latent risk to reduce 

occupational accidents as in the case of asparagus production, generating risk management model systems 

such as in the auto parts manufacturing industry (Melendez, 2017), in companies with activities of a dangerous 

nature such as waste management where risks of a critical level are identified (due to noise, vibrations, 

particulate matter), of a significant level (handling of loads, repetitive movements, heat) that require the 

organization and work infrastructure to be improved and promoting a better culture of accident prevention 

(Ramos & Baldeón, 2017). 

The prevention of occupational hazards is important, this should seek legislation before establishing reparations 

and compensation for accidents or occupational diseases, compliance with security measures, control and 

inspection and sanction must be supervised, all this could be improved with the incorporation in the legislation 

of the "crime of danger" with judges specialized in the subject, that is, not waiting for the harmful events such 

as accidents and deaths to occur (Gallo, 2019). 

Research is important when identifying the activities and the risk that is generated, to propose actions or control 

measures to lower the level of risk of negative consequences on the health of workers, the results are generic 

for any company, within it, the fundamental is the preventive culture that must be adequately integrated into 

business management knowing the theory of causality (Frank Bird) thus, this planning improves productivity, 

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there will be an economic improvement of the company and a better management of prevention of occupational 

risks (Fernández, 2019) 

2. Methodology 

2.1 Stages of the fresh asparagus process 

The methodology of an industrial safety management system was established in a fresh asparagus processing 

plant where the set of operational activities observed in Figure 1 is followed. 

 

 

Figure 1 Process diagram of fresh asparagus processing. 

2.2 Methodology for hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures 

The risk identification was made using the risk matrix proposed by Ministerial Resolution No. 050-2013-TR 

through the formats that indicate the minimum mandatory registration information of the Occupational Health 

and Safety Management System, as well as the International Labour Organization (2020). 

To determine the risk of the process activities in the asparagus production company, (taking account the 

aforementioned peruviana standard) the combination between the probability of occurrence of a dangerous 

event and the magnitude of its consequences (severity) was taken into account. See Eq (1) 

 

𝑅𝑖𝑠𝑘 (𝑅) = 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 (𝑃) 𝑥 𝑆𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑦 (𝑆)        Eq (1) 

 

296



Where: 𝑃 = 𝐴 + 𝐶 + 𝐷 

 

A: Number of exposed people 

B: Existing procedures  

C: Training 

D: Exposure frequency 

 

The determination of the Probability and Severity in occupational accidents in the asparagus production 

company, took into account the considerations indicated by the standard, see Table 1.  

Table 1: Indicators to determine Probability and Severity 

Determination of Probability (P) Determination Severity (S) 

 

Index of 

exposed 

people (A) 

Index of existing 

procedures (B) 
Index of training (C) 

Index of 

exposure to risk 

(D) 

(consequences)  

 3 

There are 
procedures, they 
are sufficient and 
satisfactory. 

Trained personnel 
know the dangers 
and prevent them 

At least once a 
year. 

Injury without disability (S) 

Sporadically Discomfort (SO) 

 12 

There are partial 
procedures, they 
are not sufficient 
and satisfactory. 

Partially trained 
personnel, know the 
danger, but do not 
take control actions. 

At least once a 
month. 

Injury with temporary 
disability (S) 

Eventually. 
Irreversible damage to 
health. 

 More than 12 They do not exist 
Untrained personnel 
do not take control 
actions. 

At least once a 
day 

Injury with permanent 
disability (S) 

Permanently 
Irreversible damage to 
health 

 Source: RM N°050-2013-TR 

 

For the assessment and estimation of the degree of risk, Table 2 was considered, which allows use colors to 

label the risk of the activities (green, yellow and red). 

Table 2: Risk estimation 

Score  Degree of risk Background color 

0 - 4 Trivial (TR) Green 

5 - 8 Tolerable (TO) Green 

9 - 16 Moderate (M) Yellow 

17 - 21 Important (IM) Yellow 

25 - 36 Intolerable (IT) Red 

Source: RM N°050-2013-TR 

 

To present the industrial safety risk management matrix of the processes of an industry in the production of 

asparagus and taking into account the estimation, level and risk classification of the activities, control measures 

were proposed, as detailed in the results. 

The study was carried out involving 110 workers who worked 784 hours of work in total.  

3. Results and discussion 

Following the methodology for each process, the hazards were identified, the risks were evaluated and control 

measures were proposed, which are indicated in the corresponding Tables. The activities that were trivial, 

tolerable and moderate only indicate the global result; however, for the activities that resulted as an 

"IMPORTANT" risk, the evaluations and control measures for industrial safety risks are presented.  

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3.1 Process: First wash and disinfection 

Four activities with risk of "Important" level were determined, see Table 3. In this stage there are activities of 

use of disinfectants, and if they do not have the protection and training measures, unfortunate work accidents 

can occur, also control measures must be implemented within the framework of the security legislation 

approaches of each country such as the SEVESO Directive and the implementation of the risk-based inspection 

(RBI) approach, (Bragatto, et al., 2020). 

Table 3: Industrial safety risk management matrix for washing and disinfection 

Activity 
Identified 

Hazards 
Risk P S R 

Risk 

classification 

Control 

measures 

Preparation of the 

disinfectant 

detergent 

The cold, the 

water, the 

detergent 

Mechanical, 

chemical, 

ergonomic, facilities. 

physicochemical 

8 3 24 
Important 

(IM) 

Use of EPP, 

MSDS sheet, 

training 

Place the crates in 

the disinfection tubs 

The cold, the 

water, the 

crates, the 

weight, the 

detergent. 

Mechanical, 

physical, chemical, 

ergonomic, 

physicochemical. 
8 3 24 

Important 

(IM) 

 

Use of EPP, 

check list of 

equipment, 

training 

Manual cleaning of 

shoots in the tub 

The cold, the 

water, the 

crates, the 

weight, the 

detergent. 

Mechanical, 

physical, chemical, 

ergonomic, 

physicochemical 

8 3 24 
Important 

(IM) 

Use of EPP, 

MSDS sheet, 

check list of 

equipment, 

training 

Remove the crates 

from the disinfection 

tub 

The crates, the 

weight, the 

height, the 

hydraulic 

forklift, the 

floor. 

Mechanical, 

physical, chemical, 

ergonomic, facilities, 

physicochemical 
8 3 24 

Important 

(IM) 

Use of EPP, 

signaling 

 

3.2 Process: Hydrocooling of raw material 

 

For the Raw Material Hydrocooling Process, activities with 2 important risks and 1 moderate were found, See 

Table 4. In this stage, activities with electrical and physicochemical risks are carried out; so, in addition to the 

control measures indicated in Table 4, Automatic control equipment can be implemented to obtain information 

on dangerous levels of chemicals (Periolatto et al., 2020) 

Table 4: Industrial safety risk management matrix for raw material hydrocooling 

Activity Identified hazards Risk P S R 
Risk 

classification 
Control measures 

Preparation of 

Hydrocooler  

Hydrocooler, 

electrical system. 
Electric 8 3 24 Important (IM) 

Check list of 

equipment, training. 

Fire protection 

system, use of EPP, 

training. 

Preparation of the 

chlorine solution 

The chlorine 

solution, the cold, 

the weight. 

Physical, 

chemical, 

physico-

chemical 

8 3 24 Important (IM) 
MSDS sheet, Use of 

EPP, training. 

Stowage of loads on 

plastic stretchers 

The crates, the 

weight, the height, 

the hydraulic forklift, 

the floor. 

Physical, 

ergonomic, 

facilities 

8 3 24 Moderate IM) 
Use of EPP, 

signaling. 

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3.3 Process: Hydrocooling and disinfection of the finished product 

For the process of hydrocooling and disinfection of the finished product, 2 important risks and 1 tolerable risk 

were identified (see Table 5). These risks could be reduced if it is possible to identify all of them, so it is possible 

to resort to the various ways of locating them and evaluating these occupational risks from the occupational, 

health and safety point of view, with methods of a single expert, but undoubtedly, the ones made by multiple 

attribute decision are the most efficient, such as the Bayesian Best-Worst Method (Bayesian BWM) and 

VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR), (Ak et al., 2022). 

Table 5: Industrial safety risk management matrix for hydrocooling and disinfection of finished product 

Activity Identified hazards Risk P S R 
Risk 

classification 
Control measures 

Placing boxes 

in the 

Hydrocooler 

The cold, the weight, 

the floor, the 

hydraulic truck. 

Electric. 8 3 24 Important (IM) 

Check list of 

equipment, use of EPP, 

training. Order and 

cleanliness. 

Equipment 

monitoring 

The cold, the weight, 

the floor, the 

hydraulic truck. 

Physical, 

chemical, 

physico-

chemical. 

8 1 8 Tolerable (TO) 

Check list of 

equipment, use of EPP, 

training. Order and 

cleanliness. 

Hydrocooler 

Water Change 

The cold, the weight, 

the floor, the 

hydraulic truck. 

Physical, 

ergonomic, 

facilities. 

8 3 24 Important (IM) 

Check list of 

equipment, use of EPP, 

training. Order and 

cleanliness. 

 

3.4 Overall results of trivial, tolerable and moderate processes 

• Collection and transportation of raw material: 4 moderate risks 

• Reception and weigh-in: 3 moderate risk activities 

• Raw material storage: 1 tolerable risk and 2 moderates. 

• Selection and calibration: 1 tolerable risk and 2 moderate 

• Linked: 1 tolerable risk and 2 moderates 

• Filling and coding of boxes: 1 tolerable risk and 1 moderate. 

• Palletizing, cold room storage and dispatch: 7 moderate risks. 

• Transportation of finished product: 1 tolerable and 1 moderate. 

3.5 Average risk of production processes 

In summary, Table 6 shows the average risks for each production process in an asparagus production plant. 

The results statistically show a mean of 15.33, corresponding to a "Moderate" risk, a maximum of 24 for an 

"Important" risk and a minimum of 8 for a "Tolerable" risk with a standard deviation of 4.4586. 

Table 6: Average, percentage and risk classification of production processes 

N° Production process Risk Average % of risk 
Risk 

classification 

1 Collect and transport of raw materials 18 50.00% Important (IM) 

2 Reception and weighing 13 36.11% Moderate (M) 

3 First wash and disinfection 24 66.67% Important (IM) 

4 Hydrocooling of raw material 21 58.33% Important (IM) 

5 Raw material storage 13 36.11% Moderate (M) 

6 Selection and calibration 14 38.89% Moderate (M) 

7 Bound 8 22.22% Tolerable (to) 

8 Cut and weigh 16 44.44% Moderate (M) 

9 Box filling and coding. 12 33.33% Moderate (M) 

10 
Hydrocooling and disinfection of finished 

product 
19 52.78% Important (IM) 

11 Palletizing, chamber storage, dispatch 14 38.89% Moderate (M) 

12 Finished product transportation 12 33.33% Moderate (M) 

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Risk management in work centers is important and there is a deficiency in their identification to improve working 

conditions in asparagus production centers, this coincides with the investigation of the economically active urban 

population of Peru that found that they are exposed to many occupational risks and occupational health is not 

managed, affecting the health of workers and quality of work (Sabastizagal-Vela et al., 2020). Therefore, 

implementing risk management must be imperative in order to comply with existing regulations, as in the case 

of a fishing company that implemented an occupational health and safety system based on Peruvian Law No. 

29783 and managed to reduce the risk from an initial mean of 18 to a mean value of 6 (Miñan-Olivos S et al., 

2020). In the same way, the method used in the investigation compared with the Bayesian method, similarity is 

found when prioritizing the risks and proposing control measures, the latter applied in a textile industry managed 

to evaluate the risks with six different criteria that were: probability of an event dangerous (P), frequency (F), 

severity (S), detectability (D), cost (C), and the sensitivity for not wearing personal protective equipment (SNP); 

therefore, the results achieved in the research can help the risk managers and analysts of the companies to 

formulate proposals for improvement and thus increase safety in the work environment (Ak et al., 2022). 

4. Conclusion 

The risk activities in the processing of a fresh asparagus industry were identified through a matrix of industrial 

risks, then it was assessed and suggested control measures for the activities with risk classified as "Important" 

that corresponded to the washing and disinfection processes, hydrocooling of raw materials and hydrocooling 

of finished products and disinfection. With this information, the company in this area would be able to handle an 

efficient risk management of its operations in order to safeguard the business image, comply with labor and 

environmental legislation, improve the safety and health at work of its collaborators, and, at the same time, 

obtain economic returns. This will be corroborated in the future with an evaluation made after a period of 

implementation of the control measures suggested for each activity. 

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	Hazards, Risks and Control Measures in Productive Process of Fresh Asparagus