Introduction Mining workers have potential risks to be exposed by many toxicants. Due to the majority of toxicants metabolised through the liver this may be high risk of the liver function alteration due to occupational and non-occupational health hazards exposures. The purpose of this study was to explore the risk of mining worker to have liver function elevation (LFE) adjusted by other risk factors.

Methods A comparative cross sectional study was conducted to examine the secondary data of 2016 annual medical examination results of 5634 workers from six various industries in Indonesia. The data subjects consisted of 447 of those who had a LFE compared with 1341 subjects were randomly chosen from those data whose were normal in liver function enzyme. Liver function elevations were considered on the basis of serum aspartate aminotransferase and/or alanine aminotransferase level more than 5 points above reference levels. The risk of mining workers to have liver function elevation were calculated using Odds Ratios and adjusted by Type of Task, Chemical Exposure History, Age, Body Mass Index, Medical History and Triglyceride Level.

Result This study analysed 1781 male workers (31.0±7.4 year). No significant associations were observed between outcome and medical history of diabetes mellitus and liver disease as well as alcohol consumption, smoking, physical exercise, and chemical exposure history. Risk factors associated with LFE were identified including obesity (OR 4.0, 95% CI: 3.1 to 5.0), work in mining sector (OR 2.0, 95% CI: 1.6 to 2.6), role as administrative worker (OR 1.4, 95% CI: 1.0 to 1.8), age <35 years (OR 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1 to 1.9), and hypertriglyceridemia (OR 1.6, 95% CI: 1.3 to 2.1) respectively.

Discussion Attributed risk factors of LFE among worker were identified including occupational, individual and modifiable metabolic risk. Further research is needed to explain the role of occupational exposures in LFE among miners.