An Exploratory Study on Occupational Health and Musculoskeletal Hazards among Agricultural Workers of India

摘要

Agriculture poses many health hazards and musculoskeletal problems to the workers. They are confronted with physiological hazards such as pain in various body parts and fatigue, mechanical hazard such as injury due to farm tools and machinery, chemical hazards like skin and respiratory problems and environmental hazards such as air-borne allergies, poisonous organism bites, and effects of extreme temperatures. Also musculoskeletal problems have become endemic in agricultural work and maximum of the farm workers report very severe to severe pain in low back while performing agricultural activities. Training and education for bringing about awareness of hazards and safety has become vital and the knowledge of the farm workers could be enhanced through exposure to such information. They should be trained regarding use of improved agriculture equipment, safe work methods and proper postures through audio-visual aids which could bring about reduction in risk of many health hazards in agriculture. Occupational health and safety has become imperative to improve the quality of life of the largest workforce of the country.