Background: Paddy cultivation is a major occupation in informal sector in Sri Lanka. In 2014, contribution of the agricultural activities to the country’s annual GDP was 9.9% of which, contribution by paddy was 11.3%. The objective of the current study was to describe the work environment in rice mills with respect to dust, humidity and thermal condition, ventilation and illumination.Methods: A cross sectional study in 107 randomly selected rice mills was carried out in Ampara district in Sri Lanka. Standardized measurements were carried out to assess internal work environment of the mills.Results: Milling activities showed a seasonal variation. The majority of the mills (95.3%) manufactured raw rice only. Other than the basic characteristics, both automated (AMs) and non-automated mills (NAMs) showed common features. All rice mills exceeded the threshold limit values for total (520.04 mg/m3, SD=191.86 mg/m3) and respirable dust (48.14 mg/m3, SD=9.4 mg/m3). Mean daytime indoor relative humidity in the majority of the mills (n=102, 95.3%) was within the accepted upper limit. In most of the mills, ventilation (n=84, 78.5%) and illumination in polishing/packing area (n=60, 56.1%) was satisfactory while in dehusking/paddy inlet area (n=96, 89.7%), illumination was below the limits.Conclusions: Work environment in both the AMs and NAMs in Ampara district presented with poor work standards compared to the required guidelines.

Introduction: Rice milling often carried out in the informal work sector generates paddy dust which is a hazard to the respiratory health of mill workers. Sri Lankan rice mill workers have shown reluctance in using respiratory protective apparatus during rice milling.Objectives: To describe the barriers for the use of respiratory protective devices during rice milling Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in the divisions of Ampara and Uhana in Ampara District in Sri Lanka during February 2016. Twenty-two in-depth interviews were conducted among rice mill workers, health professionals and government officers related to rice milling industry. Data were analysed using content analysis method. Results:The rice mill workers' non-use of respiratory protective methods was mainly due to their negligence in personal respiratory health care and lack of support from the employer, health care institutes and other related institutes. Low level of comprehension of workers and less manpower in health care and other institutions were other contributing factors.Conclusions: Low priority given for respiratory health care by the workers, poor work environment and less support from the mill owner and relevant government authorities have resulted in non-use of respiratory protective devices among rice mill workers. Improving unhealthy work behaviour such as non-use of respiratory protective devices of the informal work sector is recommended using industry-based health education programs.