Risk rating in the tea planting industry: The employees′ opinion

Abstract

Background:Workers in the tea planting industry are exposed to a variety of occupational health and safety hazards. Whether the workers perceive the risks involved and to what degree is an interesting point in question.Aims:To identify occupational health and safety risks involved in the tea planting sector and to rate these risks from the workers’ perspective.Settings and Design:Permanent workers from four estates belonging to one tea planting company in southern India were enlisted in this descriptive studyMaterials and Methods:The sample was randomly and then proportionately selected to give a total number equal to the calculated sample size of 341. Data were collected by reviewing medical records, conducting focus group discussions with field officers and supervisors, worker interviews and key informant interviews with the management in these four estates. Proportions were used to describe occurrence and distribution of work-related injuries. The risks as perceived by the workers were rated on their severity and frequency, using a Risk Rating Matrix.Results and Conclusion:The incidence of injuries was greater among male workers, those working both in the field and factory and those handling multiple tasks. The most common morbidities suffered were “small cuts and abrasions” in about 53%of the workers. Backache and insect bites were assigned the highest risk rating scores. Continued monitoring of the risk assessment by the workers could help in a planned reduction of commonly occurring injuries by agreeing on a specified risk limit.

Assessment of self-perceived risk and risk rating among chemical sprayers in selected tea plantations in South India

“…Backaches and insect bites attained the highest risk rating score in that study. 13 These differences could be because this study included only chemical sprayers whereas the other study also had workers from the factory and also women involved in tea plucking were included in the study group. Musculoskeletal disorders among these chemical sprayers have been presented elsewhere.…”

Impact of Occupational Hazards on the Technical Efficiencies of Oil Palm Processors in Edo State, Nigeria

“…However, other factors contribute to occupational dangers, many of which are frequently intimately linked to jobs. Numerous research studies have supplied data on illnesses and occupational dangers in the agriculture industry (Joseph and Minj, 2010). In agricultural settings, machinery has the highest incidence and fatality rates of injuries (Yiha and Kumie, 2010).…”