Awareness of workplace hazards and preventive measures among sandstone mineworkers in Rajasthan, India: A cross-sectional study
Journal Title: Journal of Health and Social Sciences - Year 2017, Vol 2, Issue 1
Abstract
Objective: Th e aim of this study was to assess awareness of workplace hazards and personal protective equipments (PPEs) among mineworkers employed in a sandstone quarry in Rajasthan, India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 218 miners was conducted in Karauli, Rajasthan, India. We used a standardized semi-structured questionnaire that was administered to each subject by face-to-face interviews. Descriptive statistics and Pearson chi-square test were used to show frequency distributions and associations between variables. Results: Almost all respondents were aware of at least one hazard in mining occupation (93.6%), but no of them was trained by a recent (within 1 year) health and safety training course. However, mineworkers recognized only the risk of injury (74.3%) and exposure to crystalline silica dust (40.4%). A high percentage of mineworkers were aware of PPEs (87.6%), but an only 16.5% of them used PPEs during their employment. Th e only PPEs mentioned by mineworkers was the dust protective mask. Occurrence of at least one occupational injury during work-life was associated with use of dust masks, while work-related diseases were associated with a low level of education, underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 ), and current smoking. Awareness of workplace hazards was associated with age less than 60, young age of starting work in mines (< 30 years), hours work per day (< 8 hr), and no availability of drinking water facility. Failure to use PPEs at work was statistically signifi cant associated with belonging to scheduled castes or scheduled tribes, lower distance from home to workplace (1‒3 Km), hours work per day (< 8 hr), and no availability of safe drinking water. Discussion and Conclusion: In Rajasthan, India, there is a certain level of awareness about workplace hazards but usage of PPEs by sandstone mineworkers is very low. Policy makers should implement health and safety training programmes to promote use of PPEs among mine workers.
Authors and Affiliations
Absar Ahamd
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP216275
- DOI 10.19204/2017/wrns6
- Views 133
- Downloads 0
Learning to live: The role of education policy for improving the quality of primary and preventative healthcare in the United States
From a policy standpoint, education and healthcare are often discussed separately in the United States. A review of the current literature reveals that education can be a strong predictor of individual health outcomes, i...
Tracking health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nepal
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) comprise of 17 goals and 169 targets. All SDGs are interlinked to produce synergetic eff ects and emphasize health in all policies. Among the 17 Goals, Goal 3 has a central focus on h...
Teenagers with type 2 diabetes mellitus as a hidden population: A qualitative study of the representations and experiences related to the disease in Mazatlán, Mexico
Objective: To analyze the representations that adolescents with type 2 diabetes mellitus living in Mazatlán, Mexico have of the disease. Methods: The study design was qualitative and based on an analytical approach of na...
Knowledge, attitude and predictors of diabetic retinopathy screening among patients with type 2 diabetes in Nairobi County, Kenya
Introduction: Aim of this study was to explore the level of knowledge and attitude towards diabetic retinopathy screening as well as predictors of its utilization amongst People Living With Diabetes (PLWD) in Nairobi Cou...
Journal of Health and Social Sciences: A reputable, DOAJ-indexed, free, open access journal
Three years ago, the Italian Society for Psychotherapy and Social Development (SIPISS) established the Journal of Health and Social Sciences (JHSS) as a forum for the interdisciplinary exchange of views from scientists f...