Transcript Document

Occupational safety and health in agriculture- The
BOHS approach
BOHS series
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Definition of agriculture
Agricultural and forestry activities carried out in agricultural undertakings including
 Crop production, forestry activities, animal husbandry and insect raising, the
primary processing of agricultural and animal products by or on behalf of the
operator of the undertaking.
 As well as the use and maintenance of machinery, equipment, appliances, tools,
and agricultural installations, including any process, storage, operation or
transportation in an agricultural undertaking, which are directly related to
agricultural production.
REF: ILO convention no. 184
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INTRODUCTION
 An estimated 1.3 billion workers are engaged in agricultural production
worldwide. This represents half of the total world labour force.
 Almost 60% of them are in developing countries.
 A great majority of agricultural workers are found in Asia, which is the most
densely populated region of the world, with more than 40% of the world's
agricultural population concentrated in China and more than 20% in India.
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Specific features of agricultural work
 most tasks are carried out in the open air, exposing workers to climatic
conditions;
 the seasonal nature of the work and the urgency of certain tasks in specific
periods;
 a wide variety of tasks are performed by the same person;
 the type of working postures and the length of the tasks performed;
 contact with animals and plants exposing workers to bites, poisoning,
infections, parasitic diseases, allergies, toxicity and other health problems;
 the use of chemicals and biological products ;
 the considerable distances between living quarters and workplaces.
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LABOUR FORCE IN AGRICULTURE
 Lack of clear-cut distinctions between different categories of workers.
 Numerous types of labour relations and different forms of labour force
participation.
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PRINCIPLES OF BOHS
The following principles will be applied in the organization of Basic Occupational
Health Services:
 Available to all working people
 Addressing to local needs
 Adapted to local conditions
 Affordable to providers and clients
 Organized by the employer for employees
 Provided by the public sector for the self-employed and the informal sector
 Supported by intermediate level services
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BOHS MODEL
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ORIENTATION AND PLANNING
1. Analysis of the type of production indicating the risks and problems typical of
the branch or occupation in concern.
 Agriculture involves a wide range of different types of machinery, animals,
plants and products, working in both indoor and outdoor environments
 In India labour-intensive farming is much more common.
2. Review of problems that have been identified previously in the company
3. Review of the characteristics of the workforce of the company
 child labour , migrant workers , seasonal, migratory and casual labour.
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ORIENTATION AND PLANNING
4. Available data on occupational diseases and accidents
5. Data on working methods, chemical substances, etc.
6. The knowledge by employers and employees of occupational health problems
7. Plans for changes in production systems, e.g. installation of new facilities,
machinery and equipment
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SURVEILLANCE OF THE WORK ENVIRONMENT
1. Identification and evaluation of ergonomic factors which may affect the workers'
health
Ergonomic factors affecting the health outcomes of agricultural workers include:
 the nature of the physical work environment (noise, heat, lighting, thermal
comfort), the agricultural tasks to be performed;
 the technology applied to the prescribed tasks (including workplace design,
facility design, and agricultural material handling);
 the manner in which tasks are organized (including use of shift work); and
 Worker characteristics (including demographics, physiology, human error, and
identification and treatment of injured workers).
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SURVEILLANCE OF THE WORK ENVIRONMENT
2. Assessment of conditions of occupational hygiene and factors, such as
physical, chemical, and biological exposures which may generate risks to the
health of workers
3. Assessment, where appropriate, of exposure of workers to adverse
psychological factors and aspects of work organization
4. Assessment of risk of occupational accidents and major hazards
5. Assessment of collective and personal protective equipment
6. Assessment of control systems designed to eliminate, prevent or reduce
exposure
7. Assessment of general hygiene and sanitary facilities
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Occupational Health Problems in Agriculture
Risk of traumatism
Seasons, Unstable
loading
Physical work stress,
Accumulation of fatigue
The overtension
diseases
Over heating, Over
cooling
Open Air work
Weather Conditions,
Dust
Dust diseases
Noise, Vibration
Use of new technology
and machinery
Hearing loss, Vibration
diseases
Chemical pollution of
environment
Pesticides, fertilisers
etc.
Sensitization, Allergic
diseases
Contact with animals
and biopreparations
Biological hazards
Zoo-Anthroponoses
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Occupational Health Problems in Agriculture
Seasons,
Unstable loading
Open Air work
Physical work
stress,
Accumulation of
fatigue
Weather
Conditions, Dust
Risk of
traumatism
The overtension
diseases
Over heating,
Over cooling
Dust diseases
Contact with
animals and
biopreparations
Use of new
technology and
machinery
Noise, Vibration
Hearing loss,
Vibration
diseases
Pesticides,
fertilisers etc.
Chemical
pollution of
environment
Sensitization,
Allergic diseases
Biological
hazards
ZooAnthroponoses
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SURVEILLANCE OF WORKERS' HEALTH
The following types of health examinations are carried out either on the basis of
regulations or as a part of good occupational health practice:
1. Pre-assignment (pre-employment) health examinations
2. Periodic health examinations
3. Return to work health examinations
4. General health examinations
5. Health examinations at termination or after ending of service
 A new type of health examination has recently been introduced for assessment
of work ability of ageing workers.
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SURVEILLANCE OF WORKERS' HEALTH
 In the case of exposure of workers to specific hazards, medical and health
surveillance
should
include,
where appropriate,
any
examination
and
investigations which may be necessary to detect exposure levels and early
effects and responses which also bear in mind the biological difference between
women and men.
 Example, in pesticide handlers.
 Pre-employment screening should ensure that those with inherently low-level
cholinesterase do not undertake work with organophosphate or carbamate
pesticides
 baseline samples, periodic samples,
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ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS
A “hazard” is anything with the potential to do harm, whereas a “risk” is the
likelihood of potential harm from that hazard being realised.
 The identification of hazards in the workplace should take into account:
(a) the situation or events or combination of circumstances that have the potential
to give rise to injury or illness;
(b) the nature of potential injury or illness relevant to the activity, product or service;
(c) those likely to be harmed (e.g. young workers, older workers, temporary
workers, pregnant workers); and
(d) past injuries, incidents and illness.
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ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS
The steps in an occupational health risk assessment include:
1. Identification of occupational health hazards (as a result of surveillances)
Hazards
Description
Mechanical hazard
Poorly designed and/or guarded agricultural machinery is a major
cause of fatalities and accidents. Injuries from cutting tools are
another major risk.
Psycho social
low pay, sexual and other harassment, job insecurity, poor promotion
hazards
mechanisms, delay in payment of salaries.
Work organisation
badly organised shift work and working hours, excessive overtime,
hazards
lone working, lack of control over work.
Ergonomic hazards These hazards can cause permanent injuries and disablement. For
example: badly designed machinery, prolonged static working
positions, repetitive work, unsuitable tools used by workers, poor
seating
Others - Physical hazards , Biological hazards, chemical hazards, environmental
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ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS
2. Identification of workers or groups of workers exposed to specific hazards for
e.g. in tea plantation workers the hazards are different for pruners, pluckers,
sprayers
3. Analysis of how the hazard may affect the worker (ways of entry and type of
exposure, threshold limit values, dosage/ response relationships, adverse
health effects it may cause, etc.in case of sprayers who are in constant contact
with the pesticides)
4. Determination of intensity (level) and magnitude (volume) of risk
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ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS
5. Identification of individuals and groups with special vulnerabilities, e.g. young
workers, old workers, pregnant workers, temporary workers
6. Evaluation of available hazard prevention and control measures
7. Making conclusions and recommendations for the management and control of
risks
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ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS
Hierarchy of control measures for reducing risks in the work place.
A. Elimination
B. Substitution
C. Others
 technical and engineering control- enclosure, isolation, ventilation
 Safe systems of work- changing work schedules, extending rest periods,
training and information
 Issuing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
8. Documenting the findings of the assessment
9. Periodic review and, if necessary, reassessment of risks
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INFORMATION AND EDUCATION ON RISKS AND ADVICE
ON THE NEED FOR PREVENTIVE AND CONTROL ACTIONS
The information and education include the following aspects:
1. Workers in agriculture should have the right to be informed and consulted on
OSH matters including risks from new technologies; and
2. The workers have a right to know and get continuously information on hazards
related to their own work and the workplace.
3. The employer is responsible for training the workers on safe and healthy work
practices.
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INFORMATION AND EDUCATION ON RISKS AND ADVICE
ON THE NEED FOR PREVENTIVE AND CONTROL ACTIONS
4. The workers have a duty to follow the safety instructions and safe and healthy
work practices.
5. Confidential health information of an individual worker is subject to special
legislation and practices and to informed consent.
6. The advice provided by OHS personnel must be given in a form which is easily
understood by employers and workers.
7. Information given to various partners should be documented.
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PREVENTIVE ACTIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND
CONTROL OF HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARDS AND RISKS
 Control measures should be monitored and reviewed at regular intervals and if
necessary revised, especially when circumstances change or if new information
becomes available about the risks posed or the suitability of existing control
measures.
 Control measures should also be reviewed and if necessary revised following an
accident.
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PREVENTIVE ACTIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND
CONTROL OF HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARDS AND RISKS
The risk management actions may comprise:
• Control of hazards at the source
• Ventilation or control technology
• Dust control
• Ergonomic measures
• Use of personal protective equipment
• Regulation of thermal conditions, etc.
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PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS
1. Safe planning of facilities, machinery, etc.
 The employer should not permit the use of any unsafe or faulty equipment.
 The employer should ensure the provision of adequate information,
instruction and training for those using equipment, and that their skill levels
are periodically evaluated.
2. Good housekeeping, order and cleanliness
 The employer should ensure that workers are clearly instructed and
supervised in good housekeeping measures that can prevent slips, trips and
falls.
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PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS
3. Making walkways and other structures safe (e.g. scaffolds, fences)
 The employer shall ensure that: walking surfaces and stairs inside facilities
are equipped with adequate lighting; stairs and ladders are maintained in
good condition with handrails in place; .
4. Guarding dangerous machines- by providing enclosures, safety symbols
surrounding such places.
 Unauthorized persons should not be allowed to operate machinery. In
particular, children should be kept away from all agricultural equipment.
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PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS
5. Technical aids for moving and lifting heavy loads
 With regard to the use and maintenance of ladders, the employer should
ensure that appropriate, well-maintained equipment is available and is
appropriate to the task at hand. the use of mechanical means to lift or lower
heavy objects; and other practices appropriate to the task at hand.
6. Safe tools and safety equipment for workers
 Workers should use handholds when mounting and dismounting equipment.
7.
Analysis of major hazard risks and provision of "redundant safety"
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MAINTAINING PREPAREDNESS TO FIRST AID AND
PARTICIPATION IN EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
1. Providing first aid services at the workplace when appropriate
2. Introducing and training first aid practices to workers and supervisors
3. Maintaining and periodically inspecting the first aid readiness and facilities
4. Participating from the health point of view in emergency planning and organizing
the health elements in emergency response
Emergency
Date______________
Checklist
Step 1
Planning
N/A
preparedness
Self-audit
Step2
Yes
No
Priority
action
Step 3
for What action
required
1. Does the workplace have an emergency response plan?
2. Does the workplace have established emergency escape routes and procedures?
3. Does the workplace have a trained first-aider(s)?
4. Does the workplace have basic rescue equipment and are workers trained to use it?
is
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DIAGNOSIS OF OCCUPATIONAL AND WORKRELATED DISEASES
1. Identification of exposure which may cause the disease
2. Examination of clinical findings which are known to be associated with the
specific exposure (lists of occupational diseases)
3. Exclusion of non-occupational factors as a possible cause of disease
4. Conclusion on existence or non-existence of occupational disease (diagnosis)
5. Statement on occupational disease for workmen's compensation
6. Proposals for preventive actions to the workplace of the worker in concern
7. Notification of occupational diseases to authorities
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GENERAL
HEALTH
CARE,
REHABILITATION SERVICES
CURATIVE
AND
1. Immunizations and other preventive measures
2. Participation in public health actions and programmes
3. GP-level general health services
4. Inspection and advice on canteens, sanitary facilities
5. Advice and education in general personal and community hygiene
6. Actions for rehabilitation and adjustment of work for workers after injuries,
diseases, reduced work ability and on return to work from long sick leaves
7. General health promotion and introduction of healthy lifestyles
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RECORD KEEPING
1. General health record, if the workers are treated as patients or health service
clients
2. Data on surveyed, detected and measured occupational exposures and risk
assessments made
3. Statistics on occupational diseases and injuries
4. Data on health examinations
5. Documents on proposals for preventive and control measures
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EVALUATION
1. Evaluation is carried out as an inbuilt part of BOHS activity, at least annually
2. Evaluation is made when the working methods, production structures or other
aspects at work are substantially changed
3. Evaluation is made if the methods or conditions of operation of services are
substantially changed
4. The following questions are answered through evaluation:
a) Do the services respond to the needs of the workplace?
b) Are the activities directed to priority problems?
c) Is good occupational health practice followed?
d) Are the resources, human and technical, sufficient?
e) Are the services effective in elimination of health problems?
f) What can be improved?
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Provision of BOHS
 Primary health services model
 Big company model with in-company services
 Group services organized jointly, e.g. by several SMEs
 Social security institution as a service provider
 Private physician who has special competence in occupational health
 Private health centre either providing occupational health services only or
occupational health as a part of its services
 Local or regional outpatient clinic of hospitals
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AIMING FOR
THIS
CHANGE
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References
 BOHS. a response to the Joint ILO/WHO Committee on Occupational Health priority area
for ILO/WHO/ICOH collaboration, with support of the Finnish Institute of Occupational
Health (FIOH). Author: Professor Jorma Rantanen. 3rd, revised edition, Helsinki 28
September 2007
 Safety and health in agriculture. Programme on safety, health and the environment.
Labour Protection Department. ILO.
 Code of practice on safety and health in agriculture .2010. INTERNATIONAL LABOUR
OFFICE GENEVA.
 Top on the agenda: Health and safety in agriculture.
Labour Education 2000/ 1-2
Nos. 118/119. ILO
 Health, Safety and Environment: A Series of Trade Union Education Manuals for
Agricultural Workers Written by: Peter Hurst & Peter Kirby. ILO.
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Contributors
 Dr. Shwetha Marali, Senior Resident, Department of Community Health, St.
John’s Medical College
 Dr. Bobby Joseph, Professor and Head, Division of Occupational Health
Services of the same Department..
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