Assessment of work-related health hazards, personal hygiene and utilization of personal protective equipment’s among stone quarry workers: a cross sectional study in Central India

Manish A. Prasad; Nirmal Verma; Kamlesh Jain; Pradeep Dewangan

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20193481

Authors

Manish A. Prasad Department of Community Medicine, Pt. JNM Medical College, Raipur, India
Nirmal Verma Department of Community Medicine, Pt. JNM Medical College, Raipur, India
Kamlesh Jain Department of Community Medicine, Pt. JNM Medical College, Raipur, India
Pradeep Dewangan Department of Community Medicine, Pt. JNM Medical College, Raipur, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20193481

Keywords:

Stone quarry, Respiratory problems, Personal hygiene, Personal protective equipments

Abstract

Background: It is estimated that exposures in the workplace account for around one in ten cases respiratory morbidities in adulthood. Being a respiratory ailment, this group of disorders impairs the pulmonary functions. The objective of the study was to assess the work-related health hazards, personal hygiene and utilization of personal protective equipments among stone quarry workers in Wardha district in Maharashtra.

Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted among 348 subjects working in the stone quarries situated in Yelakeli, Deoli, Paloti, Pulgaon, Borgaon, Nachangaon in Wardha district in Maharashtra.

Results: 114 (32.75%) of the people reportedly had respiratory problems, body ache was reported by 154 (44.2%), eye problem was reported by 66 (18.9%), fever was told by 13 people (3.7%), other problems (like hearing related, skin, GIT etc) reported were 14 (4.02%). Chi-square test was found to be non-significant.

Conclusions: None of the workers had undergone pre-placement examination. Personal protective measures are rarely used by stone quarry workers.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Occupational Health Management in the Quarry Industry. Quarries National Joint Advisory Committee, 2004. Available at http://www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/meetings/committees/qnjac /qnjac-ohg.pdf. Accessed 5 January 2014.

Yin LM, Hsieh WA, Tseng CC et al. Occupational exposure assessment and health hazard analysis of stone workers. J Occu Safety and Health. 2011;19(2):433-47.

Elmes PC. Inorganic dusts. In: Raffle PA, Adams PH, Baxter PJ and Lee WR (eds.) 8th ed. Hunter’s Diseases of Occupations. London, Edward Arnold Publications; 1994: 421-428.

Kamat SR, Thiruvengdam KV, Rao TL. A study of pulmonary function among Indians and assessment of wright’s peak flow meter in relation to spirometer for field use. Amer Rev Resp Dis. 1967;96(4):707-16.

Mathur ML, Dixit AK. A study of forced vital capacity and its predictors among the sand stone quarry workers. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 1999;43(3):347-54.

Sharma DB, Patel TA, Varshney AM. A study on health aspects of agate workers in Shakarpura- Khambat. J Indian Asso Prev Social Med. 2011;2(1):41-5.

Tiwari RR, Sharma YK, Saiyed HN. Peak expiratory flow: a study among silica-exposed workers, India. Indian J Occup Environ Med. 2004;8(1):7-10.

Aliyu AA, Shehu AU. Occupational hazards and safety measures among stone quarry workers in northern Nigeria. Niger Med Pract. 2006;50(2):42-7.

Ugbogu OC, Ohakwe J, Foltescu V. Occurrence of respiratory and skin problems among manual stone-quarrying workers. Afr J Resp Med. 2009;23-26.

Singh SK, Chowdhary GR, Chhangani VD, Purohit G. Quantification of reduction in forced vital capacity of sand stone quarry workers. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2007;4(4):296-300.

Ghotkar VB, Maldhure BR, Zodpey SP. Involvement of lung and lung function tests in stone quarry workers. Ind J Tub. 1995;42:155-60.

Aghilinejad M, Naserbakht A, Naserbakht M, Attari G. Silicosis among stone- cutter workers: a cross-sectional study. Tanaffos. 2012;11(2):38-41.

Adams JS, Raju R, Solomon V, Samuel P, Dutta AK, Rose JS, et al. Increasing compliance with protective eyewear to reduce ocular injuries in stone-quarry workers in Tamil Nadu, India: a pragmatic, cluster randomized trial of a single education session versus an enhanced education package delivered over six months. Injury. 2013;44(1):118-25.