Occupational Health and Safety Hazards in Rice Farming in Ghana

Abstract

The paper explored specific hazards prevalent in rice farming in Ghana. Ten respondents, including rice irrigation scheme managers, extension officers and rice farmers, were interviewed and observed in a qualitative study. The deductive thematic analysis was use to analyse the transcribed interview data and themes were organised on the semantic level. It emerged that rice farmers in Ghana were exposed to myriad of biological, ergonomic, physical and chemical health and safety hazards. These hazards have enormous health and safety implications for the farmers, if preventive measures are not put in place. The need for appropriate personal protective equipment and protective wears are high recommended given that most of the hazards identified are inherent in the rice farming process.

Keywords: Health and safety hazards, Rice farm workers, production agriculture, biological hazards, ergonomic hazards

DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-21-10

Publication date:July 31^st 2020