Evaluation of Occupational Hazards of Workers Working in Vital Tea Factory Tehsil Haroonabad District Bahawalnagar-Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Occupational health aims at prevention of disease and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations. Occupational health hazards refer to the potential risks to health and safety of workers at their workplaces. Tea factory workers are susceptible to a number of hazards due to physical, biological, mechanical, chemical and psychosocial factors. The present study tries to examine the occupational health hazards faced by the tea factory workers of Vital Tea Factory Tehsil Haroonabad, District Bahawalnagar.Objectives of study: To assess the occupational hazards of the workers working at Vital Tea Factory and to make recommendations for better occupational safety and health measures for workers of the factory. Material & Methods: It was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The place of study was factory workers of Vital Tea Factory, Tehsil Haroonabad, District Bahawalnagar. 63 respondents working in tea factory and they were included in the study and questions were asked to assess the occupational hazards to which the workers are exposed.Results: Results showed that most of the workers of the factory were educated. Only 4 (6.3%) sustained accidental injuries. Among them, finger cut was seen in three respondents and one sustained laceration to finger. With tea dust, 16 (25.4%) workers suffered cough while only 9.5% suffered cough and sneezing. Headache was seen in 10 (15.9%) individuals and tinnitus in only 3 (4.8%). With humidity and increased temperature, 12 (19%) suffered body aches, 3 (4.8%) faced heat cramps. All basic facilities like adequate lighting, fencing around machines, ventilated rooms, food and catering and proper sanitation were provided.Conclusion: This study was conducted to explore health hazards posed to tea factory workers. Tea industry is not a high risk industry as is evident that majority of respondents did not get job related illnesses. It was a pleasant sign that this particular factory is located outside of residential areas of city.

Keywords: Occupational Hazards, Injury, Tea Factory Workers.

Type of paper: Original Research Article.