Sidhiprada Mohapatra1, Alfiya Shaikh2, Priyanka Nayak3, Rajesh Navada4. 1. Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Udupi, Karnataka, India. 2. Postgraduate Student, Department of Exercise and Sports Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Udupi, Karnataka, India. 3. Postgraduate Student, Department of Physiotherapy, KMC Mangalore, Manipal University, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India. 4. Assistant Lecturer, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Udupi, Karnataka, India.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Globalization and urbanization have resulted in an increased demand on sand dredging. Legal and environmental restrictions on automated dredging have led to a rise in manual technique. The working techniques and environment involved in manual sand dredging may expose the workers to multiple work related disorders. AIM: To determine the health risks and occupational hazards involved in manual sand dredging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An assessment schedule was developed and content was validated by five experts for the study. A cross-sectional study was then conducted using this assessment schedule. Thirty manual sand dredgers were recruited from three randomly selected docks on Swarna riverbed in Udupi district, Karnataka, India. A detailed work and worksite assessments were conducted using systematic observation and close-ended questions. Work-related health risk evaluation included onsite-evaluation and self-reported health complains. RESULTS: The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and discomfort was 93.34% with lower back (70%), shoulder (56.7%) and neck (46.7%) involvements being most common regions. Prevalence of sensory deficits at multiple site and ear pain was 66.6% and 76.6% respectively. All the workers recruited, complained of dermatological and ophthalmic involvements. Also, lack of health and safety measures like personal protective devices and security schemes were identified. CONCLUSION: This study shows a high prevalence of multiple work-related disorders and hazards involved in manual sand dredging, a highly demanding job in coastal Karnataka. Lack of health and safety measures were also identified.
INTRODUCTION: Globalization and urbanization have resulted in an increased demand on sand dredging. Legal and environmental restrictions on automated dredging have led to a rise in manual technique. The working techniques and environment involved in manual sand dredging may expose the workers to multiple work related disorders. AIM: To determine the health risks and occupational hazards involved in manual sand dredging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An assessment schedule was developed and content was validated by five experts for the study. A cross-sectional study was then conducted using this assessment schedule. Thirty manual sand dredgers were recruited from three randomly selected docks on Swarna riverbed in Udupi district, Karnataka, India. A detailed work and worksite assessments were conducted using systematic observation and close-ended questions. Work-related health risk evaluation included onsite-evaluation and self-reported health complains. RESULTS: The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and discomfort was 93.34% with lower back (70%), shoulder (56.7%) and neck (46.7%) involvements being most common regions. Prevalence of sensory deficits at multiple site and ear pain was 66.6% and 76.6% respectively. All the workers recruited, complained of dermatological and ophthalmic involvements. Also, lack of health and safety measures like personal protective devices and security schemes were identified. CONCLUSION: This study shows a high prevalence of multiple work-related disorders and hazards involved in manual sand dredging, a highly demanding job in coastal Karnataka. Lack of health and safety measures were also identified.
Authors: K Fredriksson; L Alfredsson; C B Thorbjörnsson; L Punnett; A Toomingas; M Torgén; A Kilbom Journal: Am J Ind Med Date: 2000-11 Impact factor: 2.214
Authors: Subas Neupane; Päivi Leino-Arjas; Clas-Håkan Nygård; Jodi Oakman; Pekka Virtanen Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2016-11-04 Impact factor: 4.402
Authors: Manuel Hita-Gutiérrez; Marta Gómez-Galán; Manuel Díaz-Pérez; Ángel-Jesús Callejón-Ferre Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-04-12 Impact factor: 3.390