KERALA UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES KERALA

“A STUDY ON OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES AMONG INDUSTRIAL WORKERS IN PALAKKAD, KERALA”

BY
ALAN THOMAS, AMAL GOUDAMAN, ARYA SAJEEVAN, BRAMADATH SURESH, CHRISTINA MARTHA SUNNY, DEVARNATH A L,
FARIS DILBUR LUTFI, GOUTHAM KRISHNA, HANNAH ANN CHARLES, HEERA MADHAV,
JAIDEV VISHWA & KEERTHI C S

STUDY SUBMITTED TO THE

Kerala University of Health Sciences, Kerala, Thrissur

Under the guidance of

Dr. LOVELY S LIVINGSTON. M. D. ASSISTANT PROFFESOR

And co-guidance of
Dr. PRATHVIM RAJ. M.D. ASSISTANT PROFFESOR
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE

PK DAS INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES, VANIYAMKULAM – 679522 KERALA, INDIA.

2020
KERALA UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES, KERALA
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We thank ALMIGHTY for having blessed us with the ability to accomplish this task.

We sincerely thank the Management of PK DAS INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL

SCIENCES for providing us with all facilities and support for conducting this study

We are thankful to our former principal Dr. K N GOPAKUMARAN KARTHA M.D,

and our principal Dr. M A ANDREWS M.D, Principal, PK DAS Institute of Medical

Sciences, Vaniyamkulam for their constant support, guidance, valuable advice and

encouragement in fulfilling this work. We also thank them for permitting us to use the

college facilities during the course of study.

It is with great pleasure and respect, we thank Dr GEORGE P JACOB M.D, Professor and

HOD, Department of Community Medicine, PK DAS Institute of Medical Sciences,

Vaniyamkulam, who have been a source of inspiration and helped us throughout our study.

It gives us an immense pleasure to express our deepest gratitude and sincere thanks to our

teacher and guide Dr. LOVELY S LIVINGSTON M.D. ASSISTANT PROFFESOR and

Co guide Dr. PRATHVIM RAJ M.D. ASSISTANT PROFFESOR Department of

Community Medicine, PKDAS Institute of Medical Sciences, Vaniyamkulam for their

guidance, valuable advice, constant Support and encouragement during the entire course of

the study.
We thank Dr AMRUTH, Dr SACHIN, Dr JUBINA, Dr RADHIKA, Dr ANISH and all the
Faculty members of community Medicine department for their support.

We thank Ms. DRISHYA, Statistician and Mr. JAYASHANKAR Health Inspector, PKDAS

Institute of Medical Sciences, for the assistance and support during the study.

We also thank all the technical and non-technical staff of the Department of Community
Medicine, PK DAS Institute of Medical Sciences, for their support during the study.

We sincerely thank our beloved parents for all the support and love

Lastly, my sincere respect and thanks to all the people who have contributed in compilation of
this work, though their names do not appear here, they are always present in our hearts.

DATE:

PLACE: VANIYAMKULAM GROUP A STUDENTS

 GROUP A MEMBERS

ROLL NUMBER 1 ALAN THOMAS K

ROLL NUMBER 2 AMAL GOUDAMAN
ROLL NUMBER 3 ARYA SAJEEVAN
ROLL NUMBER 4 BRAMADUTH S
ROLL NUMBER 5 CHRISTINA MARTHA SUNNY
ROLL NUMBER 6 DEVARNATH A L
ROLL NUMBER 7 FARIS DILBUR LUTFI
ROLL NUMBER 8 GOUTHAM KRISHNA
ROLL NUMBER 9 HANNAH ANN CHARLES
ROLL NUMBER 10 HEERA MADHAV
ROLL NUMBER 11 JAIDEV VISHWA
ROLL NUMBER 12 KEERTHI C S
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

SL.NO TOPICS PAGE NO.

1 INTRODUCTION 1
2 OBJECTIVE 6
3 REVIEW OF LITERATURE 7
4 METHODOLGY 23
5 RESULTS 25
6 DISCUSSION 41
7 SUMMARY 42
8 CONCLUSION 43
9 LIMITATIONS 44
10 RECOMMENDATIONS 45
11 BIBILIOGRAPHY 46
12 ANNEXURE 49
 INTRODUCTION

Industrialization is the process of converting to a socio-economic order in which industry is

dominant. It is transformed from primarily agricultural to one based on the manufacturing of

goods. Individual manual laboring is often replaced by mechanized mass production, and

craftsmen are replaced by assemble lines. Through industrialization the economy of a country

is dramatically transformed so that the means whereby it produces material commodities is

increasingly mechanized since human and animal labor is increasingly replaced by other,

predominantly mineral sources of energy in direct application to the production of useful

commodities.
REASONS FOR WORKING IN INDUSTRIES:

People choose to work in industries due to various benefits available at the time of
employment and further. The facilities available include:

1.medical insurance: includes cost of physician and surgeon fees, hospital rooms and
prescribed drugs. It may sometimes include employee’s family.

2.disability insurance: replaces the income that is lost when the worker is unable to perform
their job because of illness or injuries.

3.life insurance: for the benefits of the family.

4.retirement benefits: income given after they end career.

5.paid time off: earned by employee while they work during holidays, sick leave, and
vacation leaves.

6.fringe benefits: non cash payments used to attract and retain talented employees.
INDUSTRIAL WORKING POPULATION

Global statistics reveal that there was an increase of 10.6% in the total number of individual workers over a

time period of 10 years from 2009 to 2019. Currently 3.489 billion individuals depend on industrial work

for their mode of living.

When considering India ; Statistics of total number of industrial workers for the past 10 years show that the

number of agricultural workers has by 8.91% and there was an increase of 3.28% in industrial workers.

There was an increase of workers in various other industrial sectors by 5.67%. Currently 4.87million people

are involved in industrial work in India.

PREVALENCE OF OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS AMONG INDUSTRIAL

WORKERS

The International labour organization and WHO have been key players in the effort to enumerate the

occupational diseases faced in the industries globally. The estimates show that 5-7% of global fatalities

attributed by work related illness and occupational injuries. They estimate that globally there are 2.3

million occupationally related deaths each year attributable to work with the majority, 2.0million, being

due to occupational diseases.

Overall, cancer forms the largest component (32%) followed by work related circulatory

diseases (23%), communicable diseases (17%) and occupational accidents (18%) with the latter two far

more prevalent in developing and rapidly industrializing countries.

In occupationally related cancer deaths, the most important causes are asbestos, diesel engine exhaust, silica and

SHS (second hand smoke) at work.

Occupational exposure to asthmagens and PMGF is also estimated to cause a large number of deaths.

Occupational health hazards commonly found are

1.Lung diseases: include asbestosis among asbestos workers, coal worker’s pneumoconiosis in coal miners

(18.8%). silicosis among miners, byssinosis among workers in cotton industry. Occupational asthma common

among large majority due to bad indoor air quality.

2.Skin disease: eczema is more common but urticaria, sunburns and skin cancer are also of concern. Contact

dermatitis due to contact with irritants like detergents, acids, alkalis, oils, etc.

3.Other diseases of concern are: Overuse syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, computer vision syndrome, lead

poisoning etc.
4.PREVENTIVE MEASURES ADOPTED IN INDIA

In India prevalence of occupational diseases increased from 28% to 46%. So the ministry of health and family

welfare, government of India launched a programme entitled “national programme for control and treatment of

occupational diseases” in 1998-99. National institute of occupational health, Ahmedabad is nodal agent for the

same.

Prevention of occupational diseases is grouped into:

I. Medical measures

II. Engineering measures

I. Medical measures :

a.Preplacement examination: it includes the workers medical, family and social history. It is
done at the time of employment.
b.Periodical examination
c.Medical and health care services
d.Notification
e.Supervision of working environment
f.Maintenance and analysis of records
g.Health education and counselling
II.Engineering measures :

a.Design of the building

b.General ventilation
c.Good housekeeping
d.Mechanization
e.Substitution
f.Dusts
g.Enclosure
h.Isolation
i.Local exhaust ventilation
 j. Protective devices
k.Environmental monitoring
l.Statistical monitoring
m.. Research

III.Legislative factors

1. The factory act 1948

2. The employees state insurance act 1948
Need for study: The trend in India is towards Industrialization. As industries develop both in size

and complexity, occupational health will pose new and more difficult problems. So it is very

important to assess the working environment and health conditions of the workers. It is also

important to analyze whether the legislative measures put forward by the Government of India is

implemented properly in the industries The present study aims at assessing the health hazards of the

workers in the factories and the various measures for the prevention of occupational diseases which

have been implemented in the factories

AIM

To study the occupational diseases among industrial workers in Palakkad

OBJECTIVE

1. To access the morbidity pattern among industrial workers in Palakkad

2. To access the preventive measure against occupational disease in this population
3. To provide health education for study population
 REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Occupational health should aim at promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental,

social well-being of workers in all occupations, the prevention among workers of departures from health

caused by their working conditions, the protection of workers in the their employment from risk resulting

from factors adverse to health , the placing and maintenance of workers in an environment adapted to his

physiological and psychological equipment and to summarize and the adaptation of work to man and of

each man to his job.

Occupational Environment

By occupational environment is meant the sum of external conditions and influences which prevail at

the place of worn d which have a bearing on the health of the working population. The industrial

worker today is placed in a highly complicated environment which is getting more complicated and

man is becoming more ingenious. Basically there are three types of interaction in a working

environment:

a)Man and physical, chemical and biological agents

b)Man and machine

c)Man and man

Occupational Hazards

An industrial worker maybe exposed to five types of hazards depending upon his occupation:
a)Physical hazards
b)Chemical hazards
c)Biological hazards
d)Mechanical hazards
e)Psychosocial hazards

a. Physical hazards include

I. Heat and cold
II. Light
III. Noise
IV. Vibration
V. Ultraviolet radiation
VI. Ionizing radiation
Chemical hazards include

i. Local action: some chemicals cause dermatitis, ulcers, eczema and even cancer by
primary irritant action, some cause dermatitis by an allergic action.
.

ii.Inhalational: dust, gases, metals and their compounds. Ingestion: occupational

diseases may also result from ingestion of substances such as lead, mercury, arsenic,
zinc, chromium, cadmium, phosphorus etc.

Biological hazards include

Workers can be exposed to infective and parasitic agents at the place of work.

The occupational diseases in this category are Brucellosis, Leptospirosis, Anthrax,

Hydatidosis, Psittacosis, Tetanus, Encephalitis, Fungal infections, Schistosomiasis, and
host of others.
Mechanical Hazards include

The mechanical hazards in industries center round machinery, protruding, and moving parts and the

like. About 10% of the accidents in the industries are said to be due to mechanical causes.

Psychosocial Hazards include

The psychosocial hazards arise from the worker’s failure to adapt to an alien psychosocial

environment. Frustration, lack of job satisfaction, insecurity, poor human relationships, and emotional

tensions are some of the psychosocial factors which may undermine both physical and mental health of

the patients.
The capacity to adapt to different working environments is influenced by many factors such as

education, cultural backgrounds, family life, social habits, and what the worker expects from

employment. The health effects can be classified in two main categories:

a)Psychological and behavioral changes – aggressiveness, depression, alcoholism, drug abuse,

sickness etc.

b)Psychosomatic ill health – fatigue, headache, pain in shoulders, neck and back, peptic ulcer,

hypertension, heart disease and rapid aging.

Occupational Diseases:

Occupational diseases are usually defined as diseases arising out of or in the course of employment.

I. Diseases due to physical agents :

a. Heat : heat hyperpyrexia, heat exhaustion, heat syncope, heat cramps, burns and local effects
such as prickly heat
b. Cold : trench foot, frost bite, chilblains
c. Light: occupational cataract, miner’s nystagmus,
d. Pressure: air embolism, blast,
e. Noise: occupational deafness
f. Radiation: cancer, leukaemia, aplastic anaemia, pancytopenia
g. Mechanical factors : injuries and accidents
h. Electricity: Burns
II.Diseases due to chemical agents
a.Gases : CO2, CO, HCN, CS2, NH3, N2, H2S, HCl , SO2 – these cause gas poisoning
b.Dust (pneumoconiosis)

i.Inorganic dust
1.Coal dust : anthracosis
2.Silica : silicosis
3.Asbestos : Asbestosis , lung cancer
4.Iron: Siderosis
ii.Organic (vegetable dust)
1.Cane fibre : Bagassosis
2.Cotton dust : Byssinosis
3.Tobacco : Tobacossis
4.Hay or grain dust : farmer’s lung

c.Metals and their compounds: toxic hazards from lead, cadmium, mercury, beryllium, manganese,
arsenic, chromium etc.
d.Chemicals: alkalis, acids, pesticides.
e.Solvents: Carbon disulphide, benzene, trichloro ethylene, chloroform etc.
III. Diseases due to biological agents: Brucellosis, Leptospirosis, Anthrax, Hydatidosis,

Actinomycosis, Psittacosis, Tetanus, Encephalitis, Fungal Infections etc.

IV. Occupational cancers : skin cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer

V. Occupational dermatosis : eczema, dermatitis

VI. Diseases of psychological origin: industrial neurosis, hypertension, peptic ulcer etc.
Health problems due to industrialization

Industrialization implies the transformation of a peasant society into a community dependent

upon the industries. It involves individual and collective technical skills for the manufacture
of particular goods through highly specialized process. The community health problems
arising out of industrialization may be enumerated as follows:

I. Environmental sanitation problems

a.Housing
b.Water pollution
c.Air pollution
d.Sewage disposal
II. Communicable diseases – TB , venereal diseases, food and water borne infections

III.Food sanitation – Typhoid fever , viral hepatitis

IV. Mental health - failure of adjustment leads to mental illness, psychoneurosis etc.

V. Accidents

VI.Social problems – prostitution, alcoholism, increased divorces, breaking up of home etc

V. Morbidity and mortality

Measures of health protection of workers

I. Nutrition

II.Communicable disease control

.

III.Environmental sanitation – water supply, food, toilet, sufficient space, lighting,

ventilation, temperature, protection against hazards, housing

IV.Mental health

V.Measures for women and children

VI.Health education

VII.Family planning
Prevention of occupational diseases

I. Medical measures :

a. Preplacement examination: it includes the workers medical, family asocial history. It is

done at the time of employment.
b.Periodical examination
c. Medical and health care services
d.Notification
e. Supervision of working environment
f. Maintenance and analysis of records
g.Health education and counseling
II. Engineering measures :

a.Design of the building

b.Good housekeeping
c.General ventilation
d.Mechanization
e.Substitution
f.Dusts
g.Enclosure
h.Isolation
i. Local exhaust ventilation
j. Protective devices
k.Environmental monitoring
l. Statistical monitoring
m.Research
 Legislation

Society has an obligation to protect the health of the worker engaged in diverse occupations. It has
grown out of the realization that the worker is more important than the machine which he operates.
Factory laws therefore have been framed in every country to govern the conditions in industry and to
safeguard the health and welfare of the worker. The most important factory laws in India today are:
1. The factories Act, 1948
2.The employees’ state Insurance Act, 1948

There are other specialized Acts adapted to the particular circumstances of the industry, e.g.: the mines
Act,
The plantation Act, the minimum wages Act, the maternity benefit Act, etc.
All these Acts lay down certain standards to which the employer must comply to ensure health and safety
with workers
.

THE FACTORIES ACT, 1948

The first Indian factories Act dates as far back as 1881. The Act was revised and amended several

times, the latest being the factories amendment) Act, 1948.

The Act includes:

1. Scope : the Act defines factory as an establishment employing 10 or more workers where power is

used and 20 or more workers where power is not used. There is no distinction between perennial

and seasonal factories.

2. Health , safety and welfare: Elaborate provisions are made in the Act with regard to health, safety

and welfare of the workers.

4. Employment of young workers: The Act prohibits employment of children below the age of 14
years and declares persons between the ages 15 and 18 to be adolescents. Adolescents need to be
duly certified by the “certifying surgeons” regarding their fitness for work. Restriction has been
laid down on employment of women and children in certain dangerous occupational.
5. hours of work: the Act has prescribed a maximum of 48 hours working per weekend not more
than 9 hours per day with rest for at least ½ hour after 5 hours continuous work.
6. leave with wages: the Act lays down that besides weekly holidays every worker will be entitled
to leave with wages after 12 months continuous service at the following rate- adults-one day for
every 20 days of work, children- one day for every 15 days of work. The leave can be
accumulated up to 30 days in case of adults and 40 days in case of children.
7. occupational diseases: It is obligatory on the part of the factory management to give information
regarding specified accidents which cause death, serious bodily injury or regarding occupational
diseases contracted by employees.
THE EMPLOYEES STATE INSURANCE ACT, 1948

The ESI Act passed in 1948 is an important measure of social security and health insurance in this
country.it provides for certain cash and medical benefits to industrial employees in case of sickness,
maternity, and employment injury. The Act extended to all India. The ESI Act of 1948 covered all power
using factories other than seasonal factories wherein 10 or more persons were employed.

Benefits of employees included in the Act:

Medical benefits

Sickness benefits

Maternity benefits

Disability benefits

Dependents’ benefits

Funeral expenses

Rehabilitation allowance
Occupational health in India

The trend in India is towards industrialization. As industries develop, both in size and complexity,

occupational health will pose new and more difficult problems. The national government has

recognized the need for protecting the health of the workers. The directive principles of the state

policy, in the Indian constitution are important in this context. The relevant portions are:

a) The state shall in particular direct its policy towards securing that the health and strength of the

workers, man , woman, and the tender age of children are not abused, and the citizens are not

forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their strength.

b) The state shall make provisions for securing just and humane conditions of work. To assess the

health of workers a number of inquiries have been conducted and were submitted to the government

of India by experts. At present there is no comprehensive occupational health service in India.

However there are various organizations active in the field of occupational health. The Indian

association of occupational health is playing an important role in the promotion of occupational

health. 1
International Studies

1. In a study conducted by Ahmad Alghadir and Shahnawaz Anwar on Prevalence of

musculoskeletal pain in construction workers in Saudi Arabia in the year of 2015 concluded that
prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among the workers in Saudi Arabia is high. The majority had
low back pain and knee pain. They are at risk of severe musculoskeletal disorders and often
complains of dull aching followed by cramping.2
2. Another study conducted by Nahid Sultana, Jannatul Ferdousi, Md. Shahidullah on Health
problems among women building construction workers. In Bangladesh in the year of 2014, found
that different types of health problems were prevalent amongst the workers in construction industry
often complains of back pain and musculoskeletal injuries. Necessary measures should be taken to
protect the workers by reducing exposure to prevailing hazards. In addition to that the workers
should be aware regarding the hazards in working place.3
3. In a study conducted by Jianjun Xiang, Peng BI, Dino Pisaniello, Alana Hansen on Health
impacts of workplace heat exposure in Australia, in the year of 2012, stated that manual workers who
are exposed to extreme heat or work in hot environments may be at risk of heat stress, especially for
workers in low-middle income countries in tropical regions. The potential impacts of workplace heat
exposure are to some extent underestimated due to underreporting of heat illness and lack of
awareness that heat exposure can increase the risk of work-related injuries.4

4. In another study conducted by Halvani GH, Jafarinodoushan R, Mirmohammadi SJ,

Mehrparvar AH on A survey on occupational accidents among construction industry workers in
Yaze city at Iran, in the year of 2011, It was found that the greatest rate of accident was falling and
the lowest was chocking. The relationship of accident outcomes with type of occupation and also
injured part of body was statistically significant in the construction industry.5
5. According to a study conducted by Pratik Adhikary, Steven Keen and Edwin Van

Teijlinken, on health issues among the Nepalese migrant workers in the middle east, in

Bournemouth England on Nepalese migrant workers in the Middle East in the year 2011, it was

found that being a migrant worker involves a number of specific risk including anxiety,

depression, tuberculosis and eye injury. Work related accidents and injury, headache, suicide

attempts, cardiac arrest, mental illness and high death rate are further evidence of health risk

among Asian migrant workers working in the Middle East, further more these workforces

generally have poor working and living conditions and less access to Healthcare facilities.6
6. In a study conducted by Shigeru Tomita, Sara Arphorn, Takashi Muto, Kanatid Koetkhlai, Saw

Sandy Naing, and Chalermchai Chaikittiporn on Prevalence and risk factors of low back pain

among Thai and Myanmar migrant sea food processing factory workers in Samut Sakorn province

in Thailand in the year 2010 concluded that seafood processing workers had high prevalence of low

back pain. Age, perception of health status, history of back injury, twisting posture was associated

with low back pain. The results suggest that health promotion should focus on working condition

rather than individual lifestyle in order to prevent low back pain.7

7. In another study conducted by S Mohammed Nazri, M.A. Tengku and T Winn on The
association of shift work and hypertension among male factory workers in Malaysia in the year of
2008 concluded that an increased susceptibility of shift workers to develope hypertension can be
explained by the fact that shift work triggers the effects of other lifestyle related factors, such as
cardiac rhythms, stress, and behavior modification like smoking, unhealthy diet, and decrease in
physical activity. 8
8. In a study conducted by Claire C. Caruso, Sally L. Lusk, and Brenda W. Gillespie on
Relationship of work schedules to gastrointestinal diagnosis, symptoms, and medication use in
auto factory workers in United States of America in the year of 2004 stated that the evening shift
was associated with more G.I. symptoms and diagnosis as scheduled variability increased the
probability of G.I. medication use increased in low noise exposure. Findings suggest that evening
shifts and widely varying work start and end times may increase risks of G.I. disturbances.9
9. In another study conducted by L.M.B. Rongo, G.I. Msamanga, D. Hedderik and W.M.V. Dolmans
on Occupational exposure and health problems in small scale industrial workers in Tanzania in the year
2004 it was found that there was high level of self reported to either dust, fumes, noise or sunlight in
certain occupational groups. There was a high level of self-reported occupational health problems,
particularly amongst welders and metalworkers. Workers reported their needs as permanent
workplaces, information on work related hazards, water, and sanitation, and legislation for SSI.10

10. In a study conducted by Thoreia Mohammed Mahmoud, Hosnia S, Abd El-Megeed, Sawsan
Mohammed Alaa El-Din and Hoda Diab Fahmy Ibrahim on . A study of occupational health
hazards among assiut spinning factory workers in Egypt in the year 2004, it was found that workers in
blending and picking department and combing and twisting department suffer from cough, chest pain
and dyspnea. The workers in different departments suffer also from hear disturbance, headache, and
blurring of vision.11
Indian Studies

1. According to a study conducted by Neerja Jaiswal and Vashima Veerkumar on Work

related musculoskeletal disorders among construction workers in Gujarat in the year 2016, it was found that
construction workers in building and civil engineering, have greater risk in gradually affecting their health and
developing sickness, as compared to Other industries. They are vulnerable to multiple physical, chemical, and
biological elements, thus developing various health problems like respiratory problems, dermatitis,
musculoskeletal disorders and gastrointestinal disease. With the increase in population, there is an increase in
demand of construction work hence the number of people affected by this industry would tend to increase in
coming years.12

2. In another study conducted by Gourab Biswas, Arkajit Battacharya, Rina Bhattacharya on , Occupational
health status of construction workers in Bihar in the year 2016, it was found that construction workers due to
poor working postures, bent postures, manual handling of heavy weights with lack of rest are commonly
affected by musculoskeletal disorders. The prevalence of lower back pain, shoulder pain with other body parts
discomfort is seen after daylong hard work.13
3. According to the study conducted by Dhanya G on Status of women employed in seafood
pre-processing units of Alapuzhain Kerala, in the year 2013, it was found that in sea food
pre-processing units has inadequate control of inhalational and skin exposure, which is
especially common in small and medium sized work places. Women employees also suffer
from back pain, arthritis and ulcer.14

4. In a study conducted by Surapati Pramanik and Sourendranath Chackrabarti on A

study on problems of construction workers in based on neutrosophic cognitive maps. In
West Bengal in the year of 2013 found that construction laborers work for more number of
hours then they have to stay away from home for more number of days. Stress, skin
problems, physical health problems will increase.15
5. According to a study conducted by Mesafint Molla Adane, Kassahun Alemu Gelaye, Getahun Kebede

Beyera, Hardeep Rai Sharma and Walelegn Worku Yalew, on A survey on occupational accidents among

construction industry workers in Haryana in the year 2013 it was found that work related injuries in

construction sector present a major public health problem resulting in serious social and economic

consequences, that could be prevented if appropriate measures are taken. The prevalence rate of work-related

injuries in the preceding year was 38.7%. Of the total injuries more than half (68.3%) reported by males

while the rest reported by female workers. Leading causes where fall from ground level, followed by over

exertion during lifting and fall from elevation. Old age, being male, job dissatisfaction, lack of vocational

training and working overtime where found to elevate the odds of having occupational injuries.

Countermeasures such as creating awareness, avoiding over time working, providing training and personal

protective devices, could be effective to decrease prevalence of occupational injuries. 16

6. In another study conducted by Somnath Gangopadhyay, Tarannum Ara, Samrath Dev, Goutam Ghoshal

and Tamal das on . An occupational health study of footwear manufacturing workers at Kolkata, in the year

2011, it was found that workers who are engaged in different footwear manufacturing activities are exposed to

leather the dust. It seems that inhalation of leather dust and toxic adhesives during work cause deposition of

small particles along the lining of alveoli that decreases the ventilation-perfusion ratio and thus reduces lung

capacity.17

7. In a study conducted by Senthil Kumar Nakkeeran and Subburethina Bharathi pugalenthi on a study on

occupational health hazards among women beedi rollers in in Chennai in the year 2010, it was observed that

women and children working in the Beedi rolling industry get exposed to tobacco. Their skin especially the

fingertips thin out and they are unable to roll beedies by the age of 45.18
 METHODOLOGY

Study Design:
Cross sectional study

Study Area:
Four Factories (Metal, Wood, Pharmaceutical and Quarry) in Palakkad

Study Period:
One month (February 15 to March 14 2020)

Study Population:
All the employees in the factories who are willing to participate in the study.

Inclusion Criteria:
All Workers present at the time of study in the factories that are willing for the study
Exclusion Criteria:
Administrative staffs and supervisors and those who didn’t give consent for the study

Sampling Method:
Purposive/convenient sampling

Materials Used:

Pre tested , semi structured questionnaire was used for collecting data/information from workers consisting

general information about the industry, participant, occupational health problems, participant habits, medical

measures, engineering methods and legislation.

Statistical Methods:

Data was entered in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS version 22. The data was analyzed using

descriptive statistics
Method of Data Collection:

Four factories in Palakkad district were randomly selected and all the workers of the factories were included in

the study after informing them regarding the purpose of the research project and obtaining the verbal informed

consent. Data was collected using a pre tested semi structured questionnaire by interview method to assess the

socio demographic profile and occupational health problems among the workers.

Ethical Concern:

The research proposal will be submitted to Institutional Ethic Committee.

Verbal informed consent was taken from all the workers and those who were willing to participate were

included in the study.

 Occupational Disease Questionnaire

Name of the Industry:

Type of industry:

Total Number of Employees: Name of employee:

Age:

Gender:

Keralite / Migrant:

APL / BPL Card holder:

 Occupational Health Problems

1. Heat stress Y N

2. Noise Y N

3. Vibration Y N

4. Lighting, Y N

5. Radiation Y N

6. Ventilation Problems Y N

7.Ergonomic issues –
(Low Backache, CTD/MSD) Y N
8. Dust related problems Y N

9. Chemical Exposure
Y N

10. Dermatitis
Y N

11. Respiratory Problems

Y N
12. Hematological Problems Y N

13. Renal Y N
14. Liver Y N

15. CNS Y N

16. CVS Y N

17. Occupational Cancers Y N

18. Stress Y N

19. Others if any specify

Habit No. of workers

Smokers

Tobacco Chewers

Alcoholism

Drug addiction
Medical measures

1. Preplacement examination
a)Yes b)No
2. Periodic examination daily/weekly/monthly
3. Do you have a qualified occupational health a)No b)Yes
physician available a)Yes b)No
4. Do you have a trained occupational health
a)Yes b)No
physician available
5. Do you have a qualified industrial hygienist a)Yes b)No
available a)Yes b)No
6. First aid facility available c)Own hired
a)Yes b)No
7. Ambulance facility available
8. Notification of disease done a)Yes b)No

9. Supervision of working a)Done b)Not done

environment/statutory

examination of hazardous work

10.Maintenance and analysis of a)Yes b)No

record

11.Health education material a)Yes b)No

available
Engineering measures

12.Design of building a)Adequate b)Inadequate

13.Good house keeping a)Yes b)No

14.Ventilation a)Adequate b)Inadequate

15.Protective equipment a)Not present b)Inadequate c)Adequate

16.Mechanization a)Yes b)No

17.Environment monitoring a)Yes b)No

Legislation

18.Hours of work

19.Rest hours per day

20.Hours of work per week

21.Leave with wages a)Yes b)No

22.Can you accumulate leave a)Yes b)No

 RESULTS

1. Mining and quarry industry

Socio demographic characteristics:

Employees of the age group: 29-58

Average age group: 30

Most of them where male, non- keralites with BPL card

CHART NO: 1
Bar graph showing morbidity pattern in Mining and Quarry industry

Observation: Majority of the workers in mining and quarry industry faces heat stress (84%)
CHART NO: 2
Pie chart showing Habits among workers in Mining and Quarry industry

Observation: Majority of the workers in mining and quarry industry did not had any Habits (44%)
TABLE NO: 1
Preventive medical measures practiced by Mining and Quarry industry

Sl. No Measures Yes/No

1 Preplacement examination No

2 Periodic examination No

3 Qualified health physician available No

4 Industrial hygienist available No

5 First aid facility Yes

6 Ambulance facility No

7 Health education material available No

TABLE NO: 2
Preventive Engineering measures practiced in Mining and Quarry industry

Sl. No Measures Yes/No

1 Design building Good

2 Good house keeping No

3 Mechanisation Yes

4 Protective equipment Inadequate

ii. Pharmaceutical industries

Socio demographic characteristic:

Employees of the age group: 28-42

Average age group: 32

Most of them where male, Keralite with BPL card

CHART NO: 3
Bar Graph showing morbidity pattern among workers in Pharmaceutical industry

Observation: Majority of the workers in Pharmaceutical industry faces Dust related problems (75%)
CHART NO: 4
Pie Chart showing Habits among workers in Pharmaceutical industry

Observation: Majority of the workers in Pharmaceutical industry did not had any Habits (70%)
TABLE NO: 3
Preventive medical measures practiced by Pharmaceutical industry

Sl. No Measures Yes/No

1 Preplacement examination Yes
2 Periodic examination No
3 Qualified health physician available Yes
4 Industrial hygienist available Yes
5 First aid facility Yes
6 Ambulance facility Yes
7 Health education material available Yes
TABLE NO: 4
Preventive Engineering measures practiced in Pharmaceutical industry

Sl. No Measures Yes/No

1 Design building Good

2 Good house keeping Yes

3 Mechanization Yes

4 Protective equipment Adequate

III. Metal industry

Socio demographic characteristic:

Employees of the age group: 18-60

Average age group: 40

Most of them where male, keralite with BPL card

CHART NO: 5
Bar Graph showing morbidity pattern among workers in Metal industry

Observation: Majority of the workers in Metal industry faces Heat stress (81.5%)
CHART NO: 6
Pie Chart showing Habits among workers in Metal industry

Observation: Majority of the workers in Metal industry where Alcoholic (50.4%)

TABLE NO: 5
Preventive medical measures conducted by Metal industry

Sl. No Measures Yes/No

1 Preplacement examination No

2 Periodic examination No

3 Qualified health physician available No

4 Industrial hygienist available No

5 First aid facility Yes

6 Ambulance facility No

7 Health education material available No

TABLE NO: 6
Preventive Engineering measures practiced in by Metal industry

Sl. No Measures Yes/No

1 Design building Good

2 Good house keeping Yes

3 Mechanization Yes

4 Protective equipment Inadequate

iv.Wood industry

Socio demographic characteristics:

Employees of the age group: 28-62

Average age group: 43

Most of them where female, Keralite with BPL card

CHART NO: 7
Bar Graph showing morbidity pattern among workers in Wood industry

Observation: Majority of the workers in Wood industry faces Dust related problems (63.6%)
CHART NO: 8
Pie Chart showing Habits among workers in Wood industry

21.2%

78.8%

Tobacco
None

Observation: Majority of the workers in Wood industry did not had any Habits (78.8%)
TABLE NO: 7
Preventive medical measures practiced by Wood industry

Sl. No Measures Yes/No

1 Preplacement examination No

2 Periodic examination No

3 Qualified health physician available No

4 Industrial hygienist available No

5 First aid facility Yes

6 Ambulance facility No

7 Health education material available No

TABLE NO: 8
Preventive Engineering measures practiced in Wood industry

Sl. No Measures Yes/No

1 Design building Good

2 Good house keeping Yes

3 Mechanization Yes

4 Protective equipment Inadequate

 DISCUSSION

• In the present study, it was found that the respiratory problems among the industrial workers
corresponded to 60% in mining industry, 70% in pharmaceutical industry, 34.5% in metal industry and
63.6% in wood industry.
• In a similar study conducted in Europe in 2016 on “Occupational lung disease and the mining industry
in Mongolia” by Oyuntogos Lkhasuren, Kan Takahashi and Lkhamsuren Dash Onolt also showed that
the respiratory problems accounted to 67.8%.19
• Also in a study conducted in Europe in 2011 on “Current and new challenges in occupational lung
diseases” by Sara De Matteis, Dick Heederik and Torben Sigsgaard showed that about 15% of all COPD
cases in Western countries have been associated with exposure to vapors, gases, dust or fumes mainly
based on past occupational studies in the highly exposed mining sector. In both of the industries, majority
of the workers were males which was similar to our study.
• In contrary, the study conducted in 2015 on “Emerging ergonomic issues and opportunities in mining”
and the study conducted in 2017 on “Identification of work related musculoskeletal disorders in
mining” showed musculoskeletal problems with rare incidence of respiratory problems.20
 SUMMARY

 The present study was done on the topic “Study of occupational disease among industrial workers in
palakkad” during time span of 1 month (from 15th February 2020 to 14th march 2020).
 Four factories in Palakkad district were randomly selected in mining, pharmaceutical, wood and
metal industry.
 In mining industry, morbidity rate was higher for heat stress, noise related problems, vibration and
dermatitis. Even though they were working in utmost hazardous conditions, they were not equipped
with adequate safety equipment.
 In pharmaceutical industry, rate of exposure to chemicals were found to be very high. Periodic
examination is not done.
 In metal industry, vibration and renal disorders were found to be very high; they even complaint of
severe stress. Safety equipments were found to be inadequate.
 In wood industry, workers were suffering from noise related problems. They even indicate poor
safety measures
 CONCLUSION

In the present study conducted in industrial workers in Palakkad, Kerala majority of the

industry are not equipped with adequate safety equipments. The employees are mostly suffering from

heat stress, and dust related problems. Some of them also had severe work stress.

They do not have preplacement examination and periodic examination. Neither qualified health

physician nor industrial hygienist. They have first aid facility. If injured they are taken to hospital by

company vehicle.
 LIMITATIONS

 It was a time bound study

 Administrative and supervisors are not included in the study

 The workers who were on leave on the particular day was excluded from the study

 Morbidity patterns were assessed based on self assessment and not by examination
 RECOMENDATIONS

1. Adequate medical facilities must be provided

2. Housekeeping must be improved

3. Quality of environmental monitoring must be increased.

4. Protective equipment must be provided.

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