CHILD

LABOR AND
MSD
DR. MAHNOOR
LEARNING
OBJECTIVE
• What is child labor?
• Musculoskeletal disorders related to child labor
• Causes of musculoskeletal disorders in children
• Prevention of Musculoskeletal disorders in Child labors
CHILD LABOR
The term “child labour” is often defined as work that deprives
children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity,
and that is harmful to physical and mental development.
• It refers to work that:

• is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and

harmful to children; and/or
• interferes with their schooling by: depriving them of the
opportunity to attend school; obliging them to leave school
prematurely; or requiring them to attempt to combine
school attendance with excessively long and heavy work.
HEALTH RISKS
Health risks associated with child labor are:
• Poor growth
• Malnutrition
• Higher incidence of infectious diseases
• Higher incidence of systemic diseases
• Behavioral and emotional disorders
• Decreased coping efficacy
CHILD LABOR AND
MSD
Factors that can cause MSD in child labor are:
• Poor growth
• Malnutrition leading to improper bone formation
• Children are at increased risk of injuries to their bones,
tendons and ligaments
• Ergonomic factors also contribute to musculoskeletal
disorders.
• Incorrect posture
CONT.

MSDs in child labor comprise of but are not limited to:

• Fractures
• Sprains
• Osteochondroses
• Limbs of unequal length
• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Rickets
PREVENTION
• Knowledge of occupational risk factors can support
actions to restructure work conditions to reduce or
eliminate childhood exposure to hazardous conditions.
• Engineering controls such as: Changing workstation
layout, which might include using height-adjustable
workbenches or locating tools and materials within short
reaching distances
• Raise awareness
• Legislation
• Proper protective equipment
• Training programs
CHILD LABOR ACT
Article 11.3 of the constitution of Pakistan says “ No child
below the age of fourteen years shall be engaged in any
factory or mine or any other hazardous employment.”
Similar safeguards have been provided in the Article 37 of
constitution.
ANY QUESTIONS?
THANK YOU!