Occupational Health Risk and Safety Related Practices among Industry Workers in Jodhpur

Abstract

Introduction: Jodhpur is one of the important industrial cities with numerous big, medium and small-scale industries.
Through some personal visits, observations and literature search it was found that there is a potential gap in the
evidence regarding the Occupational Safety practices and health status of industrial workers. So, this study was
planned to assess the health status and Occupational Health Risk and Safety Related Practices of Industry Workers in
Jodhpur.
Material and Methods: Cross Sectional Study among Industrial workers of registered industries in Jodhpur. Four
different kinds of industries were selected. The employer as well as the workers who were present at the time of
visit were interviewed and relevant records were examined. The environmental and working conditions were noted.
Results: Incident reports, health surveillance records, and sickness absence reports were not maintained in any of
the industries visited. In all of the industries visited, parts of the working areas were either excessively hot/cold
or humid, but with good ventilation. 97% of workers in the study were male and around 44% of the workers were
migrated from other states. Major physical complaints reported by the workers were skin and musculoskeletal
system related. Majority of the industries had disease carrying insects or rodents but only one of them had pest
control measures in place.
Conclusion: There are deficits in Occupational Safety practices followed in industries to reduce the accident risk and
improve health status of industrial workers. There is urgent need for strong and proper implementation of industrial
regulations.