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Globalization stimulates the growth of informal workforces around the world which drives an economic and policy development of each country, particularly in Thailand. While their contributions to both employment and the economy of the country, informal workforces usually work in hazardous environment and under poor conditions, especially agricultural workforces. The purpose of this descriptive research was then designed to examine occupational health hazards, work-related illness and injury, work behaviors among informal workforces who planted baby corns.
Methods
Data were collected using an interview-form which had been confirmed both content validity and reliability. The study sample comprised 130 baby corn planting farmers
Results
The results demonstrated that the apparent exposures of occupational health hazards in working environment were ergonomic (working in prolonged sitting and standing, twist position, and heavy object lifting and forceful exertion), physical agents (working in a hot climate), chemical agents (exposure to dust and pesticides) and unsafe working condition (working with sharp machines or devices). The work-related illnesses found to be major problems were headache and musculoskeletal pain. Work-related injuries during the past three months were found over one-third. Regarding work behaviors, most farmers used personal protective equipment but all of them did not use ear plugs while using a tractor in the field. Furthermore, more than a quarter of farmers continued using a tractor without its safe guard and one-third of them reentered to the field within 3 days after spraying pesticide.
Discussion
These findings provide a significant foundation for occupational and safety team to initiate work safety promotion and develop effective health promoting and risk-reduction programs for informal workforces. Such program should prioritize ergonomic programs and chemical risk communication.