HEALTH HAZARDS AND RISKS IN MANUAL SAND EXTRACTORS OF JEHLUM: A CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY

G. H. Yatoo, Mubashar Mashqoor Mir*, Mohammad Sarwar Mir, Ghulam Mustafa Malik and Ruksana Hamid

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Boom in the construction sector worldwide has lead to increase in demand of raw materials including sand. The nature of work and working environment involved in manual sand extraction exposes the workers to many occupational hazards and risks. Aim: To study the health risks and occupational hazards involved in manual sand extraction from a river bed. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted to identify various health risks and occupational hazards. A total of 50 manual sand extractors were recruited from one extraction site selected randomly on Jehlum River bed, Srinagar. Socio -Demographic Profile, Type and nature of work done and other data were collected using predesigned and pretested proforma. A detailed clinical history was taken and clinical examination was conducted. Results: The musculoskeletal pain and discomfort was prevalent in 84.0% of workers. Prevalence of eye complaints was 72.0% respectively. All the workers examined had skin problems. Inadequate personal protective devices and lack of social/employment schemes was there. Only 28% of the workers used any personnel protective measures. Conclusion: There was high prevalence of various health related issues in manual sand extraction workers.

Keywords: Occupational, Prevalence, Workers, Hazards, Sand.