Work related musculoskeletal disorders in agricultural workers: An Overview

Agriculture is considered to be one of the oldest occupation, perhaps as old as human civilization. Agriculture is the mainstay of Indian economy, has been and will continue to be the lifeline of the Indian economy at least in the foreseeable future. The agriculture sectors activity being most unorganized, very little attention has been given to the occupational health problems of these workers. Besides the normal health problems of agricultural workers in general, they suffer from certain specific health hazards due to extensive use of fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides and mechanization. The increasing use of chemicals and biological agents with hazard potential unknown to people; the indiscriminate use of agro chemicals including pesticides, agricultural use of agro chemicals including pesticides, agricultural machineries and equipment, and their impact on health and safety of exposed population pose serious safety and health risks for agricultural workers. The conditions of farmers seem to be very unpleasant and, therefore, farmers do not want their children to continue farming and as farmer also face health hazards due to pesticide and insecticides used by farmer for the good yield. Government has to take steps toward educating farmers regarding the risk of pesticides and other problems involved in agriculture and generate awareness programs to avoid the occupational hazards related to the agriculture sector.