Study of Occupational Health Problems among Workers in a Glass Manufacturing Plant at Puducherry

Recent industrialization and globalization are changing the Indian occupational morbidity drastically. Traditionally labor-oriented markets are on change towards more automation and mechanization. General awareness about occupational safety and hazards has to be spread in the society. Very few studies are there dealing with the occupational health problems among the glass factory workers.

To know the magnitude of work-related health problems among the workers in a glass manufacturing plant in Puducherry.

Cross sectional study with a comparison group.

The study was carried out over 184 glass factory workers and 184 subjects who were matched for the socio-demographic factors residing in the same area. The purpose of the study was discussed with the workers as well as the comparison group & the time schedule was prepared as per their convenience. The predesigned, structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was collected by interview method. Details about the socio-demographic factors, health problems related to their work in the last one year like injuries, burns, respiratory disorders like cough, breathlessness, chest pain, any hearing defect and cataract etc. were enquired. Statistical analysis was done by percentages and chi-square test.

184 workers from a glass factory which is situated around 8 km from Aarupadai Veedu Medical College, Puducherry & 184 subjects as comparison group.

The prevalence of health problems was more among the glass factory workers than in the comparison group. Among the total 184 workers, 148 (80.43%) had some or other health problem while in the comparison group 69(37.5%) were having some morbidity. This (χ²=70.09, d.f=1, p<0.0001). The total health problems were 342 among the workers in the glass factory while; it was 111 for the comparison group. Among the factory workers; 33.04% had prick injuries, 14.91% musculoskeletal problems, 10.81% burns & 9.64% were having hypertension, 5.26% ENT problems like noise-induced hearing defects, earache etc & ocular injuries were reported by 4.09%, while 3.8% had chronic irritant cough, difficulty in breathing, chest pain.

Proper health education and awareness among the public about the morbidities at the work place will definitely reduce the burden of health hazards in industries.