Publication:

Assessment of work-related health hazards, personal hygiene and utilization of personal protective equipment’s among stone quarry workers: a cross sectional study in Central India

Background It is estimated that exposures in the workplace account for around one in ten cases respiratory morbidities in adulthood. Being a respiratory ailment, this group of disorders impairs the pulmonary functions. The objective of the study was to assess the work-related health hazards, personal hygiene and utilization of personal protective equipments among stone quarry workers in Wardha district in Maharashtra.

Methods This cross sectional study was conducted among 348 subjects working in the stone quarries situated in Yelakeli, Deoli, Paloti, Pulgaon, Borgaon, Nachangaon in Wardha district in Maharashtra.

Results 114 (32.75%) of the people reportedly had respiratory problems, body ache was reported by 154 (44.2%), eye problem was reported by 66 (18.9%), fever was told by 13 people (3.7%), other problems (like hearing related, skin, GIT etc) reported were 14 (4.02%). Chi-square test was found to be non-significant.

Conclusions None of the workers had undergone pre-placement examination. Personal protective measures are rarely used by stone quarry workers.