268
2000). As per studies published by Calvert et al. (2013) the highest occurrence rates
of hazardous workplace exposures were usually in agriculture, mining, and
construction.
About 1.3 billion workers work in agriculture that represents half of the total
global labor force out of which about 60% of them are in developing nations and 9%
of agricultural workers are in developed nations. A great majority of agricultural
work force live in Asia, with more than 20% are in India and 40% in China.
Work hazard in agriculture sector is related to the following:
• Machinery (tractor, tiller, etc.)
• Vehicles (trucks, jeep, etc.)
• Tools (shovel, machete, etc.)
• Hazardous chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics as well as other veterinarian products)
• Toxic/allergenic agents (plants, dusts, flowers, animal waste, oils)
• Parasites
• Zoonosis
• Confined spaces (silos, cellars, pits, and tanks)
• Noise and vibration
• Ergonomic hazards
• Extreme weather conditions
• Wild and poisonous animals (spiders, scorpions, insects, snakes, wild
mammals)
Between December 2015 and June 2016, more than 750 people lost their lives
due to improper waste management at dumpsites besides many incidents of health
impacts (ISWA 2016) (Fig. 7.4).
Occupational health risks at solid waste dumpsites affect workers as well as
informal recyclers.
Risk of respiratory infection can be to a great extent reduced if composting/recycling process systems, transfer stations, are enclosed/ventilated and if workers put
on respiratory masks (Boardi and Kuitunen 2005), but informal recyclers and workers are exposed to the following safety and health risks (UNEP and Republic of
South Sudan 2013):
• Severely injured or death by moving equipment
• Respiratory disorders
• Injured by heavy waste materials and sharp object
• Exposure to fecal matter or contaminated/toxic waste
• Hepatitis C or HIV especially from hazardous healthcare waste
Small amount of biological material in wastes give rise to a significant exposure
to bioaerosols (Mugo et al. 2015).
Developed countries have low risk compared to developing countries due to
knowledge, law enforcement, strict judiciary, and low corruption. Within a country,
some industry such as chemical industry will have high risk compared to music
recording. Within the same type of business, some organization might have poor
7 Occupational Health
2000). As per studies published by Calvert et al. (2013) the highest occurrence rates
of hazardous workplace exposures were usually in agriculture, mining, and
construction.
About 1.3 billion workers work in agriculture that represents half of the total
global labor force out of which about 60% of them are in developing nations and 9%
of agricultural workers are in developed nations. A great majority of agricultural
work force live in Asia, with more than 20% are in India and 40% in China.
Work hazard in agriculture sector is related to the following:
• Machinery (tractor, tiller, etc.)
• Vehicles (trucks, jeep, etc.)
• Tools (shovel, machete, etc.)
• Hazardous chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics as well as other veterinarian products)
• Toxic/allergenic agents (plants, dusts, flowers, animal waste, oils)
• Parasites
• Zoonosis
• Confined spaces (silos, cellars, pits, and tanks)
• Noise and vibration
• Ergonomic hazards
• Extreme weather conditions
• Wild and poisonous animals (spiders, scorpions, insects, snakes, wild
mammals)
Between December 2015 and June 2016, more than 750 people lost their lives
due to improper waste management at dumpsites besides many incidents of health
impacts (ISWA 2016) (Fig. 7.4).
Occupational health risks at solid waste dumpsites affect workers as well as
informal recyclers.
Risk of respiratory infection can be to a great extent reduced if composting/recycling process systems, transfer stations, are enclosed/ventilated and if workers put
on respiratory masks (Boardi and Kuitunen 2005), but informal recyclers and workers are exposed to the following safety and health risks (UNEP and Republic of
South Sudan 2013):
• Severely injured or death by moving equipment
• Respiratory disorders
• Injured by heavy waste materials and sharp object
• Exposure to fecal matter or contaminated/toxic waste
• Hepatitis C or HIV especially from hazardous healthcare waste
Small amount of biological material in wastes give rise to a significant exposure
to bioaerosols (Mugo et al. 2015).
Developed countries have low risk compared to developing countries due to
knowledge, law enforcement, strict judiciary, and low corruption. Within a country,
some industry such as chemical industry will have high risk compared to music
recording. Within the same type of business, some organization might have poor
7 Occupational Health