Associational study of industrial hazards with occupational illnessses among women workers in manufacturing industries / Jinky Leilanie D.P. Lu.

This study looked into the occupational health and safety compliance of 10 industries at an ecozone in the country with respect to hazard exposures. This study is seen to be very relevant due to the proliferation of industries in export zones resulting from the thrust of the government towards global trade and generation of local employment. The methodology consisted of walk-through survey, industrial hygiene measurements and questionnaires given to 235 respondents. The study showed that the industries employ 84% females and 16% males in the labor force. The most prevalent occupational hazards based on the industrial hygiene measurements include noise (ranging from 67% to 100% for all industry types) followed by heat and then vibration. in terms of chemical exposures, all industry types of report of being exposed. Repetitive motion is the most prevalent ergonomic hazard at 100%, followed by awkward body position, heavy load and then prolonged work hours. Based on the questionnaire given, the most frequent occupational hazards of females is heat at 80% followed by excessive work and low back pain at 72.5% then noise at the workplace and poor ventilation at 62.5%. Heat in the workplace is statiscally significant in the occurrence of migraine (p=. 002) and skin allergies (p=.0.49). other associations established were: radiation with migraine and reproductive problems at p=.001 and p=.048 respectively; fumes and smoke in the industry with headache (p=.001), cough (p=.033) and colds, fatigue (p=.018); excessive work with severe headache (p=.001), backpain (p=.021), and fatigue (p=.001); both back pain and fatigue with having a poor posture and position work at p=.002 and p=.003 respectively. The data show that women workers are exposed to occupational hazards. since health and development must go hand in hand, there is a need to enforce a healthy workplace for the women workers who are seen as crucial partners in attaining sustainable development of the country.

Nursing.