Health, Safety and Environment - International Labour Organization

Manual 2:HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTFOR “GRASSROOTS” MEMBERSsolar radiation resulting in skin cancersextreme temperatures when working outside and inside glass housesdeaths and injuries from working with livestockBiologicalhazardsPsycho-socialhazardsWorkorganisationhazardsAgricultural workers are at risk from a wide range of work related diseasesand disorders. These range from diseases caught from birds and animals toasthma and other lung diseases from biologically contaminated dusts.These include problems that can cause ill health such as low pay, sexualand other harassment, job insecurity, poor promotion mechanisms, delayin payment of salaries.These include hazards that are caused by poor work organisation such asbadly organised shift work and working hours, excessive overtime, loneworking, lack of control over work.ErgonomichazardsChemicalhazardsEnvironmentalhazardsThese include hazards associated with the failure to make the job fit theworker and can cause permanent injuries and disablement. For example: badly designed machinery prolonged static working positions repetitive work unsuitable tools used by workers poor seatingChemicals such as pesticides and solvents can result in health hazardsranging from poisoning to long term effects on female and malereproduction, cancers and so on.Agricultural work can also create environmental hazards beyond theimmediate workplace. For example, workers and their families, localcommunities, and the environment can become contaminated bypesticides in spray drift, polluted water and soil, as well as throughconsuming local crops, meat and fish containing pesticide residues. Thisadditional exposure greatly increases the risks of ill health especially whenthis is linked to poor diet and malnutrition.40 Health, Safety and EnvironmentA Series of Trade Union EducationManuals for Agricultural Workers