Occupational Hazards encountered by employees in Small Enterprises in Bengaluru

Abstract

In today’s industrial scenario we see that small industrial businesses are those struggling to follow all the safety mechanisms given in The Karnataka Factories Rules,1969.This is because post privatization its been observed that many small welding shops, car garagesand two wheeler repair shops small eateries doing open air tandoor, tanning and treatment of leather, Dye manufacturers all employing five to twentyfive labourers fall under the employment in small bnusinesses( as per 1955 Small Scale Industry Act not employing more than 50 workers ) Today SSI is known as the MSME micro small and medium enterprises, falling under the purview of enterprises under the MSME Act of 2006.The sample size taken was 150 and simple random sampling was done. The areas taken for study were JC road, Tannery Town,Yeswanthpur ,Yelahanka and PeenyaDasarahalli Industrial area. The research gap showed that regarding the nature of work using harmful chemicals, dyes, high risk machinery such as welding was a part of the job. Occupational safety was mandatory but was it enforced? Most of the smaller shops showed that medical facility was nil and all the protective gear was mostly compromised. Only bigger enterprises footed medical bills and provided basic protective gearfor their employees. The research methodology consisted both primary and secondary data. The study was basically a primary data analysis.Conclusion indicates that providing basic protective gear for workers will go a long in saving life and limb from hazardous chemicals and accidents during work.