Occupational Health and Safety Hazards in Rice Farming in Ghana

Lebbaeus Asamani

doi:10.7176/ejbm/12-21-10

Abstract

The paper explored specific hazards prevalent in rice farming in Ghana. Ten respondents, including rice irrigation scheme managers, extension officers and rice farmers, were interviewed and observed in a qualitative study. The deductive thematic analysis was use to analyse the transcribed interview data and themes were organised on the semantic level. It emerged that rice farmers in Ghana were exposed to myriad of biological, ergonomic, physical and chemical health and safety hazards. These hazards have enormous health and safety implications for the farmers, if preventive measures are not put in place. The need for appropriate personal protective equipment and protective wears are high recommended given that most of the hazards identified are inherent in the rice farming process. Keywords: Health and safety hazards, Rice farm workers, production agriculture, biological hazards, ergonomic hazards DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-21-10 Publication date: July 31 st 2020

Highlights

Farm workers are exposed to myriad of hazards in their farms
The Present Study The present study explored the specific hazards of each of the types of hazards described above that are present in rice farming in Ghana
The hazards associated with rice farming activities at various stages of farming operations were explored: 1. Pre-planting: land preparation 2

Summary

Introduction

Farm workers are exposed to myriad of hazards in their farms. Rice farmers especially encounter numerous hazards due to the nature of environment they work. Kumphon (2009) indicated that rice farmers are exposed to physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic hazards. Biological hazards are encountered when the work requires that people come into contact with insects, animals, dangerous plants or people. Working in the rice farm may expose the farmers to a variety of biological hazards. Physical hazards on the other hand are things at the workplace that can cause harm to the worker when he or she has not even touched or come into contact with them. Other situations and conditions that can cause harm, health related problems and even death are referred to as safety hazards.

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Conclusion