Occupational health risk management system for greenhouse vegetable growers

Abstract

Introduction. Prevention of chronic general somatic diseases associated with exposure to harmful working conditions is one of the primary measures to preserve the health of the working population and labor resources of the Russian Federation. However, insufficient attention is paid to the management of occupational health risks of agricultural workers, including greenhouse vegetable growers. Materials and methods. Hygienic and epidemiological studies were carried out based on the methodology for assessing and managing occupational health risks. Results. A complex of harmful occupational factors, including high temperatures and humidity, harmful chemicals, including pesticides, plant dust, and the labor process’s severity simultaneously affect working greenhouse growers. Working conditions were assessed as harmful (classes 3.2-3.3) of occupational risk categories from medium to high. Direct statistically significant correlations were established between the length of occupational service and diseases of the respiratory system, circulatory system, musculoskeletal system, and connective tissue (respectively r = 0.58; r = 0.6; r = 0.35). A high degree of causal relationship with the work in harmful occupational conditions of arterial hypertension (RR = 2.805; EF = 64.35%; CI = 1.498-5.253), radiculopathy of the lumbosacral spine (RR = 2.290; EF = 56%; CI = 1.140- 4.599), an average degree of uterine fibroids (RR = 1.969; EF = 49%; CI = 0.988-3.926) and chronic bronchitis (RR = 1.532; EF = 34.7%; CI = 0.682-3.442), which allows classifying them as occupationally conditioned. The system of preventive measures to minimize occupational risks and prevent occupational diseases has been scientifically substantiated. Conclusion. Current working conditions of greenhouse vegetable growers are characterized by the impact of harmful occupational factors promoting occupationally caused diseases, which requires the implementation of a set of preventive measures based on a risk-oriented approach.