The current state of working conditions and health of vegetable growers of protected soil

Abstract

Introduction. Innovative low-volume technologies for soilless cultivation of vegetable crops are changing the nature and working conditions of workers, contributing to their transition to a qualitatively new level of health safety. However, modern aspects of the formation of the health of greenhouse workers remain insufficiently studied. Material and methods. Comprehensive studies of working conditions and morbidity (general, primary, accumulated, nosological structure and its dynamics) were carried out according to periodic medical examinations (2013-2017) of greenhouse vegetable growers working under the conditions of using innovative technologies for soilless cultivation of vegetable crops. Results. Working conditions of modern greenhouse vegetable growing were shown to remain unfavourable. They not meet the hygienic standards for the content of chemicals and aerosols of predominantly fibrogenic action (APFD) in the air of the working area, the parameters of the microclimate and the severity of the labour process, forming harmful working conditions (class 3.3), representing high risk to the health of workers. The overall incidence of vegetable growers in different years of observation ranged from 845.6 to 1129.0‰ with the frequency of detection of incidence in the range of 181.8-231.9‰. The first ranking places in the nosological structure of general morbidity were occupied by diseases of the circulatory system (Essential (primary) hypertension), genitourinary (Benign mammary dysplasia) and musculoskeletal systems (Dorsalgia of the lumbosacral and cervical levels). Limitations. The boundaries of the study are determined by studying the prevalence of diseases detected during periodic medical examinations among workers in protected ground in the vegetable grower profession and by studying the production factors that cause their occurrence. Conclusion. Working conditions in greenhouse vegetable growing continue to be harmful, presenting a risk of development and progression of chronic general somatic diseases among workers, which indicates the need for further research, including the identification of statistical patterns between indicators of the levels of exposure to factors and the likelihood of negative changes in health status.