Occupation In India Research Articles

Occupational Exposure to Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter and Lung Functions Deterioration of Steel Workers: An Exploratory Study in India

Objective. Manufacturing industry, especially casting and forging (iron and steel) industry, comprises a major part of the occupation in India. However, health protection is still ignored. Therefore the present study explores the respiratory symptoms among steel workers and subsequently measured the level of exposure to RSPM and lung functions parameters using spirometry investigation. Method. Present study assessed the level of respiratory symptoms through questionnaire survey of 572 workers, out of which 309 workers and another control group of 74 subjects were assessed for the spirometry test. Both of the groups were statistically matched for age and BMI. Students’ t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to compare the various subgroups. Results. The results reveal that workers are exposed to higher respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) levels than the limit of 5 mg/m3 prescribed by Indian factory act. The spirometric parameters such as FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, FEF25–75, PEFR, PIFR, and FIVC were significantly lower in exposed group than in controls. In the present scenario the iron and steel SMEs of the region are very much lagging behind in implementing the occupational health and safety practices. Conclusions. The majority of the workers were not wearing proper PPEs like masks due to ergonomically bad design, and at the same time they were working 60 to 72 hrs/week, which leads to very high level of exposure to RSPM. Therefore, the workers were under higher risk of lungs functions deterioration.

The Study of Effects of Education on Women’s Occupation in India

The Study of Effects of Education on Women’s Occupation in India

Human Resource Occupation

This article highlights the need for newer competencies required in human resource (HR) occupation, and the perception of organizational leaders and HR managers of these competencies on firm performance. The article tries to emphasize that an average functional depth of HR would not suffice and that there is the need to acquire newer skill-sets and technologies to keep pace with the changing socio-economic environment. The article critically analyzes an empirical study conducted in select 124 organizations cross sector with 303 HR heads/HR representatives and 327 line heads/non-HR respondents in India to deconstruct the competencies in the HR occupation in India.

IT Based Vertical Integration of Agri Based Value Chains: Case Study of ITC Echoupals

Even today Agriculture is the principle occupation in India. It is not only the major employer in Indian economy but also a major contributor to India’s GDP. However, in recent past the growth rate of agriculture productivity has decreased. In order to increase the growth rate of agricultural productivity it is important that this sector explores international markets. Improving access to international markets requires producers to meet food quality standards which in turn require Vertical coordination in international value chains using information technology. However, implementation of this strategy is restricted by Indian market constraints/factors like policies which have been adopted over the years by Government of India to protect the farmers. These policies intervene in labor, land, and credit markets to safeguard farmer’s interests. This paper therefore, explores the, vertical coordination as a strategic alternative for private companies. The article studies the success of ITC e-choupals and its 'Triple bottom line' approach to highlight the opportunities that exist for private companies.

Sickness Absenteeism, Morbidity and Workplace Injuries among Iron and Steel workers – A Cross Sectional Study from Karnataka, Southern India

The study of illnesses causing absence of workers from work in industries is a practical method to study the health status of industrial workers and to identify occupational health hazards. The iron and steel industries are particularly hazardous places of work. Published data from India on health status of iron and steel workers is limited, therefore this study was undertaken to investigate the sickness absenteeism, morbidity and workplace injuries among this population. Workers were selected using stratified random sampling. A structured pre-tested interview schedule was used to collect the data. A p value of < 0.05 was considered for statistical significance. From a total of 2525 workers, 353 (mean age 55.1 yrs, male 69.4%) participated in the study. The overall proportion of sickness absenteeism was 66.9% (95% CI: 0.62 - 0.71). Overall 16.4 days were lost per worker per year (male = 16.5 & female = 16.2) due to sickness absence. A blue collar worker lost 21.5 days compared to 11.9 days by a white collar worker (p > 0.01). Among workers, health ailments related to the musculoskeletal system (31.4%), gastrointestinal system (25.8%), hypertension (24.4%), respiratory system (18.1%) and other minor ailments (19.3%) were found to be high. Sickness absenteeism is significantly higher among iron and steel workers when compared to other occupations in India. Blue collar workers and shift workers loose higher number of days due to sickness absence, and they face problems related to musculoskeletal system, gastrointestinal system and hypertension in higher proportions compared to their counterparts. Women experienced hypertension as the common health problem and higher proportions of injuries outside the work environment.

Occupational health research in India.

India being a developing nation is faced with traditional public health problems like communicable diseases, malnutrition, poor environmental sanitation and inadequate medical care. However, globalization and rapid industrial growth in the last few years has resulted in emergence of occupational health related issues. Agriculture (cultivators i.e. land owners + agriculture labourers) is the main occupation in India giving employment to about 58% of the people. The major occupational diseases/morbidity of concern in India are silicosis, musculo-skeletal injuries, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, chronic obstructive lung diseases, asbestosis, byssinosis, pesticide poisoning and noise induced hearing loss. There are many agencies like National Institute of Occupational Health, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Central Labour Institute, etc. are working on researchable issues like Asbestos and asbestos related diseases, Pesticide poisoning, Silica related diseases other than silicosis and Musculoskeletal disorders. Still much more is to be done for improving the occupational health research. The measures such as creation of advanced research facilities, human resources development, creation of environmental and occupational health cells and development of database and information system should be taken.

Reading Between the Lines: Geography and Hybridity in Rudyard Kipling's Kim

Britain's occupation of India was not predominandy driven by mili tary force3 From its origins in the British East India Company, the empire's activities in India tended towards administrative and bureaucratic forms of power. It was a colonization which operated through the collection, archive, and administration of information, for which geography was the key. In order for the British to establish India as a colony, it was essential to gather knowledge of the territory. Through the India Survey, a project which was intended to provide ethnographical and cartographical knowledge in minute detail, the British Empire established borders which enclosed the colonial sub ject and could be defended. Through the Survey, the empire system atically catalogued the identity of colonial India. Rudyard Kipling's Kim is a novel which tells a story of the India Survey. In it, many of the main characters are engaged with the process of mapping India for the purposes of the imperial archive. Kipling, an Englishman, marks out the Indian landscape through his

Social Grading of Occupations in India

Social Grading of Occupations in India