Occupational safety and health in agriculture

José Gómez Cerda

General Secretary WFAFW-FEMTAA 

Health and safety services in the agricultural sector are quite limited, specially those concerning the prevention of diseases.

 Usually, working environments are not subjected to maintenance, and they do not favor the physiological and mental health of farm workers. Efficient health services are very scarce.

 The frequent use of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides poses a threat to agricultural workers’ health and to the environment as well, due to water and air pollution, as well as food poisoning.

 Occupational hazards and health issues can arise at any phase of agricultural production (sowing, harvest, packing, storage and transportation).

The lack of security in the farm work environment stems usually from the constant violation of security dispositions, the lack of protection laws, and working conditions.

According to the ILO, at least 250 million children with ages between 5 and 14 work in developing countries. Almost half these children (120 million) work full time. A recent survey conducted by the ILO in 26 countries shows that child participation in economic activities is much higher in rural areas than in cities.

 70% of all children questioned performed agricultural activities. The number of girls surpassed that of boys (75% and 69% respectively). In rural areas, children – specially girls – begin working at a very early age. In Latin America and the Caribbean, 15 million children participate in the labor market (56% work in agriculture, beginning at ages between 5 and 7. Most children work seven days a week and are frequently underpaid. Children work too many hours, and are very likely to suffer work–related injuries. 1999

ILO report on Safety and Health in Agriculture

The irrational use of pesticides can cause sickness, sterility, and even death among farm workers.

 Many times, chemical products are handled in an unsafe manner and without any information on how to prevent accidents.

 According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 3 million people become ill each year and 220,000 die due to the effects of pesticides.

 Chemical products banned in developed countries are sold to poor nations, putting at risk the health of both people and animals.

 Agriculture is one of the most hazardous economic sectors, both in developing countries and industrialized ones. It is considered one of the three most dangerous, along with mining and construction. According to ILO estimates, in 1997, out of a total of 330,000 fatal work–related accidents occurred worldwide, 170,000 involved agricultural workers.

 Hazards in agriculture have increased along with the rise in the use of machinery, pesticides, genetically–modified organisms and other agrochemicals.

Among the occupational risks related to the use of pesticides, one can find intoxication, cancer and death.

 Social Security: Social security is very limited in rural areas, due to a lack of doctors, hospitals and clinics. In most cases, farm workers and their families have very limited access, if any, to medical assistance.

 There is a contradiction in almost every country regarding the principles of social security (social justice and generality), because farm workers - those with less financial resources - are also the ones who have less access to social security (medical assistance, as well as retire benefits and insurance).

 International conventions related to retirement and life insurance in agriculture are infringed in most third world countries.

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