Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Occupational Health Hazards and Safety Practices Among the Workers of Tannery Industry in Bangladesh

Rabiul Islam
Department of Public Health and Informatics, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh

Md. Shakhaoat Hossain*
Department of Public Health and Informatics, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh

Md. Abu Bakkar Siddique
International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

In Bangladesh, workers of the tannery industries are commonly affected with several health hazards. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and patterns of health problems of the tannery workers, and to find out the factors associated with those health problems. A cross sectional study was conducted on 316 general tannery workers (who work with raw hides and chemicals only) from 22 different tanneries in Hazaribagh, Dhaka, Bangladesh. A standardized, structured face to face interviewer-administered close ended questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, logistic regression models and chi-square test. Around 63.3% of workers were affected with at least one health problems. Majority of the workers were suffering from skin problem (25.3%), gastrointestinal problem (8.5%), chronic headache (8.2%), allergies (5.7%), respiratory system problem (6.3%), cardiovascular problem (6.3%) and eye problem (3.5%). Only 36.7% respondents used personal protective equipment (PPE). The tanneries did not have any effluents or wastes treatment facilities. Smoking and monthly low household income were significantly associated with the morbidity of the tannery workers. The government should take adequate measures to mitigate the health hazards in the tannery industry.

Keywords: Health hazard, Safety practices, Tannery workers, Bangladesh

Location: Hazaribagh area under Hazaribagh Thana in Dhaka City Corporation

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Knowledge Management

Commodity: Health hazard

Objectives:

This study was designed to determine the tannery induced disease prevalence and patterns among the tannery workers and to identify the health hazards of the tannery workers. It was also decided to measure the knowledge, attitude and practice of the personal protective equipments use among the tannery workers and finally to explore the health seeking behaviors of the tannery workers in Bangladesh.

Methodology:

Study area and population: The study was conducted at Hazaribagh area under Hazaribagh Thana in Dhaka City Corporation where approximately 300 tanneries are located. Voluntary participation of full time tannery workers with all ages (both male and female), who worked with raw hides and chemicals, were only included in the study. Study design and sampling: A cross sectional study was conducted among 316 tannery workers of 22 different tannery industries following quantitative data collection methods. The tanneries were selected purposively and the workers were selected randomly. Before data collection, pilot study among 46 tannery workers were conducted. From pilot study, the disease prevalence rate was 72%, keeping 95% confidence interval (CI) and absolute precision required 0.05, minimum sample size came out 310. Data collection: A standardized structured close-ended questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire was prepared in English and asked directly by translating into Bangla. A trained data collection team consisting of 12 members collected data using face to face interviews. Permissions from every tannery industry authority and verbal consent from the tannery workers were taken in advance. Respondents had complete liberty not to response to any of the questions and leave the interview at any time during the study. The interviewer-administered questionnaire included socio-demographic (age, sex, education, marital status, and family background, including saving status, water source and income levels), working information knowledge and personal protective equipment’s use (working hour, duration of job, training status, knowledge regarding chemicals and hand washing practice), working environment characteristics (ventilation, lighting, temperature, noise, smell, waste management facilities of the tannery and smoking status), health problems and treatment status of the tannery workers. Data analysis: Data were analyzed by using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science, version 20) software and Microsoft excel (version 2010). Descriptive statistics for categorical variables frequencies and proportions; means and standard deviations for continuous were calculated. Logistic regression and chi-square test were used to explore significant association between health problems and others variables (age, sex, education, income, duration of job in year, working hours, protective equipment use, smoking status of the tannery workers, marital status, knowledge about chemicals and working environments). Odds ratio (OR), 95% CI and p-value (significant at P<0.05) were used for interpretation.

Source of Information: Jahangirnagar University J. Biol. Sci. 6(1): 13-22, 2017 (June)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

According to the findings of this study, working environment, types of work, way of work, smoking, use of PPE and lifestyle has a great impact on the health of the tannery workers. Smoking and household income of the respondents were found significantly associated with the morbidity of the tannery workers. Strict enforcements of Bangladesh’s Labour Act (2006) along with more concern on OHAS issue are strongly recommended for both government and tannery employers as soon as possible. Exclusive hospital, proper training focusing on PPE use and chemicals along with safe housing for tannery workers would be beneficial to the tannery workers. For bright future of tannery industries the government of Bangladesh should take adequate preventive measures in tannery industrial activities to ensure safe, sound and healthy environment.

Knowledge Management: Journal