Status of Occupational Safety and Health in Rice Milling

Companies in Sheikhghat, Sylhet region

Abstract
Occupational and industrial accidents are all caused by preventable factors which could be
eliminated by implementing already know ad available measures ad methods. This is demonstrated
by continuously reduced accident rate in industrializes countries. The application of preventive
strategies therefore offers significant human and economic benefits. Hazard studies are important
because any person responsible to ensure for designing a new plant or modifying an existing one
has a legal responsibilities to ensure the design is comprehensively examined to ensure all
foreseeable risk are minimized and reduce to acceptable levels. Hazard studies help the
organization in various ways.
The main purpose of this study is to identify and determine whether there are significant hazards
and required action is needed, employers must regularly review hazards in the place of work.
Bedside effective legal and technical tools ad measures to prevent accidents exist, national efforts to
tackle Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) problems are often fragmented ad as a result have less
impact.

Keyword: occupational hazard, efficiency, industrial accidents, strategies labor right, injury,
integrated, compensation and litigation and responsibility.

Objectives
1. To establish the main activities that constitute the occupational safety and health hazards in
Rice milling companies.
2. To establish the nature of injuries in Rice milling companies in Sheikhghat, Sylhet
3. To determine the causes of the identified injuries and their control measures in Rice milling
companies.

INTRODUCTION
The human, social and economic costs of occupational accidents, injuries and diseases and
major industrial disasters have long been cause for concern at all levels from the individual
workplace to the national and international. Measures and strategies designed to prevent, control,
reduce or eliminate occupational hazards ad risks have been developed ad applied continuously
over the year to keep pace with the technological and economic changes yet, despite continuous if
slow improvements, occupational accidents and diseases are still too frequent and their cost in
terms of human suffering and economic burden continues to be significant [1].

 Hazard studies identify the feasible variety of environmental risk.

 Hazard studies aim to improve and develop number of potential risk areas.
 After hazard are identified, qualitative analysis of the frequency ad cost of potentially
damaging occurrence is conducted in the form of risk assessment.
 Minimizing the risk hazard studies also reduce the operating cost.
  Hazard studies ensure legal compliance.
 Moreover hazard studies increases the total productivity and efficiency in the work
place.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

In achieving firm’s success the overall health of employees plays a vital role, as the
individuals health effect the total productivity. Employees, working hard to keep the business cycle
on run, an important factor in the company. So maintaining works health and overall safety is
mandatory, has become a crucial issue for labor rights movement at the present competitive world.
During work, people are often faced with various risks and safety hazards, which can expose them
to a myriad of adverse health problems. Health problems can lead towards sickness, being sick
works cannot perform the best at all. When sickness presents for long time, the life become
threatened.
If a worker is injured on the job, it costs the company in lost work hours, increased insurance rate,
and workers compensation premium and possible litigation. When the works have to deal with the
injury, the productivity is lost as they have to stop their work. Even a single injury can have far-
reaching and debilitating effect on the total business. Recently in developing and under developing
country “the health and safety of the workers” has become a concerned issue. Workplace health and
safety procedures are necessary for the well-being of both employers and employees.
Hazards are considered to be potentially dangerous substances or be behavior that can causes
harm or injury to an employee. There are several hazard employees can be exposed to I the
workplace. Health hazards can range from infectious diseases spread from one worker to another
to poisonous chemicals that are not properly stored and maintained. Being an integrated part the
health and safety management should perform its functions properly.
The important strategy of the occupational health and safety is not only to ensure well-being of
the workers but also to contribute positively to productivity that has become a part of an overall
improvement in working condition. Healthy workers are more likely to be better motivated, enjoy
job satisfaction and contribute to better quality product and service, thereby enhancing the overall
quality of life of individual and society. So it is safety for quality and progression in industries.
Hence safety and well-being off are the prerequisites for improvement in health, productivity and
quality. More than that International Labor Organization (ILO) and World Health Organization
(WHO) regulations, ensuring occupational safety and health is a fundamental right of workers
around the world.
The rice industries plays an important role in the economy of Bangladesh. As Bangladesh is an
agriculture country, the rice mills are grown in a high number. Rice is the main paddy for our
country. So productivity of rice is very important in the contest of our country’s.The workers are
the core of any kind of improvement, the barriers to safety must be addressed. But there are a
limited number of study that addresses the hazard, safety and health I the rice mills in Bangladesh.
So this thesis is done to find out the hazards, safety and health related issues in rice mill in Sylhet
city.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE THESIS
Though there has been an increased industrialization in our country, the working
condition of the workers in growing industries are not safe at all. The authorities focus on only
profit rather than health and welfare of the individual workers. At present scenario of Bangladesh,
accident in the work place is one of the terrifying facts. The labor laws in Bangladesh have been
framed which requires employers to understand corrective measures on occupational safety and
health. Lack of awareness, training noncompliance of the OSH standard by the employer, the
negative involvement of the workers could not achieve the goal of providing safety and health to
the workers as intended by the law. Time has come to consider the Occupational Health in its true
spirit in a holistic way. The policy makers, legislators, employers and all other members of the
society require to understand the relationship of true social development with economic
development through a system of good practice of occupational safety and health standards. Now In
Bangladesh millions of people are working in industries. Within them a huge number of workers
are working under unsafe and dangerous working condition because of the lack of conscious of
management. Some major occupational health hazards faced by the surveyed workers are physical
hazards, chemical hazards, biological hazards and psychosocial hazards. It is necessary to addresses
those hazards then management should take proper steps to eliminate or reduce those hazards to
an acceptable level realizing that a safe working environment benefits not only workers but also the
organization itself. So, the significance of this study lies in analyzing the hazard, health and safety
condition of rice mills in the Sylhet city.
OBJECTIVE OF THE RESEARCH
1. Identifying the hazards faced by the employees while working in the selected rice mill in the
Sylhet city.
2. To analysis health problem of the surveyed rice mill in Sylhet city.
3. To find out the ranking of hazards found in rice mills in Sylhet city.
4. To analysis the safety issues of selected rice mills in Sylhet city.
REVIEW OF PAST RESEARCH WORK ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, SAFETY AND HAZARD
A study conducted by C.Bini and A.Romanin found that a large differences in chromium
concentration were observed in the tannery located area .Mean Cr concentration in soils is 210
mg/kg .Most of the investigated sites present surface, suggesting local sources of Cr to be
responsible for soil contamination .They have also addressed the high amount of Cr amount in soil
and with the direct contact with that soils make people vulnerable in some situations [2].

Research on chemical hazards and physical hazards in the textiles industry, various other
factors present in the workplace affect the capacity, performance and the health of workers. Most of
these are directly related to the man at work, the task to be performed by him, and the machinery
and equipment used. The textile workers in a conventional cotton mill have to ensure the
continuous flow of material from bale opening, to blending, cleaning, carding, twisting, spinning,
winding and preparation for bulk dispatch [3].

A study on steel rolling mill workers discuss that the steel rolling mill industry workers
were aware of the hazards associated with the nature of their work and the management was
committed to safety and health at work. There is need for research on the effectiveness of
professionals involved in occupational safety and health contributions towards preventing worker
exposure in steel rolling mills [4].

Rice mills subjects the respiratory system to many different exposures such as dusts,
bacteria, endotoxins, spores, chemicals etc in work place. A study was designed to find out the
airborne micro flora of the work environment of rice mills where workers are occupationally
exposed to this environmental flora with a special reference to isolation and identification of
aflatoxin positive Aspergills strain from the work environment. The study covered altogether three
rice mills located at Bawla town in Ahmadabad district (India). Of all the solates, 27.39 were
Aspergillus of which 6.64; were A.flavus. quantitative evaluation showed the maximum number of
isolates recovered from work place (p<0.01) when compared to (office).Strains of A. flavus were
sub cultured onto various qualitative media for identification of toxigenic strain, but none of the
strains showed positive result indicating that all the eight strains were non-toxigenic [5].

The clinical and hematological findings suggest that the harmful effect linked with rice husk
dust. There is significant greater proportion of anemia and leukocytosis were observed. Rice husk
dust could cause kerato-conjunctival irritation, corneal scars, chronic conjunctiva inflammation,
pterygium formation and pruritus. In addition, allergic inflammatory reaction of pulmonary tissues
were suggested to be related with rice husk exposures. According to this study, it seems that there
is a impairment of the hematological parameters for the rice mill workers and it indicates further
extensive epidemiological and pathological studies health and safety of the rice mill workers. This
study would be helpful in preventing longstanding harmful effects of such exposures of rice husk
[6].

A study on agriculture industry found that the workers of agricultural industry are highly
exposed to harmful factors in their work environment, such as dust, unfavorable microclimatic
condition, excessive noise and insufficient light. In addition, there are numerous safety and health
hazards associated with grain handling operations, among them suffocation and falls are the two
leading causes of deaths. Other hazards include fires, explosions, electrocutions, and injuries from
improperly guarded machine. Exposures to grain dust and associated airborne contaminants can
also occur; such contaminants include molds, chemical fumigants, and gases associated with
decaying and fermenting silage. Dust is treated as the most influential agent, and perceived as a
frequent cause of the respiratory system illnesses. Flour mills, generate dust, which is released into
the air and later inhaled during industrial processes, such as cleaning, crumbling of the product,
packaging and shipping. The occupationally related lung diseases are most likely due to the
deposition of dust in the lungs and are influenced by the sort of dusts, the period of exposure, the
concentration and size of airborne dust in the breathing zone. Flour is also considered to be a
substance hazardous to health by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). In their Control of
Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1994, flour is defined as the finely ground
particles of cereals or pulses (including such contaminants as mites, weevils, or fungal antigens)
that result from any grinding process and from any subsequent handling and use of that “flour” [7].
A study on accident of construction sites at Malaysia, statistic has shown that the number of
fatality and permanent disablement cases due to accident at the Malaysia construction sites is one
of the highest as compared to the other sector. Even though the number of industrial accidents
decreasing but the benefits paid to the accidents victims are ever increasing. Hence, there is an
urgent need to mitigate this problem. There are three basic steps that should be taken namely
identifying the hazard, assessing the risk and controlling the risk to ensure a safe and conducive
working condition. Implementation of effective hazards control methods may require different
approaches due to changing of working environment at the construction sites. Latest technology
employed at site had wiped out traditional method of construction and consequently introduce new
types of hazard to the industry. The sites vary from infrastructure works, high rise building,
housing development, industry building and institutional building. The study determine twelve
major groups of hazards in relation to works at construction sites such as power access equipment,
ladder, roof work, manual handling, plant and machinery, excavation, fire and emergency,
hazardous substances, noise, protective clothing and protection to public. The study was conducted
on 140 construction sites and the results showed that the most common hazards for the project
around the study area are associated with the protective clothing, noise and fire and emergency [8].

A cross-sectional study using a structured interview technique, and sensitization,

using skin prick test findings, from 679 employees in flour milling and packing operations at 18
flour mills. A total of 147 workers (147/679, 22%) described upper respiratory tract symptoms of
some kind. In the majority (139/147, 95%) these symptoms were of an occasional or transitory
nature and were related to short-term exposures to high levels of dust. Three individuals (3/679,
0.4%) were identified whose symptoms were thought to be the result of allergy to wheat flour. The
prevalence of positive skin prick tests to wheat flour allergens and to fungal amylase was 1.2%
(8/678) and 0.9% (6/678), respectively. Measurements of total inhalable dust exposure for
personnel exposed to flour dust were taken at 10 of the sites (116 samples). For production
personnel the levels were typically between 1 and 10 mg/m3 (8-h time weighted average), with a
median of 6.2 mg/m3. Hygiene operatives had appreciably higher exposure than production
personnel, with a median of 18.7 mg/m3. Overall, 43% (50/116) of all samples exceeded 10 mg/m3
(8-h time weighted average). The findings suggest that the risk of sensitization to wheat flour
allergens from current dust exposures in flour mills is very low. Wheat allergy was responsible in
only a small proportion of the total who had respiratory symptoms. The principal causation of
symptoms experienced by the workforce was considered to be a non-specific irritant effect related
to short-term exposures to high levels of total inhalable dust [9].

A study on tannery found that the dumping of untreated liquid tannery wastes from tannery
industries at Hazaribag, Dhaka is the major source of pollution of Buriganga. The chromium
released from the Hazaribag tannery industries has been contaminating the water of the river
Buriganga for the last 45 years. A statistics available from the Department of Environment reveal
that 95 per cent of the tannery industries have been built in unplanned way at the congested places
of Hazaribag during the last fifty years. According to a recent estimate, about 60,000 tons of raw
hides and skins are processed in these tanneries every year, which release nearly 95,000 liters of
untreated effluents into the open environment daily, resulting into the dead river Buriganga [10].

A.M. Hossain carried out the study to review the situation that Chromium is a naturally
occurring heavy metal that can exist in air, water, soil, and food, and common exposure pathways
include ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. The primary health impacts from chromium are
damage to the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and immunological systems, as well as reproductive
and developmental problems. Chromium is a known human carcinogen. In addition, the chromium-
laced solid wastes from tanneries are often converted into poultry feed as is the case in areas of
Bangladesh—and can thus impact livestock and humans . According to the WHO, over 8,000
workers in the tanneries of Hazaribag suffer from gastrointestinal, dermatological, and other
diseases, and 90% of this population die before the age of 50 [11].

A medical study found that out of 145 respondents, majority (40%) were found in the age
group of 16-20 years where mean age was 23.30 years with S.D. of ±6.92 years. Among all the
respondents, 89% were female. 45.52% were educated institutionally. 52.4% respondents were
machine operator, but maximum (75%) were unskilled and 72% had length of job between 2-7
years. 91% respondents normally worked for 8-9 hours. 85.5% did 2-3 hours overtime. In the last
one year 64.8% had no accident but minor cut, burn or injury was faced by 28.3%. Most of the
(44%) respondents did not complain about physical environmental pollution but 33.8%
complained of noise pollution. Majority (84.8%) told that doctor & nurse were constantly present in
their factory and they were satisfied with their health facilities. Maximum (51%) respondents
suffered from headache or shoulder pain. Majority did not mention any permanent illness. In this
study the prevalence of occupational health hazards was 88.28%. A significant relationship was
found between noise pollution and headache (P value 0.014). Conclusion: More emphasis should be
given to the workers to improve their health condition and working environment, so that they can
increase their efficiency which can ultimately increase the production and add GDP to the country.
Government should provide more fund for research purposes in order to improve the condition of
the working population and their working environment [12] .
 Analysis and Discussion
Analysis and Discussion:
Socio-Economic setting of the workers
Table 1: Different types of workers of Alahi Auto rice mill.

Types of Worker No of Workers

Machine operator 2
Helper 6
Cleaner 7
Load carrier 8

Supervisor 2
Table 1 shows different types of workers involved in Alahi Auto Rice mill.

9
8
7
No of workers

6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Machine Helper Cleaner Load carrier Supervisor
operator
Types of workers

Fig 1: Surveyed different types of workers of Alahi Auto Rice Mill.

From figure 1, it is seen that load carrier workers number are maximum, cleaner numbers are in second
position. Third position occupies helper.
Table 2: Different types of workers of Al Modina Auto rice mill.

Types of Worker No of Workers

Machine operator 3
Helper 5
Cleaner 7
Load carrier 8
Supervisor 2

Table 2 shows different types of workers involved in Al Modina Auto Rice mill.

9
8
7
6
NO of workers

5
4
3
2
1
0
Machine Helper Cleaner Load Carrier Supervisor
operator
Types of workers
k

Figkuer2: Surveyed different types of workers of Al Modina Auto Rice Mill.

From figure 2, it is seen that load carrier workers number are maximum, cleaner numbers are in second
position. Third position occupies helper.

Table 3: Different types of workers of Bismillah Auto rice mill.

Types of Worker No of Workers

Machine operator 2
Helper 6
Cleaner 5
Load carrier 10
Supervisor 2
Table 3 shows different types of workers involved in Bismillah Auto Rice mill .

12

10

8
NO of workers

0
Machine Helper Cleaner Load Carrier Supervisor
operator
Types of workers

Fig 3: Surveyed different types of workers of Bismillah Auto Rice Mill.

From figure 3, it is seen that load carrier workers number are maximum, Helper numbers are in second
position. Third position occupies cleaner.

Table 4: Different types of workers of Rahman Auto rice mill.

No of Workers
Machine operator 3
Helper 5
Cleaner 10
Load carrier 5
Supervisor 2

Table 4 shows different types of workers involved in Rahman Auto Rice mill.
 8
7
6

No of wprkers
5
4
3
2
1
0
Machine Helper Cleanner load supervisor
operator plucker
Types of workers

Fig 4: Surveyed different types of workers of Rahman Auto Rice Mill.

From figure 4, it is seen that cleaner workers number are maximum, helper and load carrier numbers
are in second position.

Table -5 : Different types of workers of Robbani Auto rice mill :

Types of Worker No of Workers

Machine operator 3
Helper 5
Cleaner 10
Load carrier 5
Supervisor 2
Table 5 shows different types of workers involved in Alahi Auto Rice mill .
 12

10

8
NO of workers

0
Machine Helper Cleaner Load Carrier Supervisor
operator
Types of workers

Fig 5: Surveyed different types of workers of Robbani Auto Rice Mill.

From figure 5 , it is seen that cleaner workers number are maximum , load carrier and helper numbers
are in second position .

Table -6 : Different types of workers of Al falah Auto rice mill :

Types of Worker No of Workers

Machine operator 3
Helper 5
Cleaner 7
Load carrier 5
Supervisor 2

Table 6 shows different types of workers involved in Al falah Auto Rice mill .
 8
7
6

NO of workers
5
4
3
2
1
0
Machine Helper Cleaner Load Carrier Supervisor
operator
Types of workers

Fig 6: Surveyed different types of workers of Al Falah Auto Rice Mill.

From figure 6 , it is seen that cleaner workers number are maximum , load carrier and helper numbers
are in second position .

Table -7 : Different types of workers of Alampur Auto rice mill :

Types of Worker No of Workers

Machine operator 3
Helper 5
Cleaner 6
Load carrier 5
Supervisor 2

Table 7 shows different types of workers involved in Alampur Auto Rice mill .
 7

NO of workers 4

0
Machine Helper Cleaner Load Carrier Supervisor
operator
Types of workers

Fig 7: Surveyed different types of workers of Alampur Auto Rice Mill.

From figure 7, it is seen that cleaner workers number are maximum, load carrier and helper numbers
are in second position.

Table -8: Different types of workers of Kazi Auto rice mill:

Types of Worker No of Workers

Machine operator 3
Helper 7
Cleaner 8
Load carrier 5
Supervisor 2

Table 8 shows different types of workers involved in kazi Auto Rice mill.
 9
8
7

NO of workers
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Machine Helper Cleaner Load Carrier Supervisor
operator
Types of workers

Fig 8: Surveyed different types of workers of Kazi Auto Rice Mill.

From figure 8 , it is seen that cleaner workers number are maximum , helper numbers are in second
position . Third position occupies load carrier.

Table -9 : Different types of workers of Bhuia Auto rice mill :

Types of Worker No of Workers

Machine operator 3
Helper 6
Cleaner 7
Load carrier 6
Supervisor 2

Table 9 shows different types of workers involved in Alahi Auto Rice mill.
 8
7
6

NO of workers
5
4
3
2
1
0
Machine Helper Cleaner Load Carrier Supervisor
operator
Types of workers

Fig 9: Surveyed different types of workers of Bhuia Auto Rice Mill.

From figure 9, it is seen that cleaner workers number are maximum, load carrier and helper numbers
are in second position.

Occupational health hazards faced by the workers of Auto Rice Mill:

A.Physical Hazards:

Different types of Physical Hazard of Alahi Auto rice mill:

30

25
no of suffered worker

20

15

10

0
heat cold rain noise vibration
category of problem

Fig 10: Physical hazard faced by the surveyed workers at work of Alahi Auto Rice Mill

From figure 10 , it is seen that cold , noise , and heat are mostly faced by the interviewed workers . Rain
and noise affect comparatively less to the workers .Noise is high because of the vibration of the
separator and paddy cleaner machine and cold is occurred due to high rate of dust in air with in the
workplace.
Different types of Physical Hazard of Al Modina Auto rice mill :

30

25

no of suffered worker 20

15

10

0
heat cold rain noise vibration
category of problem

Fig 12: Physical hazard faced by the surveyed workers at work of Al modina Auto Rice Mill

From figure 12, it is seen that heat, cold, rain, heat, and vibration are mostly faced by the interviewed
workers. Noise affects less to the workers of Al Modina auto rice mill.Heat is high due to the improper
ventilation of the rice mill.

Different types of Physical Hazard of Bismillah Auto rice mill :

30

25
no of suffered worker

20

15

10

0
heat cold rain noise vibration
category of problem

Fig 13: Physical hazard faced by the surveyed workers at work of Bismillah Auto Rice Mill

From figure 13, it is seen that noise and cold are mostly faced by the interviewed workers. Heat affects
less to the workers of Bismillah auto rice mill. Due to the misalignment of sheller,noise rate is maximum
here.
Different types of Physical Hazard of Rahman Auto rice mill :

30

25
no of suffered worker
20

15

10

0
heat cold rain noise vibration
category of problem

Fig 14: Physical hazard faced by the surveyed workers at work of Rahman Auto Rice Mill

From figure 14, it is seen that heat and rain are mostly faced by the interviewed workers. Vibration
affects less to the workers of Rahman auto rice mill.Heat is high due to the improper ventilation where
rain effects most because of improper roofing system of the rice mills.

Different types of Physical Hazard of Robbani Auto rice mill:

35
30
no of suffered worker

25
20
15
10
5
0
heat cold rain noise vibration
category of problem

Fig 15: Physical hazard faced by the surveyed workers at work of Robbani Auto Rice Mill

From figure 15, it is seen that vibration are mostly faced by the interviewed workers . Rain affects less to
the workers .Due to the misalignment of machineries, vibration is maximum.
Different types of Physical Hazard of Al falah Auto rice mill :

35
30

no of suffered worker
25
20
15
10
5
0
heat cold rain noise vibration
category of problem

Fig 16: Physical hazard faced by the surveyed workers at work of Al falah Auto Rice Mill

From figure 16, it is seen that rain is mostly faced by the interviewed workers. Here cold affects less to
the workers .Due to pot hole in roof , during rainy season rain drop falls to the factory floor which is
more .

Different types of Physical Hazard of Alampur Auto rice mill :

35

30
no of suffered worker

25

20

15

10

0
heat cold rain noise vibration
category of problem

Fig 17: Physical hazard faced by the surveyed workers at work of Alampur Auto Rice Mill

From figure 17, it is seen that rain is mostly faced by the interviewed workers . Cold affects less to the
workers. . .Due to pot hole in roof , during rainy season rain drop falls to the factory floor which is more .
Different types of Physical Hazard of Kazi Auto rice mill :

30

25
no of suffered worker
20

15

10

0
heat cold rain noise vibration
category of problem

Fig 18: Physical hazard faced by the surveyed workers at work of Kazi Auto Rice Mill

From figure 18, it is seen that noise are mostly faced by the interviewed workers. Heat affects less to
the workers of Kazi auto rice mill. Noise is created due to the high sound of paddy separator.
Physical Hazard comparison of different auto rice mill:

Mill 1
15%
Mill 6
27%

Mill 2
22%

Mill 5
18% Mill 3
Mill 4 9%
9%

Fig 19: Physical Hazard comparison of the surveyed workers at different auto rice mill .

The pie chart as presented in figure 21 , it is seen that among the surveyed workers 15% of Alahi auto
rice mill(mill-1) , 22% of Al modina auto rice mill (mill-2), 9 % of Bismillah auto rice mill(mill-3) , 9% of
Rahman auto rice mill( mill-4), 18 % of Robbanni auto rice mill (mill-5), 27% of Al Falah auto rice mill
(mill-6)suffer from various physical hazards. Here it is seen that physical hazard more in mill-6 and
comparatively lowest in mill-3.
B.Biological Hazard:

Biological Hazard comparison of different auto rice mill:

Mill 6
5% Mill 1
Mill 5 20%
15%

Mill 4
10% Mill 2
15%

Mill 3
35%

Fig 20: Biological Hazard comparison of the surveyed workers at different auto rice mill.

The pie chart as presented in figure 20 , it is seen that among the surveyed workers 20% of Alahi auto
rice mill (mill 1) , 15% of Al modina auto rice mill( mill 2) , 35 % of Bismillah auto rice mill (mill 3) , 10%
of Rahman auto rice mill (mill 4), 15 % of Robbanni auto rice mill( mill 5) , 5% of Al falah auto rice mill
(mill 6) suffer from various Biological hazards. Here it is seen that biological hazard more in mill 3 and
comparatively lowest in mill 6.
Chemical Hazard comparison of different auto rice mill:

Mill 6
8%
Mill 1
Mill 5 25%
13%

Mill 2
Mill 4 12%
25%

Mill 3
17%

Fig 21: Chemical Hazard comparison of the surveyed workers at different auto rice mill

The pie chart as presented in figure 21 , it is seen that among the surveyed workers 25% of Alahi auto
rice mill ( mill 1) , 12% of Al modina auto rice mill( mill 2 ), 17 % of Bismillah auto rice mill (mill 3) , 25%
of Rahman auto rice mill (mill 4), 13 % of Robbanni auto rice mill (mill 5) , 8% of Al falah auto rice mill(
mill 6) suffer from various Chemical hazards. Here it is seen that chemical hazard more in mill 4 and
comparatively lowest in mill 6 .
Mechanical Hazard comparison of different auto rice mill:

Mill 6
5%
Mill 5
15% Mill 1
35%

Mill 4
10%

Mill 3
Mill 2
20%
15%

Figure 22: Mechanical Hazard comparison of the surveyed workers at different auto rice mill

The pie chart as presented in figure 31 , it is seen that among the surveyed workers 35% of Alahi auto
rice mill ( mill 1) , 15% of Al modina auto rice mill (mill 2) , 20% of Bismillah auto rice mill( mill 3) , 10% of
Rahman auto rice mill (mill 4), 15 % of Robbanni auto rice mill (mill 5 ), 5% of Al falah auto rice mill ( mill
6) suffer from various mechanical hazards. Here it is seen that mechanical hazard more in mill 1 and
comparatively lowest in mill 6 .

Comparison of hazard among the surveyed auto rice mill :

Types of Hazard No of workers

Physical 90

Mechanical 60

Biological 70

Chemical 90
 Comparison of Hazard

Physical
Chemical
24%
27%

Biological Mechanical
20% 29%

Figure 23: Comparison of hazard suffered by the interviewed workers of the auto rice mill .

Auto Rice Mill workers are susceptible to numerous occupational health problems .Some major
occupational health hazards faced by the surveyed workers are summarized in figure 23 , it is seen that
ten auto rice mill workers suffers mostly from mechanical hazard .
 35

30 Mill 1
Mill 2
25
Mill 3

20 Mill 4
Mill 5
15 Mill 6
Mill 7
10
Mill 8
Mill 9
5
Mill 10
0
Physical Mechanical Biological Chemical

Figure24: Comparison of hazard suffered by the interviewed workers of the auto rice mill.

From figure 33, it is seen that surveyed 10 rice mill workers suffer mostly from mechanical
hazard. Averagely 10 rice mill workers suffer from biological and physical hazard. Highest mechanical
hazards are occurred in Elahi Auto Rice Mill (30%), most physical hazards are faced in Al Modina Auto
Rice Mill (26%) and chemical hazards are highest in Rahman and Rubbany Auto Rice Mill (27%).
Psychosocial hazards
Psychosocial health of the rice mill workers is also influenced by their overall occupational
health condition .psychosocial workplace characteristics related to stress and work frustration may
be due to health outcomes ,the balance between a workers efforts and the rewards
(e.g.pay,recognization ,status, prospects of promotion etc.) received for his work and the extent to
which supervisor and co-workers are supportive .Other includes work stability ,service condition,
job satisfaction and welfare condition in rice mills .
Health problems faced by the 10 rice mill workers
Ten rice mill workers face different types of health problems. According to the information
collected through questionnaires, surveyed workers of selected rice mill faces health problems of
which body pain, anemia’s, headache and respiratory diseases are the most .
The main causes of vulnerability of the surveyed workers of 10 rice mills to occupational
hazard are as follows .The workers cannot afford a nutritional diet because of low wages and fall
prey to diseases early. Temporary workers get lower social benefits like medical care, housing,
educational facilities for their children etc. Pesticides are often sprayed without proper protection.
Protective gear is also not provided to the workers while operating machines in the rice
mills .Intoxication among the rice mill workers is a common phenomenon .Absenteeism results in
lower income. Work frustration causes antipathy towards work. Absenteeism is more due to
monotonous work. Nowadays management is trying to rotate the work among the workers to
reduce absenteeism.

Suggestions for Improving the Occupational Health of the Rice Mill Workers
Some suggestion for improving the occupational health condition of the rice mills workers
of ten selected rice mills are as stated in the following sections. Educational facilities for the rice
mill workers should be improved. There should be a primary school in each region of rice mill. The
rice mills works should be made aware of the importance of formal education. Income of both
permanent and temporary works should be increased so that they can lead comfortable and
hygienic lifestyle and invest more in health and education.
The rice mill workers should be made aware of the importance of the health benefits of drinking
safe water, of keeping their surroundings clean and free from dirt and stagnant water .The walls
and machinery of the rice mills should be kept clean, machines should be fenced off and the floors,
stairs and means of access should be of sound construction .Protective clothing like gloves, mask,
helmets, etc. should also be provided to works. Proper training regarding handling tools and
machines should be given to the workers.

CONCLUSION
The study has revealed that the rice mill workers have a long way to go in terms of
mitigating the occupational health hazard. Prevention and control of occupational health hazard
among the workers can be done by regular environment monitoring .providing economic benefits
will help to boost the morale of the workers.
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