Knowledge and Awareness of Salt workers regarding work related health hazards in Sambhar Lake of Rajasthan

Abstract

  The intense heat, hard work, direct contact with salt, and glare from salt crystals in the sun pose serious health risks to the salt workers. This paper shows their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding their work related hazards as well as availability and use of personal protective equipments (PPEs). A survey was conducted in 4 villages of Phulera Block. A survey of 250 salt workers selected from the selected villages was conducted. The data was collected through direct interview using a pre designed questionnaire. Majority of salt worker (79 percent) reported of being aware of one or more hazards like physical stress (78.8 percent), direct sunlight (58 percent) and injury from salt crystals (1 percent) in salt work.  89.2 percent of the salt workers were aware of one or the other personal protective equipments.  However, only less than 15 percent were using the conventional PPEs. Most of the salt workers were aware of the hazards as well as one or the other methods of protective equipment but actual use of PPE is very low because PPE were mainly not provided by the employer and perception of inconvenience in using them. There is a large gap between awareness and usage of PPE by salt workers.