Vol. 12, Special Issue 10 (2023)

Author(s):
AS Waghmode, VV Aware, ML Jadhav, PU Shahare, YP Khandetod, S Saxena and BD Shinde

Abstract:
The efficient and judicious use of pesticides is very important. Hence, to assess the status of mango growers in Konkan region, the survey for risk identification during spraying in mango orchard was carried out. The outcome of risk identification survey revealed that, the use of portable horizontal triplex pump power sprayer was found dominant in Konkan region especially for mango orchard spraying. It was evident that, 74 per cent farmer’s had health complaints and 68 per cent of farmer’s had frequent hand injury at the time of pesticide application. Among the surveyed farmers, only 18 per cent used hand gloves during pesticide application. Among the surveyed farmers, only 8 per cent used mask and only 14 per cent used apron. None of farmer used any eye protecting device during pesticide application. In work and work place related occupational hazards, 74 per cent suffered from inhalation issues, 66 per cent suffered from respiratory airways diseases, 88 per cent suffered from skin burn issues and 82 per cent suffered from body ache and headache problems. Considering posture-related occupational hazards, 78 per cent, 68 per cent, 86 per cent, 88 per cent, 90 per cent, 78 per cent and 78 per cent male farmers were suffered from body pain, back pain, leg pain, knee pain, hand pain, neck pain and waist pain, respectively. Aspect in pesticide spraying related to requirement of job specialization, among the surveyed farmers, 66 per cent had opinion that the pesticide spraying operation was simple and uncomplicated, while 34 per cent responded opposite of it. Whereas among the surveyed farmers, 66 per cent had opinion that spraying does not need elementary skill, while 34 per cent responded opposite of skill requirement aspect. The ergonomic aspects in pesticide spraying operation related to ease of work and workplace safety, among the surveyed farmer’s, 78 per cent had opinion that there was ease of work and safety at workplace, whereas 22 per cent responded opposite of it. Whereas Among the surveyed farmers, 22 per cent opinion that spraying carried out at relaxed work, while 78 per cent responded opposite of work posture.