Occupational Health Hazards Of Working Women In Unorganized Sector (Dec 2008- 2010)

Funded By Department Of Science & Technology

Introduction :


Occupational Health Hazards of women in these unorganized sectors are not covered under any factories Acts &management .The unorganized sectors were covered (brick kiln & construction industry) where exposure is mostly form Carbon monoxide & silica dust. Health of the working women was examined based on Exposure related symptoms (ES)- primary survey ,Work related symptoms (WRS)&General Medical symptoms (GRS)


Objectives of the project :


  • To conduct preliminary environmental survey and compile information pertaining to various Environmental/medical studies for different occupational hazards of unorganized sector among women in PimpriChinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) in Pune District
  • To prepare manuals on safe and healthy work practices for unorganized sector with reference to women working in these sector.
  • To conduct workshops on “Occupational Health and Healthy Practices” at the worksites including the employers.

Target Group


Brick Kiln sites :
BodkewadiPhata, Dangechowk&Thergaon, Chikhali, Wakad, Man, Hinjewadi (total 6 Nos)

Construction Sites :
Kala Khadak, Wakad, Chikhali, Nigdi, Kharadi, Chakan (total 6 Nos)

Working Environmental Assessment


Gas sampling: Working environment exposure of gases at brick kilns was determined or measured by gas detector tubes of lowest range of united phosphorous company with the help Gasteck detector pump of model 800.
Dust Sampling- To measure the Silica dust concentration model SKC Air Check – 52 air sampling instrument was used. Silica dust concentration was measured gravimetrically. Dust concentration in & around brick kiln is very high.

Chemical hazards in Construction


Symptom wise distribution of respondent : About half of women were complaining backache and headache; 20%-25% were having problems in vision and burning sensations in hand and feet; rest of about 10%-18% women were having symptoms of cough, breathlessness and tremors in fingers etc. Fig- 8

Workshop on ‘Occupational health & safety practices’ for Brick kiln & construction site for workers. The topics included first – aid, fracture, ABC, Ergonomics & Health hazards, Occupational exposure level & personal protective equipments.


IEC Prepared for exhibition and presentation at worksite


Mega Workshop


Mega Project was organized on 24/01/2011 at Training Centre of Hindustan Antibiotics, Pimpri.Dr. V. G. Vaidya, Managing Trustee of LMRC ,Dr. Shashi Ahuja, Scientist ‘F’ , RVPSP, Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi , Mr. V.B. Sant , Director General,National Safety Council, Mumbai , Mr. K. C. Gupta, Director General National

Safety Council, DG( FASLI) & Distinguished member of GC LMRC and Dr. Nagmani Rao HOD- URCD -Karve Institute of Social Science, Mr. Baba Kamble- President Maharashtra KashtakariKamgarSanghatana-PCMC spoke on the occasion