Child Labor in Ghana Cocoa Production: Focus upon Agricultural Tasks, Ergonomic Exposures, and Associated Injuries and Illnesses

Details

• Personal Author:
  Kirkhorn SR ; Mull LD
• Description:
  Objectives: The goal of this study was to determine the occupational hazards experienced by children harvesting cocoa in western Ghana in order to design a vocational literacy life skills curriculum and radio social messaging campaign with a safety component to decrease hazardous work exposures in child agricultural work. Methods: An observational analysis was conducted of children aged 9 through 17 based upon personal interviews of agricultural workers, focus groups, and direct observation of work practices and activities. Job site analysis incorporated task mapping, job hazard review, and a review of equipment and use of protective gear. Results: Children and young people aged 9 through 17 are exposed to hazardous occupational exposures including strenuous work, sharp tools, and pesticides. Lack of training in proper safety practices and inadequate personal protective equipment were commonly noted. Injuries and illnesses included musculoskeletal disorders, sprains, strains, lacerations to the head, fractures, eye injuries, rashes, and coughing. Conclusion: Children working in cocoa harvesting are exposed to physical and chemical hazards without proper training or personal protective equipment. Unless safety interventions occur, there are potential long-term adverse health consequences. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Agriculture Insecticides Musculoskeletal Diseases Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Occupational Injuries Personal Protective Equipment Protective Clothing Safety Safety Management Staff Development Stress, Psychological

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• Keywords:
  Agricultural-chemicals Agricultural-industry Agricultural-workers Children Hazards Job-analysis Job-stress Musculoskeletal-system-disorders Occupational-accidents Occupational-exposure Occupational-hazards Personal-protection Personal-protective-equipment Pesticides Pesticides-and-agricultural-chemicals Protective-clothing Protective-equipment Safety-measures Safety-practices Tools Training Work-practices

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• ISSN:
  0033-3549
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 5 ; Virginia ; Wisconsin
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  120
• Issue:
  6
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20031992
• Citation:
  Public Health Rep 2005 Nov-Dec; 120(6):649-655
• Contact Point Address:
  International Initiative to End Child Labor, Arlington, VA 22204, USA
• Email:
  Diane@endchildlabor.org
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2006
• Performing Organization:
  Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20030930
• Source Full Name:
  Public Health Reports
• End Date:
  20080929
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:f15e2e15418a22bc5f5154af618a30fd11becce026a06d92dab8636d958df25d959633dbc8ac0e3565bf296d2035ae3561a517af7517b1de7f9aaefa7cb8a1cf
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/186088/cdc_186088_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 9.32 MB ]