Abstract

GUERRERO ZARRAGA, Clara  and  FLORES, Cecilia Cruz. A look to the work conditions and the worker’s of a small company of food health.. Salud de los Trabajadores [online]. 2007, vol.15, n.1, pp.37-50. ISSN 1315-0138.

This study examined a small fruit processing company in terms of workplace conditions and organization, risks and stressful demands to which workers are exposed; and their effects on worker health. The entire workforce of the company, consisting of 37 workers. The study was cross-sectional, a guided observation of task processes and an individual questionnaire were applied. Statistical and epidemiological indicators were used to analyze the data. The results indicate that the most prevalent hazards are noise, heat, sudden changes in temperature, and hazards arising from infrastructure conditions in the plant. The main stressful demands arising are ergonomic, including, among others, workdays exceeding 48 hours; carrying, pushing or pulling heavy objects; and movements requiring strength. These demands were found to be strongly associated with specific problems, most notably musculoskeletal disorders, low back pain and fatigue. It was possible to be demonstrated that the modifications to the process and organization of work that has implemented this small company, affect of alarming way the health of their workers, reason why serious advisable to study the work process who carry out these companies and their impact in the health of the workers, since althoung they contract little personal, such companies represent a sizeable source of employment for the overall worker population.

Keywords : workers; working conditions; food processing industry; occupational health.