Subjects and methods

A cross sectional survey of sugarcane crushers was conducted.³ These workers produce juice from sugarcane using methods that place them at high risk for hand injuries. Data obtained from the Block Development Office identified all sugarcane crushers living in the Kaniyambadi Block in the Vellore District, South India (population 100 000).

All sugarcane crushers with no previous hand injury were included.^{4, 5}

A questionnaire was developed and validated on five cases. A single observer, using this questionnaire, conducted on-site interviews and photographed the sugarcane crushing machinery.

Results

Most (93%) crushers were operated singly—each labourer operating an individual unit (fig 1). Of these, 40% had pursued the same profession for more than four years.⁶ All used roller machines and most used both hands.

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Figure 1

Sugarcane crusher with single operator showing no safety features.

Fifty six per cent worked for more than 12 hours every day and 34% worked for more than eight hours, although only 12% considered duration as a risk factor. Instead, being injured was considered to be due to bad luck by about half and just over one third felt injuries were “God's will”. Carelessness was thought to be the cause of injury by 63%.

In spite of this, most (84%) agreed that attentive and careful behaviour can reduce injuries. Only 16% thought that safer machines were required. Even though nearly one half of the workers accepted that hands could be caught in the conveyor belt, only 28% agreed that covering the belt with a mesh would be useful (see table 1 for attitudes and practices of the workers to hand safety).

Altogether 40% thought special gloves would be useful, whereas 19% thought they would be a hindrance, and none had tried gloves because of their cost. Only 28% agreed to try them even if they were provided free. All thought some prevention training could reduce injury morbidity.

Discussion

Sugarcane crushers work in self employed independent units, usually in stalls at public places. Most are poor and not well educated; only 44% were literate. None had been injured in the recent past, thus making their perception regarding injuries unbiased.⁴ All were right handed and it was the right hand that was more liable to injury.⁶

The guard plate designed to prevent injury while inserting sugarcane is inadequate. As well, the conveyor belt tended to slip off while the machine was running and thus could cause injury. Nevertheless, only about 16% of the study population perceived a need for safety improvements in their equipment, and this may have been influenced by the likely cost of doing so in view of the fact that all were self financed businesses. Repetitive work for a long time has been shown to increase carelessness and injuries.^{7, 8} About 56% of the population worked for more than 12 hours every day, though not constantly crushing cane. However, most did not consider the long work day to be a risk factor.

LIMITATIONS

The small sample makes it important to validate these findings in a larger group.

Implications for prevention

This cross sectional study suggests the need for more education about safety in this work situation. The study population seems to have accepted these injuries as inevitable and appear unaware of safety measures.

A more promising solution is to have the government provide local repair shops; these would provide upkeep to the machinery and also provide modifications known to enhance the machine's safety.

Labourers in high risk occupations need to be made aware that occupational safety is their right and not a privilege.