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Female domestic workers play an important role in our domestic work. The contribution made by these workers on one hand eases our work however on the other makes them exposed to different types of occupational health hazards. This study is carried out with an aim to ascertain the female domestic workers occupational health in two different settings of Indian cities namely Chandrapur city and Chimur town. Findings of the study revealed that these domestic workers have shoulder pain, upper back pain, knee pain, lower back pain, hand pain etc. Occupational health problems after completion of the work includes cough and cold, fever, stomach pain, etc. Palm dry skin, thick, scaly, peeling of skin and deep painful cracks on feet are some of the important dermatological problems reported by these workers. Respiratory problems including chest tightness are other important problems. Peak Expiatory Flow Rate (PEFR) analysis revealed that as age increases (so as the exposure duration) peak expiatory flow observed value decreases. Thus, these workers are at risk of occupational health due to this occupation. No personal protective equipment's are provided by the employer.
About the author
Priyanka Bharose holds M.Sc. Environmental Science and is trained in occupational health assessment. Rahul Kamble holds MBA Environmental Management (the Netherlands), MSc, PhD Environmental Science. He is working as an Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Science, Sardar Patel College, Chandrapur, India.
