Home⇛Science and Technology Journal⇛vol. 4 no. 1 (2014)

Impact of Hazards on thr Safety and Health of Women in Nontraditional Occupations

Cheryll Didi Nellie N. Obra

Discipline: environmental sciences

 

Abstract:

With the increasing number of women entering nontraditional occupations (NTOs), concerns about their health and safety are growing. As such, this descriptive-relationship study determined the demographic profile and occupational hazards that influenced the safety and health problems of 180 women engaged in NTOs in Ilocos Norte. A three-part structured questionnaire adapted from Indicator Tool, Workplace Violence Guide, and Basic Health Questionnaire collected the needed data. The overall means showed that the women never experienced workplace violence, sexual harassment, and strained relationships. Likewise, they completely understood their job roles and often exerted job control. They also agreed that organizational changes were communicated and managed and they received social support from their managers and peers. Moreover, they derived relatively favorable satisfaction, security, and rewards. However, they perceived their jobs to be seldom demanding and moderately stressful. They were also seldom exposed to ergonomic and physical hazards and seldom experienced musculoskeletal disorders and burnout, but they never experienced accidents. Pearson’s correlation (r) revealed significant relationships between occupational hazards and safety and health concerns. In particular, demands, relationships, sexual harassment, workplace violence, work-related stress, ergonomic hazards, and physical hazards were associated with accidents, musculoskeletal disorders, and burnout. These findings imply that special attention are needed in controlling exposure to hazards in the workplace and proactive initiatives in establishing protective measures for the women. Hence, employers should create their own occupational safety and health unit tasked to develop, disseminate, and implement policies and programs emphasizing on prevention that minimize exposures to hazards and risks.



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