India

Assam is considered to be the largest tea-producing region in the world, with approximately 20% of Assam’s total popu- lation working on tea plantations. Workers are exposed to several kinds of hazards: physical hazards, UV exposure, respiratory hazards, electrical hazards, fire and explo- sions, and ergonomic problems, especially for women in plucking areas where women represent 80% of total workers in the field. To clarify the situation of tea plantation workers, seven tea estates were visited in three districts in Assam over six months. There were some obstacles: the language barrier, the workers were afraid of taking part; management felt uncomfortable or was not enthusiastic at the beginning. A teaching intervention was designed to provide simple and direct orientation for tea plantation workers to increase their knowledge about OSH issues, to enhance their personal behaviours in the face of risks, and to improve their OSH awareness. The intervention focused on two measures: good posture in different work positions when carrying heavy loads, bending, lifting, or carrying nets/baskets. The second measure focused on the proper use of personal pro- tective equipment. To overcome the language
barrier, the design of the
teaching intervention was
based on colourful posters,
games and simulations, for
example, comparing a bad posture with a good one. The intervention was implemented in two steps. In the first step, it took place two times (1.5 h/ day) over two
weeks. After a break of two months, there was a second step which involved the level of behavioural changes of the workers being checked. There were some positive behavioural changes for some workers involved in the intervention at different ages, so the changes did not relate to a specific age.
Women were more aware and were more likely to accept changes than men. Women also remembered having fun and laughing during the simulation of postures. The teaching intervention taught me a lot: first, that OSH language does not have any barrier. It is easily to understand and easily to follow, especially if you can offer simple and reasonable solutions which are suitable for the people. Second, it is important to offer the service inside the community, in this case the tea plantation community. This meant that a large number of workers – men and women – were able to join, including children and older workers. Third, teaching intervention can be a simple technique to help participants enhance their knowledge; to increase their awareness by using funny, attractive methods which en- courage them to join; to express themselves; and to accept the message from the inter- vention and remember it for a long time.

Level of Education: Continuing vocational education and training

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