O-223 Occupational health & safety services in informal sectors in India: a literature review. (14th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Desai, Khyati; Dave, Bhavin
• Is Part Of: Occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 80(2023)Supplement 1
• Page Start: A22
• Page End: A23
• Publication Date: 2023-03-14
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 616.980305
• DOI: 10.1136/OEM-2023-EPICOH.53
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-0711

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: Most of our workforce in India (92%) are working in informal sectors, while providing OHS services to them is a legal framework exclusion. This study is a literature review of existing OHS service provision in informal sector and identify opportunities to address them. Methods: This is a narrative review of the studies, which reported provision any occupational health services in informal sectors of India. A literature review was done by general web search using 'google scholar'; specific website search using 'cochrane, pubmed, academia, science direct, mendeley' etc; government official websites and company official websites. The review included government reports, company reports, original articles, editorials and review articles. A total of 147 studies and reports were reviewed which mentioned key words 'occupational health', 'informal sector' and 'India'. Results: While 99% literature mentioned about at least one of the OH services provision in informal sector, only 13% actually quantified any service provision. No literature reported active surveillance and notification of the occupational health hazards and diseases. Employer gave medical insurance to 2%-10% employees of informal sector. Only one original article reported use of PPEs in fishery by 1.2% employees. A few project-based OHS services provision reported. A bill for OHS code passed in parliament in 2020 again excluded informal sector by not defining beneficiaries. Two studies reported Basic Occupational Health Services including Primary health care system as a promising strategy to fulfill the gaps in areas of surveillance, prevention and treatment of OH hazards and health issues. Conclusion: Occupational Health service provision even though excludes current legal framework in informal sectors, few efforts are done towards recognizing and fulfilling this gap. The solidification of OHS can be done by exploring its integration with primary health care set up of India in existing scenario.