To Study Occupational Hazards and Knowledge of Safety Measures in Filling Attendants at Petrol Pumps of Bhopal City

Pradeep Dohare; Dileep Dandotiya; Manju Toppo

Volume : IX, Issue : I, January - 2019

To Study Occupational Hazards and Knowledge of Safety Measures in Filling Attendants at Petrol Pumps of Bhopal City

Pradeep Dohare, Dileep Dandotiya, Manju Toppo

Abstract :

Introduction: Petroleum industry has over the past few years attracted the attention of a great deal of investors both locally and internationally. There are about 250 petrol pumps in Bhopal city. Apart from providing readily available fuel retail points for the general public, the proliferation of these stations have also contributed to employment generation. Nevertheless, there are pressing concerns about the health and safety standards at fuel station. Inhalation of petroleum vapors will curtail the carcinogenic, mutagenic effects as well as adverse effects on the human reproductive system known to be associated with long term exposure to petroleum vapors. Objectives: 1) To study the occupational hazards and health effects on petrol pump attendants. 2) To study the knowledge regarding safety measures of pump attendants. Material & Methods: A cross–sectional study was conducted among 123 filling attendants of selected petrol pumps of Bhopal city for the duration of two months. A questionnaire was administered and obtained data were collected and analyzed statistically by simple proportions. Results: Maximum filling attendants were young male. Exposure to extreme weather conditions, inhalation of vehicle fumes and vapor of petrol and fire accidents were the top occupational hazards in filling attendants. Common illness in filling attendants are all work related like musculoskeletal disorder > low back pain >headache >dizziness. Pre and post work medical examination habits was not so good. Although all stations had firefighting equipment training in their usage was highly associated with work experience of pump attendants; most newly employed attendants (<5years work experience) are not trained in their usage. Conclusion: Filling attendants in Petrol Pumps are predisposed to dire health risks due to their working conditions and require urgent measures to protect them. Medical examination and proper training related to safety measures needs to be proper implementation.