Situation and Management Approach of Occupational Health and Safety of the Self-Employed Elderly Workers in the Community, Uttaradit Province

Abstract

 This analytical research aimed to analyze the situation and management approach of occupational health and safety among Self- Employed Elderly Workers in Uttaradit Province. The sample consisted of 350 self-employed elderly workers and 60 public health leaders. The tools used are the questionnaires and focus group discussion. Data analysis were frequency, percentage, and content analysis. The results revealed that: 1) perceived health risks from working: It was found that causes of injury or illness among the elderly in both urban and semi-urban areas was aches and pains from working, while the elderly in rural areas was heat or excessive exposure to sunlight. 2) the need for support with knowledge: It was found that the elderly in urban areas need support about disease prevention and control and occupational hazards. Meanwhile, the elderly in semi-urban areas need support about safety principles at work. The elderly people in rural areas need support about the safe use of chemicals. 3) health problems and illnesses from work: Health problems found in elderly people in urban areas were exposure to heat or working outdoors, while the elderly in semi-urban and rural areas were lifting heavy objects. For the ergonomic problems of self-employed elderly workers in urban, Semi-urban, and rural areas was problems from sitting while working. Development of guidelines for community participation including (1) understanding of the situation (2) prioritizing problems and planning to implement (3) knowledge management and (4) reflecting ideas to self-employed elderly workers for implementation.