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631 Occupational health program for migrant workers in thailand
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  1. S Arphorn1,
  2. P Khongnil2,
  3. G Bangkadanara3,
  4. T Thanachoksawang1,
  5. B Wangkahad4
  1. 1Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
  2. 2Kanchanaburi College of Agriculture and Technology, Kanchanaburi, Thailand
  3. 3School of Health Science, Sukhothai thammathirat Open University, Nonthaburi, Thailand
  4. 4Syngenta Crop company, Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

Introduction Migrant workers play an important role in generating productivity of Thailand presently. The employment of these migrant workers generates social and cultural interaction. Working in agriculture is common among migrant workers especially in border areas. Thailand has an occupational health working mechanism to promote and encourage work safety especially for workers in the system. Examples of this mechanism include the work of safety officers in work safety education, improving working environment, identifying potential hazards, and health check-up based on work risks, etc. These mechanisms are not found in the informal workers, especially among agricultural migrant workers. Apart from the lack of support for occupational health knowledge, there also be communication problems. Use of language to communicate directly to migrant workers may be a problem and an obstacle, sometimes causes misunderstandings.

Objective The aim of this project is to develop a knowledge mechanism driven by the occupational health leader who can understand both Thai and migrant workers’ language in order to provide the right and understandable knowledge by learning materials.

Method The researcher has developed a safety promotion model to have the occupational health leader to create work safety characteristics and behaviours as well as transfer this knowledge to migrant workers. The action research collects samples by mixed methodology, applying both qualitative and quantitative research in order to create improvement. The research uses participation technique along with conducting field experiment to test the effectiveness of tools or equipment or patterns or mechanisms developed with the target group.

Result Occupational health leaders can convey the knowledge of the agricultural chemicals risks, and make the migrant workers aware of potential dangers, know how to use self-protective equipment from agricultural chemicals and have better health.

  • Migrant workers
  • Occupational Health
  • Occupational health leader

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