A Program for Thai Rubber Tappers to Improve the Cost of Occupational Health and Safety

作者：Arphorn Sara^*; Chaonasuan Porntip; Pruktharathikul Vichai; Singhakajen Vajira; Chaikitti**** Chalermchai

来源：Industrial Health, 2010, 48(3): 275-282.

DOI：10.2486/indhealth.48.275

• Rubber tapper
• Health promotion
• Cost of occupational health
• Work-related accident

The purposes of this research were to determine the cost of occupational health and safety and work-related health problems, accidents, injuries and illnesses in rubber tappers by implementing a program in which rubber tappers were provided training on self-care in order to reduce and prevent work-related accidents, injuries and illnesses. Data on costs for health-care, the prevention and the treatment of work-related accidents, injuries and illnesses were collected by interview using a questionnaire. The findings revealed that there was no relationship between what was spent on health-care and the prevention of work-related accidents, injuries and illnesses and that spent on the treatment of work-related accidents, injuries and illnesses. The proportion of the injured subjects after the program implementation was significantly less than that before the program implementation (p<0.001). The level of pain after the program implementation was significantly less than that before the program implementation (p<0.05). The treatment costs incurred after the program implementation were significantly less than those incurred before the program implementation (p<0.001). It was demonstrated that this program raised the health awareness of rubber tappers. It strongly empowered the leadership in health promotion for the community.

• 出版日期2010-5