Industrial Hygiene: A Study in Coir Spinning Units in Tamil Nadu

Coir yarn spinning as a micro entrepreneurial venture is promoted extensively in rural areas particularly in regions where coconut as a crop is prominent, with the twin objectives of employment generation particularly among women and meeting the global demand for coir and coir related products. Of late, both the State and Central governments have launched several schemes and programmes for extending liberal supports for the promotion of coir based entrepreneurial activities. The study conducted among a few coir yarn spinning units in the sample geographical area in Tamil Nadu discloses the state-of-affair on the health and safety hazards in coir yarn spinning units. Coir yarn spinning entrepreneurs have taken up adequate precautionary measures against 'safety hazards in the workplace' while the measures relating to caring the health and hygiene of the workers employed in the production process are inadequate. The workers are reported to be affected by ailments such as headache, back pain, respiratory problems, skin diseases, and ailments in eyes more frequently. These call for very immediate appropriate solutions. The feasibility of extending the welfare measures as applicable to workers in the formal / organised sectors may be gauged and worked out without hampering the initiatives of the coir yarn entrepreneurs at the grass ischolar_mains.