Personal Protective Equipment use by farm workers in Ethiopia

Ethiopian state farmers are major users of pesticides. This survey by Yalemtsehay Mekonnen and Tadesse Agonafir of farmworkers who use PPE found it was difficult to wear and of variable effectiveness, but there was a high level of interest among workers.

Workers loading the active ingredient (in drum) for spraying. The clothing worn provides limited protection. The quality of spray equipment is critical. One farm found women spraying in normal clothing only. Photo Yalemtsehay Mekonnen

The agricultural sector is the backbone of the economy in Ethiopia. About 90% of the rural community is associated with farming. It accounts for 45% of GDP, 85% of total employment and 75% of export. However, agriculture has been subject to, and continues to be characterized by, low productivity and slow growth(1). The state owns large farms that cultivate and grow different field crops, vegetables and fruits. Plant pathogens and pests greatly affect agricultural products through the seedling stage to harvest. The country imports a variety of herbicides and insecticides. Some of these chemicals are like DDT, which are banned elsewhere and organophosphates such as profenofos and phosphamidon that are classified as extremely toxic by WHO(2). The handling and storing of chemicals by farm workers in most farms is below any reasonable standard. This includes the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by the workers in all the different assignments on the farm. 
    This report presents part of the result of a survey made on the use of PPE by farm workers in some of the major state farms. 

State farms and locations
Awara-Melka, Nura-Era, Tibila, and Zewai are the major state-owned farms along the rift valley, in close proximity to the Awash River, at an altitude range of 700 to 1500 meters above sea level. The river is used to irrigate the farms that grow cereals, fruit and vegetables and it is also the main source drinking and washing for the community in the area. The fifth farm is Tseday; about 30 km southwest of the capital Addis Ababa, in a highland area, it grows vegetables and apples.

Method of the survey
Standard questionnaires were used to get the response of the farm workers on their knowledge, attitude and practice of pesticide handling and use(3). The farm workers were asked whether they always wear PPE, if the answer was yes, then their response was evaluated (see table).

Results and discussion
Of 139 farm workers interviewed, 133 claimed always to use PPE during pesticide handling and spraying. It is evident that no farm worker showed disinterest in using PPE. This is a positive attitude. Some farm workers said that respirators and goggles were unfit to wear. Quite a number reported that PPE is not provided at all. Some farm workers also complained of worn out gloves that did not provide any protection at all. This is critical in the present situation of extensive application of pesticides in the farms. Aprons and hats are hardly available. In sunny and windy weather, problems resulting from pesticide spraying and handling can be exacerbated in the absence of complete PPE. In particular the farms in the rift valley are hot and subject to long months of dry weather. 
    During the survey we observed pesticide applicators in the field mixing chemicals without taking appropriate care and protection (see photo). In the picture it can be seen that one worker did not wear gloves and one other had no PPE at all. In Tseday apple farm young women were seen to be spraying pesticides with no PPE at all. They did their job wearing their normal dresses. It was also not unusual to see farm workers engaged in eating and/or drinking around pesticide spraying areas.

Conclusion and recommendations
The farm survey indicates that PPE use is not properly regulated and provided. It seems that the some pest applicators were reluctant to regularly use PPE. Worn out PPE was still in use rendering no protection. We recommend the following measures:

• All state farm workers use PPE each time he/she works with pesticides.
• The farm workers should be regularly reminded of the hazardous nature of chemicals.
• Worn out PPE should be replaced on time.
• The health of the workers should be monitored regularly.

References
1. Ministry of Economic Development and Cooperation, Survey of the Ethiopian Economy: An overview of Post Reform Developments, 1999.
2. The WHO recommended classification of pesticides by hazard and guidelines to classification 1994-1995, Geneva, Switzerland, WHO/PCS/1994.2.
3. WHO, Field surveys of exposure to pesticides, Standard protocol Geneva, Switzerland, WHO, VBC/1982.1.

Yalemtsehay Mekonnen, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Addis Ababa University, PO Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Email: yalemtsehay@yahoo.com.
Tadesse Agonafir, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, PO Box 34738, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 55, March 2002, page 15]