Occupational Health and safety management in Olive Oil Mills

Abstract

This paper aims at examining the occupational accident rate, and OHS Management, in the olive oil mill industry in Spain. Our study analyses all occupational accidents which occurred during 2004-2009, with or without sick leave, at 90 Andalusian olive oil mills. Besides, after visits, inspections and interviews carried out in three olive oil mills, we design a pilot questionnaire, and interview 34 olive oil mills, then we drew up a questionnaire to 150 more with the collaboration of the Labor Authority, during the two-year research period, 2009–2010. Regarding the results, according to the Specific Physical Activity (onwards SPA), 33.78% took place when the worker was walking, running, going up or down, etc. In relation to the material agent associated with SPA, highlights the stairs and surfaces in general (20%). Regard to the deviation from the normal performance of the SPA we obtained: fall from height (12.16%) and fall (15%). The most frequent injuries were sprains, twists, luxations and subluxations (29%). As for the description of the circumstances of the injury or wound, we obtained overexertion and excessive physical effort (25%), crashing onto or against something as a result of a fall on the part of the worker (22%). The main characteristic of this industry are: fluctuations in activity and staff throughout the year, changes in shifts work, the widespread use of extraction systems continuous and the high level of noise generated and the lack of order and cleaning. Three quarters of the companies have someone in charge of liaising with the outsourced prevention services, in most cases an administrative clerk. Most of the olive oil mills have an Occupational Risk Prevention Plan. However, management policies fail to meet some important requirements adequately, such as those concerning noise exposure risk, emergency measures, etc.