A recent study provides critical and needed insights into the working conditions, heat stress, workload intensity and pesticide exposure faced by subcontracted sugarcane cutters and pesticide applicators on smallholder farms in Eswatini.
Sugarcane farming is essential to many economies, yet workers face significant occupational hazards such as heat stress and pesticide exposure. This study details work conditions in small-scale sugarcane production in Eswatini. So far, most sugarcane studies are conducted at large-scale mills, and there is very limited information from Africa.
Key findings revealed alarming exposure to heat stress, particularly among cane cutters, with an average maximum Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) of 83.5°F/28.6°C, significantly above the NIOSH recommended limit of 78.8°F/26°C for heavy workloads.
Applicators faced lower average WBGT (78.1°F/25.6°C) but experienced increased heat stress due to their impermeable protective clothing.
Researcher Sibusiso Msibi led the study, with support from researchers from La Isla Network, the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the University of Gothenburg and the University of Birmingham. Funding for the study was provided by La Isla Network and the Swedish Research Council.
Msibi said, “The study is important because it is the first to describe work practices and occupational exposures among subcontracted sugarcane workers on smallholder farms. Previous research has been conducted in large sugar mills. Additionally, this study contributes to the limited body of research in Africa that focuses on work practices and occupational exposures among seasonal and migrant agricultural laborers.
The study, published in the International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, involved 392 male workers (267 sugarcane cutters and 125 pesticide applicators), predominantly Eswatini nationals. Sugarcane cutters endured heavy manual labor from early morning until midday, averaging three to seven hours daily, without scheduled rest breaks or shade. In contrast, pesticide applicators started early but generally completed their tasks by mid-morning, applying pesticides using backpack sprayers.
Workers’ hydration was notably inadequate, with cutters consuming just 1.5 liters of water per day, far below the recommended levels for their demanding workload. Musculoskeletal risks were extremely high due to repetitive, strenuous motions among cutters, while pesticide applicators experienced moderate workload intensity, with heart rates averaging 58% of their maximum. Alarmingly, 11% of pesticide applicators’ shifts were spent at estimated core body temperatures exceeding the recommended safe limit of 100.4°F/38°C, indicating significant heat strain.
Pesticide safety practices were also concerning, with limited personal protective equipment (PPE) provision. Only 4% had air respirators and 21% wore chemical-resistant suits, significantly increasing exposure risks.
The study underscores the urgent need for occupational health interventions, recommending structured rest periods, adequate hydration facilities, and shaded rest areas. Enhancing PPE provision and safety training is crucial for pesticide applicators. Without these measures, workers remain at high risk for chronic health issues such as kidney injury and musculoskeletal disorders.
Effective policies and workplace interventions, like structured “rest-shade-hydration” programs, should be urgently implemented to sustainably protect agricultural workers, improve working conditions, and enhance productivity in sugarcane farming.
Importantly, the research highlights the complexities arising from subcontracting and fragmented organizational responsibilities. Unlike previous studies on cane cutters directly employed by large mills or subcontracted under a single large entity with clear OSH responsibilities, this study captures the unique challenges faced by cooperatives hiring contractors for harvesting tasks. These contractors then employ the sugarcane cutters, while pesticide applicators are directly employed by the cooperative. This fragmented arrangement results in unclear and subdivided responsibilities for occupational safety and health, making practical implementation of OSH measures more challenging.
This scenario, common in agriculture, construction, and other sectors, underscores the critical need for clearly defined OSH responsibilities and improved coordination among various stakeholders. Establishing transparent, enforceable OSH standards within fragmented contractual structures can significantly improve worker safety and welfare.
La Isla Network é uma organização de pesquisa e consultoria em saúde dedicada a acabar com lesões, doenças e mortes relacionadas ao calor entre trabalhadores em todo o mundo. Desenvolvemos intervenções de proteção ao trabalhador baseadas em dados e conduzimos o gerenciamento de mudanças, melhorando a resiliência das forças de trabalho e empresas à exposição ao calor. A LIN impulsiona mudanças duradouras trabalhando com governos e instituições multilaterais para informar e criar políticas. Para obter mais informações, use nosso formulário de contato.
