Occupational Hazard Exposures and Its Effect on the Mental Health Among Farmworkers at Maruleng Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa ^†

Background: Farmworkers are exposed to multiple occupational hazards from farm fields, machinery, and pesticides while performing their agricultural duties. These exposures often result in occupational injuries and illnesses, including leg and arm injuries, respiratory problems, and chemical poisoning. Furthermore, the unsafe working conditions may lead to mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression. The continued rise in occupational injuries and illnesses within the agricultural industry highlights significant shortcomings and inefficiencies in the implementation of effective preventative measures.

Objectives: This study explores occupational hazard exposures and its effect on mental health amongst farmworkers at Maruleng Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Methods: A qualitative research approach and a phenomenological research design were adopted. In-depth individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 farmworkers at Maruleng municipality, using an audio recorder with permission to record the interviews. The interviews were guided by a central question and followed by subsequent probing questions from the interview schedule. Content and thematic analysis was applied.

Results: The findings indicate that farmworkers at Maruleng farms are exposed to various occupational hazards, which include pesticides, machinery-related hazards, and noise from farm machinery. These hazards have led to incidents such as tractor rollovers, chemical poisoning, eye and leg injuries, as well as psychological strain due to unsafe working conditions amongst farmworkers. Contributing factors to these injuries and illnesses include negligence by farm owners in maintaining and servicing machinery, farmworkers disregarding established safety protocols, and the lack of adequate and appropriate personal protective equipment. Additionally, the study revealed a significant gap in support and access to mental health services for farmworkers, further exacerbating the impact of these occupational hazards.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that lack of farm machinery maintenance, negligence, lack of adequate and sufficient PPE, and lack of support and inaccessible mental health services compromise the health and safety of farmworkers in Maruleng municipality. There should be regular monitoring of working conditions at the farms in Maruleng municipality.