[Occupational hazards in the Moroccan craft sector and proposal for occupational health services]

Abstract

The absence of occupational health services, the numerous occupational hazards and the high number of people working in the handicraft sector have sparked this study. Descriptive, cross-sectional epidemiological studies were carried out throughout 1996 for different artisan activities: iron-work, jewellery making, rug making, tannery, "zellige", pottery, and woodworking. The study included 449 artisans and consisted of an analysis of work conditions, a medico-social questionnaire, a clinical examination and among certain artisans, a biological check-up, a respiratory check-up (thoracic x-ray and lung function testing), and a toxicological check-up. Poor work conditions and the absence of any technical protection (collective or individual) are common to all the workshops visited. Multiple risks as well as various and frequent pathologies were observed for all the artisan activities. The most common ailments are those linked to posture and musculo-skeletal problems (67.6%), oral (58.2%), ocular (46.9%), dermatological (35.7%), ear/nose/throat (35.3%), respiratory (31.1%), digestive (21.1%) and neurological (20.7%). Often the same artisan showed several simultaneous conditions linked to work. The legislative texts related to occupational health and safety are many and dispersed, and would profit by being updated and regrouped within a work code which would make them easier to consult and would allow all partners in the social sector to get to know them. In addition, this legislation which has been strengthened, is unfortunately not enforced. We should support every initiative focused on developing the prevention of occupational hazards and the spirit of safety within artisan workshops. The concern for occupational risks within the artisan milieu owes its importance to their abundance, the diversity of the professions involved, and the number of different risks to which artisans are exposed. The role of a worksite doctor is therefore considerable, and his field of intervention in this milieu is vast. The broader goal of occupational health services is to protect and improve the physical, mental, and social well-being of its workers; it is natural that these services should give more attention to general health promotion (vaccinations, health education...). Given that the artisan sector is organised around its structures of production, it seems urgent to introduce medical coverage and to improve health and safety conditions within the sector.