Accidents and occupational diseases in the footwear industry of Franca-SP

Author(s)

Dathiê de Mello Franco Benatti

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2011-09-02

Examining board members

Vera Lucia Navarro; Francisco Antonio de Castro Lacaz; Maria Helena Palucci Marziale

• Advisor: Vera Lucia Navarro

Abstract

The labor world is currently experiencing a remarkable technological advance characterized by the introduction of modern technologies, accelerated automation, which results in new ways of work rationalization and organization and the increase of workforce exploration. This process was marked by a productive restructuring which resulted in the work being more intensive and precarious, thus affecting work relations and conditions. The footwear sector, known for its huge capacity of generating new work positions, was also affected by these changes, resulting in a consequential damage of the workers health. Having these aforementioned transformations as backdrop, this research has as its purpose investigate how the footwear workers of Franca (SP) get injured and ill and analyze the consequences these injuries and illnesses bring into their lives both in the workplace and their private lives. The research has a qualitative approach and gathers data through personal interviews. A total of 20 workers, including 15 women and five men, were interviewed. A health professional and two Footwear Industry Union representatives were also interviewed. The workers were contacted through their Union. The Union has also provided the Work Accident Reports (CATs) which were used as source of information. The results showed that working in the footwear production has been a source of hazards to the workers health. The data allowed the research to relate accidents and illnesses suffered by workers to the working conditions and organizations to which they are submitted. The main complaints were: RSI repetitive strain injuries, wounds, amputation of members (hands, fingers, forearms and arms), backaches, stress, depression, anxiety, sadness and grief. They have also demonstrated being dissatisfied with their jobs and feeling undervalued. The data also revealed how occupational accidents and illnesses episodes affected the workers lives. The violence experienced by workers is not enclosed in the accident itself and the circumstances in which it happened, it is extended through a long treatment/healing process and also by the institutional path which must be followed in order to establish a connection between the accident and/or illness to the work. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/03822-6 - Accidents and occupational diseases in the footwear industry of Franca-SP
• Grantee: Dathiê de Mello Franco-Benatti
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master