Identification of occupational hazards present in rice farming in the Municipality of Naic, Province of Cavite

Descriptive-quantitative was the research design of the study. The total number of respondents was 285 computed using on Slovin\u27s formula. Data was collected through interview with the use of survey-questionnaires that served as guide to facilitate structured data gathering. Frequency and percentage were used to interpret the data. Occupational hazards were identified based on two (2) general factors intrinsic and extrinsic. Under intrinsic factors, males as compared to females and who were also in the middle age group were more vulnerable to injuries; informal education also imposed risk for work-related hazards as different farming roles require specific level of skills and knowledge; years in farming (more than 15 years), longer working hours which are prevalent among male rice farmers and less than six hours of sleep spent at night contribute to work hazards among Naic rice farmers. Medical history presented that musculoskeletal disorders are the most prevalent among Naic farmers, primarily low back pain as awkward postures like stooping, squatting in longer work hours predisposed them to this medical condition. Vices tended not to pose significant hazard to Naic rice farmers as majority of them are non-smokers and non-drinkers. Findings on farming roles showed that most number of farmers were participating on crop management and exposed them to the use of different chemicals. Extrinsic factors include farm operations that despite the use of machinery, majority of the physically demanding job like land preparation, planting and harvesting remain manual which puts more occupational risk for farmers; exposure to chemicals showed that majority of the farmers are still using types II and III which are under warning and harmful and caution classifications respectively; use of protective clothing were less than 50% among Naic rice farmers which may cause hazards with regards to their exposure to farm chemicals and even contact with dangerous animals