Occupational risks perceived by rural workers in panela production in the municipality of Nariño, Antioquia

Objective: To understand the occupational risks perceived by rural workers in panela production in the municipality of Nariño, Antioquia. Methods: Descriptive study with a qualitative approach based on the theoretical concepts of Blumer's symbolic interactionism; the research method and design follow Corbin and Strauss' grounded theory; and the Colombian Technical Guide 45 of Icontec was used for hazard classification. Convenience and snowball sampling were used, until theoretical sampling was reached, with 13 participants. The information collected through interviews, observation and photovoice exercises was transcribed and analyzed by applying open, axial and selective coding; then, from the descriptive, analytical, and interpretative categories that were generated a substantive theory was developed. The duration of the study was nine months, between December 2021 and September 2022. Results: The people who work in panela production do perceive and recognize the risks to which they are exposed in their work. However, panela producers face such risks because of the economic income received and the need for subsistence. Moreover, women work both directly in the mill and indirectly in household chores and food preparation for their family and mill operators, which increases their workload. Conclusion: There is a relationship between panela production work, even with exposure to high occupational risks, and the economic income obtained for livelihood, as well as with a greater workload for women. From an occupational health and safety perspective, a reflection on the relationship between the execution of risky work activities and the monetary income received is required in order to propose the adoption of preventive measures.