*4.5. Impact of Workplace Accidents and Occupational Hazards in the Food-Handling Industry*

At this juncture, it is essential to understand how company size can influence the number of accidents. Thus, information was collected from a sample set of 25 companies in the sector (calculating the average over the years 2019 and 2018), where NA = number of accidents, TC = tons sold, and NW = number of workers. First, asimple correlation analysis of the variables (first panel of Table 4) was conducted. As shown, all variables are closely related. It is evident that the number of accidents is correlated with the trade total (r = 0.78) and the size of the business. This is to be expected, although it also indicates that a bigger company demands a higher level of organisation and greater control in order to reduce the NA. However, this has not been verified, as can be confirmed by looking at the correlation coefficient between NW and NA (0.94). Using ratios helps deepen the analysis. The *productivity index* (PI = TC/NW) and *incidence rate* (IR = NA/NW) are two variables used in the analysis. One might think that the company with the highest productivity (PI) would use the resources more intensively, thus affecting a larger NA, a hypothesis that is not supported by the data.

**Table 4.** Correlation between variables.


Sample of 25 companies. Source: Compiled by the authors.

The companies studied employ approximately 40% of the total number of women who work in the food-handling sector of the three main areas: La Cañada, Campo de Níjar, and Campo de Dalías.

According to data from the Andalusian Regional Government's occupational-risk prevention service, there has been a considerable decrease in the incidence rate over the last five years (Table 5).


<sup>1</sup> The firms represented are all social enterprises and fall into two categories: cooperatives and agricultural transformation societies. Accidents without sick leave are included. Source: [29].

> The average accident rate for the period 2000–2014 was 26 accidents per company, and the incidence rate was almost 20%. In contrast, the period 2015–2019 was characterised by a decrease in both rates, with the average number of accidents per company falling to 23 and the average rate of incidents decreasing to 16.76%. Therefore, the period 2015–2019 evinced the efforts made to increase the occupational safety of workers.

> An analysis of women's empowerment and job satisfaction should include an understanding of the degree of risk involved in their work. The workplace incidents with the highest index of danger are overexertion and falling objects. (Table 6).

**Table 6.** Main position and risk analysis.


Most of the injuries suffered by women are specific to the lower and upper limbs (Figure 5).

To understand the recent improvements in the workplace, it is important to consider that the fruit- and vegetable-handling companies are applying the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), as well as occupational-risk prevention. This widespread use is due, among other reasons, to the market (customers), which demands their application. It is an excellent example of private initiatives demanding stricter limits that have surpassed public regulatory capacities.

**Figure 5.** Accidents according to the anatomical region of the body affected, 2019. Source: Compiled by the authors.
