The informal work of surfboard makers: an analysis of health and work conditions

Resumen

The informal work has been an option for thousands of Brazilians, which look for alternatives to continue to guarantee the subsistence of his own and family. When they migrate to informal sector usually do it without knowing the physical and ergonomic risks of this. The purposes of this study were: 1) to describe the profile of surfboard makers (who were owner of the business, and were on informality for at least two years); 2) to analyze de real work situation (physical and organizational environment), and 3) to identify possible ergonomic risks. For data collection an questionnaire, interview and ergonomic analysis of the work (EAW) were used, according instructions of Laboratory of Ergonomics and Work’s Studies at Federal University of Santa Catarina. Nine surfboard makers from Florianópolis city, Santa Catarina State, composed the sample. The principal results appear for shapers whole men, with time in this occupation among 4,7 to 24,9 years. Almost all were surf athletes, but they were still practicing of the modality in a recreational way. In the requirement health just one of them visited the doctor; and two shapers had to stand back of the work due to accident in the work. In the requirement work conditions the noise showed to be the principal physical risk in the studied places.