Association between working conditions and occupational exposure in rural agricultural workers in Montería, Colombia

Abstract

The objective of this research was to analyze the relationship between working conditions and risk exposure derived from agricultural activity in rural workers in Montería, Colombia, through a correlational, descriptive, analytical study developed with 233 workers during the year 2025. The study subjects were selected by simple random sampling per household, with a confidence level of 95% and 5% error. The data were obtained through a survey and analyzed with the chi-square test, for the integral measurement of the associations between variables, a multiple correspondence analysis was used and the workers were grouped through a cluster analysis. The results showed three clusters and/or typologies of agricultural workers as follows: 1) workers with precarious working conditions who use low-toxicity agrochemicals 2) workers with better material conditions (access to water, rest place, PPE), low economic income, greater occupational burden and handling of highly toxic substances, and 3)  minority group of workers with greater labor formality and access to social protection (health, pension and ARL) with the management of  moderately toxic agrochemicals.The findings revealed that working conditions and risk exposure in the agricultural sector are not homogeneous, but respond to differentiated work configurations, associated with the interaction between labor informality, type of activity, working conditions, and social security. In conclusion, the need to strengthen public policies and intersectoral interventions with contextualized differentiating perspectives that promote dignified, safe and equitable jobs  is externalized.