8290835 Occupational disability in the sugarcane agroindustry in Brazil: a comparative study between manual and mechanized labor (2012–2021)

<h3>Objective</h3> To analyze the incidence and characteristics of temporary disability benefits among workers in the Brazilian sugarcane agroindustry, comparing manual and mechanized labor processes. <h3>Methods</h3> This ecological study analyzed secondary data from 2012 to 2021. Formal labor data were obtained from the Annual Social Information Report (RAIS) database, and data on social security benefits were sourced from the Smartlab platform. Workers were categorized into two groups: manual laborers (e.g., sugarcane field workers) and mechanized workers (e.g., machine operators). The incidence rates of temporary disability benefits (B31 – non-work-related and B91 – work-related) were calculated. Relative risk (RR) was used to compare groups, and causes of disability were classified using ICD-10. <h3>Results</h3> During the period, 70,339 temporary disability benefits were granted in the sector, 75% to manual workers and 25% to mechanized ones. The average annual incidence was 28.8 per 1,000 for manual labor and 25.3 per 1,000 for mechanized labor. The overall RR for disability was 1.14, indicating a 14% higher risk for manual workers. The B91-specific RR was 1.71. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) were more prevalent among manual workers, accounting for 33.7% of cases vs. 24.6% among mechanized workers. Among B91 cases, dorsalgia (M54) was the leading cause in manual workers (19%), while wrist/hand fractures (S62) predominated in mechanized roles (13%). Three of the five leading B91 causes in manual workers were MSDs, compared to only one in mechanized jobs. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Despite a general decline in benefit concessions, significant inequalities remain. Manual workers face a higher burden of MSDs, while mechanized workers are more affected by severe traumatic injuries. The persistent high incidence of work-related benefits underscores the link between job conditions and health outcomes. Addressing these disparities requires stronger enforcement of labor standards, broader application of NR-31, enhanced training and safety measures, and policies tailored to the realities of rural labor in Brazil’s sugarcane sector.