A scoping review of occupational hazards and health problems among artisans in low- and middle-income countries

Abstract

Artisans form a significant part of the informal workforce in many low and middle-income countries. Their work supports local economies, reduces unemployment, and provides services that are often unavailable in the formal sector. Despite their importance, evidence from multiple studies indicates that most artisans work without any formal contracts, lack access to social protection, or operate with minimal or no regulatory oversight. This situation exposes them to unsafe and unpredictable working environments. This review identifies and assesses existing research to provide a clear understanding of the types and severity of hazards faced by different artisan groups. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guideline, a thorough literature search was conducted across different databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and JSTOR) for articles published between 2010 and 2025. The review included peer-reviewed studies that assess Occupational Hazards/Exposure and Health Problems among artisans in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 48 studies were selected for detailed analysis. The analysis revealed 13 occupational categories from 56 entries concentrated in labor-intensive, manually operated tools, and mainly susceptible to obvious physical and chemical hazards. Physical hazards were most frequently reported, while psychological and environmental exposures were often combined with other types of hazards, in line with our study categorization. All the health problems reported revealed a significant alignment between the categorized hazards and the nature of health problems. Respiratory health problems are synonymous with artisans exposed to chemical hazards and particulates, such as dust and fumes. Musculoskeletal disorders are a syndrome among artisans operating in the textile, manufacturing, and construction industries. The review indicates that the health challenges are intensified by broader structural constraints, including weak enforcement of safety regulations, limited access to personal protective equipment, unsafe working environments, inadequate occupational health education, poverty, and restricted access to healthcare and social protection.