Risk Assessment and Action Protocol for Victims of Occupational Accidents at the Flor de Azama Farm, located in Otavalo, Ecuador.

Abstract

The article analyzes the assessment of occupational risks and the design of an action protocol for victims of workplace accidents at the Flor de Azama flower farm, located in Otavalo, Ecuador. Its main purpose is to strengthen occupational safety and health management through the systematic identification of hazards, risk assessment, and the structuring of clear procedures for responding to workplace emergencies. The study adopts a descriptive approach, supported by documentary review, regulatory analysis, and direct observation of real working conditions in the different operational areas of the farm. The results show that floriculture exposes workers to multiple physical, chemical, ergonomic, and psychosocial risks, whose intensity varies according to the area and the specific tasks performed. Critical factors identified include ground conditions, infrastructure, machinery use, handling of agrochemicals, and repetitive tasks typical of cultivation and postharvest processes. In addition, activities with higher levels of vulnerability are identified, such as maintenance work, pesticide spraying, work at heights, and repetitive manual operations, allowing preventive actions to be prioritized according to risk level. The study demonstrates that implementing accident response protocols that include basic first aid, emergency routes, victim transportation, and communication and recordkeeping systems significantly reduces injury severity and improves response times. Finally, it concludes that continuous improvement in occupational safety is reinforced through internal and external audits and certifications such as SMETA, BASC, Flor Ecuador, and Rainforest Alliance, which promote regulatory compliance, preventive culture, organizational sustainability, and the overall protection of workers’ health and well-being within agricultural production systems in developing rural contexts.