ABSTRACT
Background: The ongoing industrial and infrastructural development in Saudi Arabia carries a high risk of occupational injuries/diseases.
Aims: To compare trends in occupational injuries and diseases among Saudi and non-Saudi insured workers.
Methods: We used the index values method and slope [S] calculation to analyse the occupational injuries/diseases trends from data in the annual statistical reports published by the General Organization for Social Insurance between 2004 and 2014. Data for 10 565 993 [18.5%] Saudi insured workers [SIWs] and 46 402 079 [81.5%] non-Saudi insured workers [NSIWs] and 896 627 occupational injuries/diseases were analysed.
Results: The distribution of incidences of occupational injuries/diseases among NSIWs [93.5%] was 14 times higher than that of SIWs [6.5%]. Occupational injuries/diseases were more likely to increase among NSIWs than SIWs, particularly in the construction, trade, financing and real estate economic activities, and engineering, technicians and service workers occupations. There was a general decreasing trend in occupational injuries/diseases until 2013.
Conclusions: Non-Saudi insured workers were at high risk of occupational injuries/diseases, therefore, implementation of an effective injury prevention programme is required.