Industrial accidents in Sharkia governorate; an epidemiological study

ABSTRACT

This study has been carried out on 215 accidents-involved workers, enlisted from the accident records in 8 industries during the period [1998-2000], and a control group of 215 workers. All workers were males. The study aimed at evaluation of the magnitude of industrial accident problem, reorganization of the types and causes of accidents, types and sites of injuries and the human factors that increase the vulnerability to industrial accidents. A pre-structured questionnaire sheet was used to inquire about the personal, occupational and medical histories. Eysenck personality inventory was also used to assess the personality on scales of neuroticism and extroversion. The number of accidents was 312, accident Incidence rate was 56.8/ thousand, and accident frequency rate was 7.53/million. The highest accident incidence and frequency rates were in the foundries, the oil and soap plant and the ginning mill, while the lowest were in the flour mill and the spinning and weaving mill. The number of accidents-involved workers was 215[4%]; out of them 146[2.7%] were l-accident workers, 41 [0.8%] were 2- accident workers and 28[0.5%] were 3-accident workers, the latter 2 groups were the accident repeaters [69 workers, 1.3%]. Types of accidents were; striking object [37.8%], slipping and falling [28.5%], flying object [22.8%], trapping between objects [3.9%], falling object [3.5%] and fire and explosion [3.5%]. Causes of accidents were omission of protective measures [31.7%], fatigue and absent mindedness [28.9%], lack of experience [20.8%], lack of maintenance [11.9%] and slippery floor [6.7%]. Sites of injury were; the upper limb [39.8%], the lower limb [27.2%], the head and neck [15.4%], the trunk [9.6%] and the eyes [8%]. Types of injury were; wounds [67%], fractures and sprains [19.9%], burns [9%] and amputations [4.1%]. Human factors that increase the vulnerability to accidents were young age, illiteracy, smoking habit, existence of social problems, suffering chronic diseases and neurotic personality. Industrial accidents can be minimized but can not be prevented due to the human factors that have not been adequately identified. Organizing national initiatives for eradication of illiteracy, encouraging the stopping of smoking, management of chronic physical illnesses and providing socio-economic aids. Young workers must be under supervision and undergo education and training