Retrospective study on industrial accidents in Amirya petroleum refinery company over ten years 1980-1989

ABSTRACT

A retrospective study of industrial accidents was conducted during the period 1980-1989 in Amirya Petroleum Retinering Company [A.P.R.C.] in Alexandria to determine the incidence and causes of industrial accidents and also to determine the type of injuries among the injured workers. Data were collected from the monthly records of A.P.R.C., Ministry of Health Hospitals, Alexandria University Hospitals and Health Insurance Injury Centre. The total number of workers was 33447 during the period of study and the total number of injured workers was 764. The study revealed that 63% of accidents occurred in the plant and 23.7% in workshop department in A.P.R.C. The highest prevalence of accidents in injured workers could be attributed to certain characteristics 63.4% presented with age below 35 years, 68.8% with job duration less than 10 years, 32.6% were holding basic education or less, 42% were single, 41.8% were working with work shift and diabetes mellitus was the commonest non-occupational disease among the injured workers. Study of factors precipitating industrial accidents revealed that workers in workshop department showed the highest A.F.R. [15.7 per one million man-worked hours] and A.S.R. [1035.5 per one million man-worked hours]. Falling or flying objects [30.8%] and falls and slips [25.9%] represented the main causes of injuries; 30% of accidents occurred due to unsafe circumstances; and more than 70% of accidents occurred as a result of unsafe act of the workers. Injuries of the upper limb [35%] and lower limb [28%J represented the commonest injury sites among injured workers specially wounds [26%], contusions [24%] and burns [19%]. The medical department of A.P.R.C. offered first aid services to 80.4% of injured workers, and the main types of first aid were dressing [45.9%] and bandage [18.7%]. Disability occurred in 5.4% of injured workers, specially in the upper and lower limbs and four deaths occurred in the period of the study. In addition, 719 injured workers completely recovered without any residual effect