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Asiedu MT, Opoku DA, Ayisi-Boateng NK, Osarfo J, Sulemana A, Mohammed A, Amissah J, Ashilevi J, Mate-Kole A, Opoku FA, Yankson IK, Nakua EK. Prevalence and associated factors of occupational injuries in an industrial city in Ghana. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301339. [PMID: 38547303 PMCID: PMC10977681 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Workers are exposed to workplace hazards which increase their risk of occupational injury. Data on occupational injuries and associated factors are important for planning and informing national policy regarding workplace health and safety. This study sought to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with occupational injuries among workers in an industrial city in Ghana. METHODS A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 459 workers in the Tema industrial enclave in Ghana from 22nd December 2020 to 27th February 2021. Participants were recruited using a two-stage sampling technique. Eight communities were randomly selected from twenty-five communities in the first stage while households in each community were randomly selected in the second stage. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, occupational health and safety and occupational injuries were collected. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between occupational injuries and associated factors. RESULTS The mean age of the workers was 33.9 (±6.8) years with a range of 21-53 while over 18.1% of them were working at the Port and Harbour. The prevalence of occupational injury among the workers in the preceding twelve months was 64.7%. The mechanism of injury was mainly the use of working tools (45.8%) and hot surfaces, substances or chemicals (14.1%). Being a casual staff (AOR: 2.26, 95%CI: 1.04-4.92), working at Port and Harbour (AOR: 3.77, 95%CI: 1.70-8.39), no health and safety training (AOR: 2.18, 95%CI: 1.08-4.39), dissatisfaction with health and safety measures (AOR: 4.31, 95%CI: 2.12-8.78) and tertiary education (AOR: 0.03, 95%CI: 0.01-0.10) were significantly associated with occupational injuries. CONCLUSION The prevalence of occupational injuries in this study was high. Promoting machine tools' safety, health and safety training, and satisfaction with health and safety measures through rewarding workers who do not sustain injuries could be key to employees' health and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Tetteh Asiedu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Douglas Aninng Opoku
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Allen Clinic, Family Healthcare Services, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Nana Kwame Ayisi-Boateng
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- University Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Joseph Osarfo
- Department of Community Health, School of Medicine, University of Health and Allied Health Science, Ho, Ghana
| | - Alhassan Sulemana
- Department of Environmental Science, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Aliyu Mohammed
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - John Amissah
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Jennifer Ashilevi
- University Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Ayongo Mate-Kole
- Family Medicine Sub BMC, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
| | - Felix Agyemang Opoku
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Isaac Kofi Yankson
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Building and Road Research Institute, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Emmanuel Kweku Nakua
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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Fraeyman N, De Bacquer D, Fiers T, Godderis L, Verhaeghe R, Eeckloo K, Gemmel P, Viaene L, Mortier E. Body mass index and occupational accidents among health care workers in a large university hospital. Acta Clin Belg 2023; 78:128-134. [PMID: 35703157 DOI: 10.1080/17843286.2022.2084936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Obesity is associated with a number of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancers. The association of obesity with occupational accidents has been suggested although the evidence is less convincing. The objective of the study is to analyse the relationship between BMI values and ergonomic accidents in a large University Hospital. METHODS The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the incidence of ergonomic occupational accidents over a period of 8 years was investigated in a cohort of employees of a large University Hospital, covering almost 27,000 person-years of observation. This relationship was stratified according to the variables age, gender, functional status within the organization and work schedule (part-time or full time). Height and weight were objectively measured, demographic data were obtained from the human resource department and the registration of ergonomic accidents was carried out by the safety and prevention department of the hospital. RESULTS The number of ergonomic accidents, expressed as number/1000 person-years was higher for female employees compared to male employees, increased with age and markedly increased from functional class A (leading or expert function and higher educational level) to D (executive function in patient care and technical department). However, the incidence of ergonomic accidents accompanied by loss of working time was not significantly associated with BMI, independently of age and gender. In addition, the type of accident and the severity of the accidents expressed as the number of days absent from work were unrelated to BMI. CONCLUSION No independent relationship between BMI and the incidence of ergonomic accidents could be identified in our cohort. Tailoring working conditions to individual BMI levels is not recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Fraeyman
- Environmental Department [Milieudienst], University Hospital, Gent University, Gent, Belgium.,Central Administration, Secretariat of the Board of Governors, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Hospital, Gent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - D De Bacquer
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Gent University, Gent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium
| | - T Fiers
- Clinical Chemistry Laboratory, Gent University Hospital, Gent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - L Godderis
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, Leuven University, University Hospital Leuven, Gasthuisberg Campus, Leuven, Belgium
| | - R Verhaeghe
- Central Administration, Secretariat of the Board of Governors, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Hospital, Gent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - K Eeckloo
- Central Administration, Secretariat of the Board of Governors, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Hospital, Gent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - P Gemmel
- University Ghent, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Gent, Belgium
| | - L Viaene
- Safety Department [Preventiedienst], University Hospital, Gent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - E Mortier
- Central Administration, Secretariat of the Board of Governors, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Hospital, Gent University, Gent, Belgium
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Tian T, Lin X, Huang T, Zhang K, Shi C, Wang P, Chen S, Guo T, Li Z, Qin P, Liang B, Zhang W, Hao Y. The risk of injuries during work and its association with precipitation: New insight from a sentinel-based surveillance and a case-crossover design. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1117948. [PMID: 36935708 PMCID: PMC10018157 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1117948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Injuries during work are often exogenous and can be easily influenced by environmental factors, especially weather conditions. Precipitation, a crucial weather factor, has been linked to unintentional injuries, yet evidence of its effect on work-related injuries is limited. Therefore, we aimed to clarify the impact of precipitation on injuries during work as well as its variation across numerous vulnerability features. Methods Records on the work-related injury during 2016-2020 were obtained from four sentinel hospitals in Guangzhou, China, and were matched with the daily weather data during the same period. We applied a time-stratified case-crossover design followed by a conditional logistic regression to evaluate the association between precipitation and work-related injuries. Covariates included wind speed, sunlight, temperature, SO 2, NO 2, and PM 2.5. Results were also stratified by multiple factors to identify the most vulnerable subgroups. Results Daily precipitation was a positive predictor of work-related injuries, with each 10 mm increase in precipitation being associated with an increase of 1.57% in the rate of injuries on the same day and 1.47-1.14% increase of injuries on subsequent 3 days. The results revealed that precipitation had a higher effect on work-related injuries in winter (4.92%; 95%CI: 1.77-8.17%). The elderly (2.07%; 95%CI: 0.64-3.51%), male (1.81%; 95%CI: 0.96-2.66%) workers or those with lower educational levels (2.58%; 95%CI: 1.59-3.54%) were more likely to suffer from injuries on rainy days. There was a higher risk for work-related injuries caused by falls (2.63%; 95%CI: 0.78-4.52%) or the use of glass products (1.75%; 95%CI: 0.49-3.02%) on rainy days. Conclusions Precipitation was a prominent risk factor for work-related injury, and its adverse effect might endure for 3 days. Certain sub-groups of workers were more vulnerable to injuries in the rain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Tian
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Medicine, Department of Medical Statistics, Center for Health Information Research, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao Lin
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Medicine, Department of Medical Statistics, Center for Health Information Research, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Tingyuan Huang
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, The State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, United States
| | - Congxing Shi
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Medicine, Department of Medical Statistics, Center for Health Information Research, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Pengyu Wang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Medicine, Department of Medical Statistics, Center for Health Information Research, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shimin Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Medicine, Department of Medical Statistics, Center for Health Information Research, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Tong Guo
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Medicine, Department of Medical Statistics, Center for Health Information Research, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhiqiang Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Medicine, Department of Medical Statistics, Center for Health Information Research, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Pengzhe Qin
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Boheng Liang
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- *Correspondence: Boheng Liang
| | - Wangjian Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Medicine, Department of Medical Statistics, Center for Health Information Research, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Wangjian Zhang
| | - Yuantao Hao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Medicine, Department of Medical Statistics, Center for Health Information Research, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Sun Yat-sen Global Health Institute, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Peking University Center for Public Health and Epidemic Preparedness and Response, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Yuantao Hao
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Meta-analytic study on substance intake and work-related accidents calls for attention to bio-psycho-social factors. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 144:104987. [PMID: 36470326 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
Accidents at work are a major concern because of their social and economic impact. The causes are highly variable and often linked to risk behaviors that could be avoided, of which substance use is a prime example. The aim of this paper was to meta-analytically review the scientific literature on substance intake and its link to work-related accidents. From an initial pool of 19954 papers, we considered a final sample of 27 clustered in three groups according to substances class (alcohol, recreational drugs, medicines). Despite different pharmacological effects, substances consumed for recreational purposes significantly increased the risk of work-related accidents (odds ratio: alcohol 1.78, recreational drugs 1.47), whereas medicines did not: however, these results require caution due to the heterogeneity of the included studies and suspected publication bias. While bio-psycho-social factors could have helped to understand this association, selected studies neglected both the variegated effects and the root causes of recreational substance consumption. Future studies and interventions should consider these complexity factors to transcend the mere description of the phenomenon.
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Factors contributing to occupational injuries among workers in the construction, manufacturing, and mining industries in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Public Health Policy 2022; 43:487-502. [DOI: 10.1057/s41271-022-00378-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Karuppiah K, Sankaranarayanan B, Ali SM. A fuzzy ANP-DEMATEL model on faulty behavior risks: implications for improving safety in the workplace. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND ERGONOMICS 2022; 28:923-940. [PMID: 33161884 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2020.1847486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The occurrence of occupational accidents and injuries has always been a major concern for industrial management. Such undesirable incidences are higher in developing countries, especially in India, than in developed countries. This research aims to identify, analyze and evaluate the faulty behavior risks (FBRs) that trigger occupational accidents and injuries. Using a data triangulation strategy, this study identified 19 FBR factors under five categories. An integrated approach comprising the fuzzy analytic network process (ANP) and the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method is proposed for assessing these FBRs. The five most prominent critical risk factors are the absence of continuous monitoring, defective equipment and maintenance, cognitive bias, proper signage and adverse ambient working conditions. The study postulates some implications for industrial management to mitigate occupational accidents and injuries based on the outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koppiahraj Karuppiah
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, India
| | | | - Syed Mithun Ali
- Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh
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Cil M, Gedik T. Research on factors affecting the risk-taking behavior of personnel working in the forest products sector. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND ERGONOMICS 2021; 28:2315-2323. [PMID: 34704531 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2021.1992175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Objectives. The fact that occupational accidents are a permanent problem in the forest products sector encouraged this research to be conducted on the factors affecting the risk-taking behavior (RTB) of employees in the sector. Understanding the RTB of employees in the sector would help managers to reduce occupational accidents and to develop effective safety interventions. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects of individual, organizational and workplace factors and sub-factors on the RTB of employees by using the structural equation model (SEM). Methods. A survey was conducted on 623 employees of the forest products sector in 64 enterprises in the provinces of Düzce, Bolu, Sakarya, Kocaeli and Yalova. Results. The results revealed that organizational and workplace factors had a significant effect on the RTB of the employees. However, no effect was found for individual factors, although the sub-factor of cognitive bias had a positive impact on RTB. In contrast, safety climate, safety training, use of personal protective equipment (PPE)-1 and working conditions negatively impacted the RTB of the employees. Conclusions. In terms of occupational health and safety, this study could serve to guide both sector managers and decision-makers on ways to improve the safety perception of their employees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammet Cil
- Department of Forest Industry Engineering, Düzce University, Düzce, Turkey
| | - Tarik Gedik
- Department of Forest Industry Engineering, Düzce University, Düzce, Turkey
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Borgheipour H, Eskandari D, Barkhordari A, Mavaji M, Tehrani GM. Predicting the relationship between safety climate and safety performance in cement industry. Work 2020; 66:109-117. [PMID: 32417818 DOI: 10.3233/wor-203155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As cement industries have remarkably affected the economy of producer's countries, one of the main concerns of these industries is to prevent accidents and related costs. OBJECTIVE The present study investigates the relationship between the safety climate and safety performance with the moderating role of safety knowledge and the mediating role of safety motivation in the cement industry. METHODS Data were collected from 230 Iranian employees of the cement industry using a safety climate and performance questionnaire. The relationships between variables and analysis of the collected data were tested using structural equation modeling. RESULTS The results indicated that the safety climate had a positive effect on safety performance in the cement industry. Moreover, management's commitment to safety was positively or negatively related to the social support and production pressure. There was either a positive and negative relationship between social support and production pressure of safety knowledge and safety motivation, respectively. CONCLUSION The integrative model suggested that it was important to promote the safety knowledge at all organizational levels to develop spontaneous activities and raise safety in the intended organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasti Borgheipour
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Teheran, Iran
| | - Davood Eskandari
- Department of Occupational Health and Safety, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdullah Barkhordari
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
| | - Maedeh Mavaji
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Teheran, Iran
| | - Ghazaleh Monazami Tehrani
- Department of Health Safety and Environmental, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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