Incidence and time trend of occupational accidents in the textile and clothing industry: analysis of Santa Catarina, Brazil, between 2008 and 2017

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the incidence and time trend of typical work accidents in the textile and clothing industry in Santa Catarina from 2008 to 2017.

METHODS

This was a retrospective epidemiological study based on data from the Annual Social Information Report (RAIS). The time trend was analyzed by calculating the average annual change and logistic regression.

RESULTS

There was a downward trend in the incidence of occupational accidents in Santa Catarina during the period studied (8.8%). The highest incidence occurred in 2008 among men (12.6%), workers aged between 40 and 49 years (6.7%), black people (7.4%), people with less than 12 years of education (5.0%), with an average income of 3 to 7 minimum wages (7.0%), with up to 4 years of employment (6.9%), workers in the manufacture of textile products (10, 3%), medium-sized establishments (that is, between 100 and 499 workers; 7.9%) and in the regions of Greater Florianópolis (7.0%) and Vale do Itajaí (6.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

The risk for typical occupational accidents dropped significantly over the period studied. However, future studies are needed to analyze new relationships that may point to other associated factors. It is hoped that this study can contribute to support measures for the prevention, promotion, protection and rehabilitation of the health of workers in this production sector.

Occupational and non occupational metacarpal bone fractures at the Mansoura University Emergency Hospital: A comparative study

INTRODUCTION

Metacarpal fractures of the hand occur in active and working population.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this article is to compare between occupational and non occupational metacarpal fractures.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional comparative study with prospective components among patients with metacarpal fractures admitted to the Mansoura University Emergency Hospital in a 6-month period. Data were collected using a questionnaire that included personal and occupational histories and accident analysis. Clinical and radiological assessment of healing was done by DASH score and handgrip strength. Disability was estimated according to the Egyptian Labour Law.

RESULTS

Of 149 patients, 56.4% and 43.6% were occupational and non occupational metacarpal fractures, respectively. The independent predictors of occupational metacarpal fracture are less than secondary education (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.2 (2-8.4)), being married (AOR = 4.2 (2.1-8.5)), and being a male (AOR = 7 (2.5-20)).

CONCLUSIONS

Lower education, being married, and being a male are risk factors of occupational metacarpal fractures. Surgery showed better hand function than conservative management.

Awareness and Utilization of Welders' Personal Protective Eye Devices and Associated Factors: Findings and Lessons From a Nigerian Population

This study assessed commercial welders' awareness and utilization of personal protective eye devices (PPEDs), and their associations, in Enugu, Nigeria, between January and March, 2011. The participants included 343 males, age 33.9 years±10.0 SD years. The participants reported high awareness of welding-associated ocular hazards (99.4%) and PPEDs (75.2%-98.3%), but low PPED possession and utilization rates. Cost and "presumed lack of utility" were the leading barriers to PPED possession; non-utilization was mainly attributed to "user inconvenience" and "presumed lack of protective benefit." PPED utilization was significantly associated with lower educational status (p=.030) and electric welding (p<.0001). The underlying causes are amenable to preventive occupational eye health education, enhanced ergonomics and affordability of PPEDs, and legislative enforcement of their use.

Evaluation of Non-fatal Work-related Injuries Presenting to Al Khor Hospital Emergency Department in Qatar

Work-related injuries constitute a large sector of patients seen at Al Khor Hospital's Emergency Department. The aim of this study is to describe the characteristics, frequency and mechanism of work-related injuries presenting to the emergency department. Patients of all ages with work-related injuries presenting to the Emergency Department at Al Khor Hospital at any time, from May to November 2009, were included in the study. Domestic injuries were excluded from the study. Character of the patients and injuries were described. The study included 903 patients. The mean age was 32.73 years (standard deviation 8.565). Most patients were construction workers, 346 (39.1%), and mechanical workers, 262 (29.6%). The types of non-fatal work related injury were: hands injuries, 329 (36.4%), contusions, 239 (26.5%) and cuts, 205 (22.7%). The main mechanisms of injury involved heavy objects falling on patients, 191 (21.2%). Wearing personal protective gear was reported in 546 (60.5%) patients, and having training to use it was reported in 510 (56.5%) cases. Wearing protective equipment was lower in mechanical workers (62.6%) and construction workers (57.4%) who had the higher percentage of work related injuries (29.6% and 39.1 % respectively), [E1] P value < 0.001. There was a positive correlation between the level of education and wearing protective equipment (P value 0.002). Our findings affirm that safety precaution and proper training on how to use the personal protective equipment is needed from companies in industrial areas to reduce the incidence of work related injury.