Awareness of occupational hazards among automobile repair artisans in Wasit Governorate

Abstract

Background: An occupational hazard contributes to severe health problems among workers due to unhygienic conditions and lack of safety at the workplace. Economic growth and productivity can be well achieved by promoting health, safety, and improved quality workplace. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the awareness of occupational hazards among automobile repair artisans in Wasit governorate, determine the occupational types of hazards, and find out the factors associated with awareness on occupational hazards among automobile repair artisans in wasit governorate, Iraq. Subjects and Methods: A descriptive; cross-sectional study conducted at Wasit Governorate, included 230 participants. To assess Awareness, a validated well-known questionnaire instrument was utilized. The data collection continued for the period of 3 months starting on 2nd January 2022 to 3rd April 2022. Results: the findings of the study indicated that about (51.43%) of automobile artisans workers had awareness on occupational hazard,(28.3%) of the worker belonged to age group (40-49) years. And about (77.8%) of studied sample were married, also this study showed that most of automobile artisans workers (35.7%) were with primary education. (53.0%) of auto Artisans were exposed to Oxyacetylene fumes, and (20.9%) of them were exposed to Battery acid, (42.6%) were exposed to Spray painting fumes.