Abstract
Factors contributing to mechanical equipment injuries in small manufacturing businesses were investigated. Thirty-five small businesses participated in the study. Interviews were carried out with all 35 managers, and 145 employees returned completed questionnaires. Fifty-eight per cent of respondents reported having experienced an injury. Grinding machines and printing presses were found to have a high ratio of accidents per number of hours used. Factors contributing to the causes of accidents were investigated. Failure to follow known safe work procedures, non-existent and inadequate guarding and poor machine design and poor machine condition were common contributing factors. The implications of these findings for improving safety in small businesses are discussed.
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