Abstract
Background: Construction is a dangerous industry, with high rates of fatal and non-fatal injuries. Although, safety climate has been linked with safety performance and work-related accidents, yet it is scarcely studied and considered in injury prevention programs in developing countries. So, the objectives of this study are to find out the magnitude, pattern and risk factors of non-fatal occupational injuries among a sample of construction building workers and to explore the level of safety climate and its relationship with occupational injuries. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 91 workers, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, in 18 large construction sites in Mit-Ghamr city, Dakahlia Governorate. Data about socio-demographic and occupational characteristics, description of occupational injuries, and work-related and behavioral risk factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. Results: Occupational injuries in the past 12 months were reported by 46.2% of workers. The most common body parts injured were upper and lower limbs (31.0% and 26.2%). The majority of injuries were cuts/lacerations (30.9%) and contusions (28.6%). Falls (47.6%) and injuries by manual tools (23.8%) were the main causes of injuries. The majority of injured workers (90.5%) reported complete recovery after the most serious injury. The average of working days was lost per year due to occupational injuries (18.6 ± 7.8 days/year). None of the injured workers reported receiving sufficient first-aid treatment at worksite or filling an accident notification form. Extended working hours, poor safety climate, short duration of work, job dissatisfaction, young age, and job stress were significant risk factors of occupational injuries. Conclusion: Non-fatal occupational injuries are common among this sample of construction workers with significant relation to extended working hours and poor safety climate and other risk factors. So, it is important to build upon this research in order to help develop successful policies to prevent work-related injuries and promote safer work practices for construction building workers.
Highlights
Construction industry is both economically and socially important
Ninety one construction workers agreed to participate in the present study out of 94 workers who met the inclusion criteria, with a response rate of (96.8%)
Non-fatal injuries in the form of cuts/lacerations and contusions in upper and lower limbs were common among this sample of construction workers due to falls and handling of manual tools
Summary
The construction sector in Egypt is a major contributor to the country’s economy and one of its fastest-growing sectors It is fueled by the continuously increasing demand for housing and by the country’s large infrastructure projects [3]. The objectives of this study are to find out the magnitude, pattern and risk factors of non-fatal occupational injuries among a sample of construction building workers and to explore the level of safety climate and its relationship with occupational injuries. Poor safety climate, short duration of work, job dissatisfaction, young age, and job stress were significant risk factors of occupational injuries. Conclusion: Non-fatal occupational injuries are common among this sample of construction workers with significant relation to extended working hours and poor safety climate and other risk factors. It is important to build upon this research in order to help develop successful policies to prevent work-related injuries and promote safer work practices for construction building workers
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
