Occupational Health Practice Research Articles

Under-reporting of construction accidents in Sri Lanka

PurposeUnder-reporting of occupational accidents is a common problem in many countries. This is mainly because of the shortfalls in accident reporting and recording systems. Construction industry being a hazardous industry, the rate of accidents is higher compared with other industries and apparently a high rate of under-reporting. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the rate of under-reporting, significant reasons for under-reporting and identify the shortcomings in the existing accident reporting system in Sri Lanka in aiming to recommend efficient mechanisms for occupational accident recording and reporting to construction industry.Design/methodology/approachBoth secondary and primary data were tapped to gather required data. The secondary data were extracted from the records available in year 2014-2015 at the office of the commissioner for workmen’s compensation and the industrial safety division of the Department of Labor (DoL) to analyze the rate of under-reporting. The primary data were obtained through expert interviews to explore the gaps in reporting system and to identify mechanisms to reduce under-reporting.FindingsThe findings revealed 80 per cent of construction accidents are under-reported. Eight gaps in the current accident recording and reporting system and key recommendations at organizational and national level for its improvements were identified.Originality/valueThe findings provide an insight of occupational safety and health (OSH) practices in construction industry and it can be used as an eye opening flash for safety law-makers and practitioners to revisit the existing regulations and practices.

Evaluating effectiveness of OHSAS 18001 on safety performance in manufacturing companies in Iran

The application of occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMSs) in recent decades has led to the successful control of workplace injuries in high-income countries. The occupational health and safety assessment series (OHSAS) 18001 has gained a considerable acceptance worldwide, and a large number of organizations have implemented the requirements of it. However, few studies have examined the effectiveness of OHSAS 18001 on safety performance in certified organizations. The present study was conducted in three OHSAS 18001-certified and three control manufacturing companies to evaluate the effectiveness of OHSAS 18001 on the improvement of safety performance indicators of occupational injury rate (OIR), safety climate, occupational health and safety (OHS) practices. The results did not indicate a significant effect of OHSAS 18001 certification on the OIR and safety climate level has not improved 4–9 years after certification. The certified companies had better OHS activity rates compared with the control companies. The assessment of OHSAS 18001 activity rates showed that the certified companies fulfill about fifty percent of the requirements of the OHSAS 18001 standard. It can be concluded that having an OHSAS 18001 certification cannot be a guarantee for achieving a good performance on safety. The characteristics of a certified organization in how to implement and maintain the requirements of the OHSAS 18001 standard is a decisive factor for the effectiveness of it on the improvement of safety performance.

Psychosocial Risk Factors, Burnout and Hardy Personality as Variables Associated With Mental Health in Police Officers.

Among the variables associated with occupational stress, two of the most studied are the adverse perceptions of psychosocial risk factors in the workplace and burnout. With the rise of positive psychology, other variables of the individual type, such as hardy personality have also been the subject of study. No studies have been found that jointly examine these variables related to mental health in police officers. The aim of this research was to analyze which variables were associated with mental health in police officers. A total of 223 policemen (202 men and 21 women) participated in a cross-sectional study. Of all the variables, emotional exhaustion and perception of problems as challenges were the only factors introduced in the regression model. These factors must be considered to improve both human resource interventions and occupational health practices in this professional group.

Safety Talk and Safety Culture: Discursive Repertoires as Indicators of Workplace Safety and Health Practice and Readiness to Change.

Small construction businesses (SCBs) account for a disproportionate share of occupational injuries, days lost, and fatalities in the US and other modern economies. Owner/managers of SCBs confront risks associated with their own and workers' safety and business survival, and their occupational safety and health (OSH) related values and practices are key drivers of safety and business outcomes. Given owner/mangers are the key to understanding and affecting change in smaller firms, as well as the pressing need for improved OSH in small firms particularly in construction, there is a critical need to better understand SCB owners' readiness to improve or adopt enhanced OSH activities in their business. Unfortunately, the social expectation to support safety can complicate efforts to evaluate owners' readiness. To get a more accurate understanding of the OSH values and practices of SCBs and the factors shaping SCB owners' readiness and intent to implement or improve safety and health programming by comparing their discourse on safety with their self-rated level of stage of change. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 SCB owner managers. Respondents were asked to self-rate their safety program activity on a 5-point scale from unaware or ignorant ('haven't thought about it at all') to actively vigilant ('well-functioning safety and health program for at least 6 months'). They were also asked to discuss the role and meaning of OSH within their trade and company, as well as attitudes and inclinations toward improving or enhancing business safety practices. Respondents' self-rating of safety program activity was compared and contrasted with results from discourse analysis of their safety talk, or verbal descriptions of their safety values and activities. Borrowing from normative and stage theories of safety culture and behavioral change, these sometimes contradictory descriptions were taxonomized along a safety culture continuum and a range of safety cultures and stages of readiness for change were found. These included descriptions of strong safety cultures with intentions for improvement as well as descriptions of safety cultures with more reactive and pathological approaches to OSH, with indications of no intentions for improvement. Some owner/managers rated themselves as having an effective OSH program in place, yet described a dearth of OSH activity and/or value for OSH in their business. Assessing readiness to change is key to improving OSH performance, and more work is needed to effectively assess SCB OSH readiness and thus enable greater adoption of best practices.

A VISION FOR OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE IN EGYPT, EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS (REVIEW)

In Egypt occupational medicine (OM) continues to be one of medicine’s smallest specialties facing challenges both in terms of demand for consultants and trainees in occupational medicine, occupational health and safety practice. The decline in the number of occupational physicians is surprising when occupational health is such an important aspect of health. Occupational injuries and illnesses are among the five leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.Future vision for occupational medicine in Egypt needs multilevel and multisystem cooperation. Evaluation of the current situation of the discipline as a scientific specialty is needed. Indeed the legal and health systems reforming are a corner stone in development of the discipline, especially that “occupational diseases” is more a legal definition than scientific. The Labor Law (12/ 2003) introduces some quite important changes. However, the enforcement of labor legislations in Egypt has always been rather weak. It is recommended to redefine and assess the competencies of occupational physicians. Education, training and information mechanisms and institutions play a vital role in the progressive construction of a national Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) system. As part from the general research fields, the research in occupational medicine generally faces the same challenges that faces other specialties with some difficulties related to the unique nature of the discipline. Safety culture promotion, and revitalization of the Supreme Advisory Council on OSH are also needed. Occupational rehabilitation and therapy are part of the discipline that should be focused on. In addition, Egypt being a country where micro and small and medium sized enterprises, together with agriculture, employ the majority of labor force, identification of priorities for the development of a national OSH action program for this category of industrial activity is crucial.

Introducing Greek Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Adverse Health Effects of Occupational Exposure to Metals.

Background Aim:Implementing guidelines in the practice of occupational health is a high-priority need, since their use can reduce the variability in practice and increase professional efficiency, resulting in higher quality of health care services. The aim of this report is to provide information regarding the development process of the first series of national guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of adverse health effects occurring after occupational exposure to hazardous metals in Greece. This task was recently initiated in Greece as part of the health care reform system in the context of the ongoing financial crisis.Methods:The following metals: arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and nickel (Ni), which are the most commonly encountered in Greece, were selected to be studied. A systematic review of medical literature resulted in 94 review papers of the initial 3,932 eligible according to the inclusion criteria.Results:For each metal, an extensive report was produced, including physical and chemical properties, routes of exposure, health hazards, medical surveillance, occupational exposure limits, protection and control measures, first aid and rescue, and waste management. Special attention was paid to environmental exposure data, effects on children health, and necessary laboratory examinations.Conclusions:The first series of guidelines, regarding diagnosis and treatment of individuals who have been occupationally exposed to metals is available; it was recently published in Greece by the National School of Public Health, aiming at helping occupational health practitioners enhance the quality of their provided services.

Effectiveness of Occupational Therapy Services in Mental Health Practice.

National behavioral health care efforts have opened opportunities to reignite occupational therapy mental health practice and research. The profession's person-centered and occupation-based practice fits well with the growing needs of people with serious mental illness (SMI) served in community-based settings. The nine articles in this special issue provide a growing body of evidence to support the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions for adults with SMI to enhance health management skills and promote independence in living a balanced and satisfying life. However, much more high-level research is required to explicitly investigate the contributions of occupational therapy in all areas of occupation for adults with SMI and to broaden the available evidence base to inform occupational therapy practice.

Occupational Health and Safety Practices in Foundries: A Case Study

Bu çalışmada, İstanbul ilinde dökümhanelerde çalışan 150 kişi ile anket çalışması yapılmıştır. Anket çalışmasında dökümhanelerde çalışanların yaşları, demografik özellikleri, kişisel koruyucu donanım kullanıp kullanmadıkları, çalışma süresince karşılaşılan olumsuz faktörler, çalışma koşullarına bağlı geçirilen hastalıklar, çalışma ortamında maruz kalınan fiziksel faktörler, iş güvenliği eğitimleri alıp almadıkları, en çok iş kazası geçirilen bölüm ve iş kazalarına uğrama nedenlerine yönelik veriler istatistiki olarak irdelenmiştir. Ankete verilen cevaplar değerlendirildiğinde elde edilen sonuçlar gerekse iş kazası istatistikleri iş sağlığı ve güvenliği çalışmalarının ülkemizde henüz istenen düzeye ulaşmadığını göstermektedir.

TB/HIV Exposure among Nursing Students in the Clinical Practice Environment

Nurses are faced with challenges regarding inadequate precautionary resources and the lack of support for occupational health practices still experienced in the clinical setting which expose them to the risk of contracting TB and HIV. Hence this study sought to investigate TB/HIV exposure among nursing students in the clinical practice environment. A cross-sectional descriptive design was used in this study. The study sample included nursing students from first to fourth year level from the School of Nursing Sciences at the North-West University who were purposively selected. A high percentage of nursing students reported that they have experienced a situation where they were afraid that they might have been infected with both TB and HIV. Awareness about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) was marked among the majority of nursing students. The uptake of PEP differed across junior and senior levels of nursing students. The results revealed that the higher the level of study, the greater the exposure. The lack of sufficient clinical support from nursing staff and preceptors had equally contributed to the exposure of nursing students to both HIV and TB, therefore, more support must be provided to nursing students.

Using Action Research to prevent work-related illness among rubber farmers in Northeastern Thailand.

This research aimed to enhance self-care among rubber farmers for preventing work-related illness. The project used Action Research's four phase iterative process: fact-finding to understand the problems, action planning, action plan implementation, and evaluation and reflection on action plan impacts. Sixty-six participants (46 rubber farmers and 20 community stakeholders) were purposively recruited from two villages in the top 10 rubber producing provinces in Northeastern Thailand. Demographic and work-related illness data were collected in face-to-face structured interviews, Focus group interviews and participant observations were used to collect data in each project phase. Night group meetings were held throughout the research phases. The intervention included training workshops and establishing a community health education team for ongoing farmer support. Results showed improved farmer self-care behaviors and establishment of a community health education team to encourage farmers to care for themselves properly. Community nurses, other health personnel, and the Thai government can build on initiatives like this to strengthen occupational health and safety practices and services policy for rubber farmers.

Development process of Evidence-based "Return-to-work Guidance in Occupational Health 2017"

"Return-to-work Guidance in Occupational Health 2017 (RTW Guidance 2017) " is the first occupational health guide in Japan that evaluates the quality of evidence and offers recommendations based on results of the systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Details of the systematic review of each review question (RQs) will be described separately. This article presents an overview of the method and process of developing the "RTW Guidance 2017." The guidance was developed following the previously-published "Method for developing evidence based occupational health guidance," which included the composition of a highly-transparent guidance developing group as well as the recruitment and selection of RQs. Using the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Ichushi-Web, a literature search for the six RQs was conducted in January 2016 by partly modifying the search terms of the existing systematic review. Articles were selected according to the inclusion criteria, and the quality of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach. Meta-analysis was conducted for RQ2 and RQ4, and a qualitative systematic review was conducted for RQ5, RQ6, and cost-effectiveness. Recommendations were subsequently made after a thorough consideration for feasibility in Japan by examining the costs and available resources. Based on a comprehensive literature search, eleven RQ2, four RQ4, one RQ5, and three RQ6 were selected. Support program for returning to work, such as "Re-work" for those who are temporarily not working due to musculoskeletal disorders or mental health disorder, was recommended based on moderate evidence (RQ2). For RQ4, the collaboration between occupational health practice and clinical practice was weakly recommended based on low evidence. For RQ5 that evaluated the usefulness of social support, intervention by the manager/co-worker was proposed as a "best practice statement" without indicating it as a recommendation. Work accommodation was weakly recommended based on low evidence in RQ6. From the result of systematic reviews, it was recommended for workers on sick leave more than four weeks regardless of sick leave and sickness absence that interventions during leave would improve work-related outcomes, such as earlier reinstatement. Although there is limited evidence regarding occupational health in Japan, it is important for many occupational health professionals to learn the method of developing guidance and to identify issues for future studies with priority in Japan.

Differences in opinions of occupational physicians on the required competencies by field of practice: results of an international Delphi study

BackgroundThe activities and work demands of medical professionals, including occupational physicians (OPs), fall into three categories: clinical, academic, and administrative. Work demands of an OP consist of these three categories and additional specialty specific roles and competencies. Research on the core competencies and skills required for OPs have identified high levels of consensus amongst OPs internationally, however these opinions have not been examined between areas of practice specific groups. Furthermore, it has been identified that to a large extent academics are often the group who define the skills required of OPs. The aim of this study is to compare the opinions of OPs grouped by field of practice on the common core competencies required for occupational health (OH) practice using results from an international survey.MethodsAn international modified Delphi study conducted among OPs, completed in two rounds (Rating-Round 1; Ranking-Round 2) using developed questionnaires based on the specialist training syllabus of a number of countries and expert discussions. Respondents were categorised as Physician, Manager/Physician, and Academic/Physician, based on self-reported job titles and place of work.ResultsThere was good agreement between the Physician and Manager/Physician groups, with the Academic/Physician group deviating the most. The top three and bottom three principle domains (PDs) were in good agreement across all groups. The top three were clinically based and would be considered core OH activities. The PDs with considerable intergroup variance were Environmental Issues Related to Work Practice and Communication Skills, categories which may reflect direct relevance and relative importance to the job tasks of respective groups.ConclusionThis study demonstrated general agreement between the three occupational groups. Academic/Physician opinions deviate the most, while good agreement is depicted between the Physician and Manager/Physician groups. The findings of this study can help identify potential gaps in training requirements for OPs and be used as a stepping stone to developing training programmes that are reflective of practice and tailored for those predominantly undertaking these specific roles.

Reproducibility of work ability and work functioning instruments.

Work ability (WA) and work functioning (WF) instruments can be useful in occupational health practice. The reproducibility of both instruments is important to their relevance for daily practice. Clinimetrics concerns the methodological and statistical quality of instruments and their performance in practice. To assess the reproducibility of WA and WF instruments. Dutch workers completed a questionnaire containing WA questions and the WF questionnaire twice with a 7-day interval between. The questionnaire included an appraisal of current general, physical and mental/emotional WA (0-10) and the composite WF questionnaire of 49 items (0-100). We measured reproducibility, reliability and agreement by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), the standard error of measurement (SEM) and the smallest detectable change (SDC). The answers of 104 respondents were available for analysis. General, physical and mental/emotional WA had ICC values of 0.52, 0.69 and 0.56, respectively. For WF, the ICC value was 0.85. For general WA, the SEM was 0.71. For physical and mental/emotional WA, the SEMs were 0.75 and 0.74, respectively. For general, physical and mental/emotional WA, the SDC was 1.98, 2.09 and 2.05 respectively. The SEM of the WF score was 4.78, and the SDC was 13.25. The WA questions showed moderate reliability, while the WF instrument showed good reliability. Occupational health professionals can use the SDCs of the instruments to monitor changes in WA and WF in workers over time.

Knowledge on occupational health hazard and safety practices among the municipal solid waste handler

Background: All over the world nearly 860,000 people are injured every day and 2.3 million deaths occur annually due to occupational accidents and work-related diseases.There are limited studies that specifically determine the knowledge of waste handlers on occupational health problems and associated factors of occupational health problems and injuries in waste handlersin context of Nepal. Therefore, this studyaimed to assess the knowledge of waste handlers on occupational health and safety practices and its association with utilization of PPEs along with the condition of occupational health problems and injuries and factors associated with them among the waste handlers of Kathmandu Metropolitan City.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among selected 355 solid waste collectors by using semi-structured questionnaire and observation checklist, which was completed from March 2016 to May 2016. The data was entered into SPSS 20 version for analysis and a chi-square test was performed to see the presence of the association between the dependent and selected independent variables.Results: Among total respondents (355) surveyed 51.5% had got knowledge on occupational health hazard, 16.1 % had got the knowledge to prevent from work-related health risks, 29% had got knowledge about PPEs and 31.5% had got knowledge about PPEs utilization. About 45.8% of the study participants had practices of the utilization of PPEs. Majority of the respondents i.e. 63.7% reported that they were suffering from occupational health problems. The evidence of the occupational health injuries was found to be low i.e. 25.4%. Similarly, variables which had significant influence on the occupational health problems were knowledge on occupational health hazard (p=0.016), work experience (p=0.021), health checkup (p=0.042) and for the occupational health injuries were monthly income(p=0.036), knowledge to prevent from health risk (p=0.001), gender (p=0.02), and knowledge of occupational health hazard (p=0.011), work experience (p= 0.025), work type (p=0.001), knowledge on PPEs ( p=0.034) and knowledge on work-related health risks (p= 0.027).Conclusion: Based on this study, its recommended to improve occupational health and safety practices. Awareness programs need to be focused to increase the knowledge on Occupational health hazards and safety practices to improve the utilization of PPEs..Journal of Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health SciencesVol. 3, No. 1, 2017, page: 56-72

Occupational Health and Safety Practices and Challenges in the Construction Industry of Bhutan: A Situation analysis

Introduction: The construction industry is one of the most hazardous industrial fields, wherein the construction workers are prone to work related accidents resulting in disabilities and/or deaths. The probability of fatality in the construction industry is five times more likely than in the manufacturing industry. In developing countries, construction work is ten times more dangerous than in industrialized countries. ILO (2016) estimated that of all workplace accidents, about 30% of fatal accidents occur at construction sites. Similarly, the construction industry in Bhutan accounts for 60% of total workplace accidents in the country. Objective: This paper will evaluate the existing Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) practices in the construction industry of Bhutan. It will also identify the challenges and problems faced by both the contractors and those attempting to implement OHS policies and procedures. Methods: A study was conducted involving 119 participants from several construction companies and government regulatory organizations relevant to the construction industry in Bhutan. Data was collected through questionnaire surveys, interviews and discussions. Results: The study identified a number of OHS problems in the construction industry, including: i) Low priority given to safety; ii) Poor attitude of contractors and laborers towards OHS; iii) lack of competent manpower to enforce regulations; iv) lack of safety promotion; and v) poor health and safety management systems. Conclusion: It is concluded that the biggest challenge faced is to shape the safety culture through behavioral change, of employers and workers. Perhaps most important, however, is the education and training component - not only for the workers, but their managers and supervisors, who must be held accountable for workplace safety.

Determinants of Compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Practices among Metal Welders in Jinja Municipality-Jinja District Uganda

Background: Compliance with the occupational health and safety measures at workplace is an important step towards providing a healthier welding workplace; especially in developing countries like Uganda where such measures are commonly not well-considered. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the work environment and individual determinants of compliance with the occupational health and safety practices among metal welders in Jinja municipality-Jinja district. Method: The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design using both qualitative and quantitative method of enquiry. Simple random sampling and convenience sampling were used to assess the welders. Structured interviews and key informant interview were used to obtain data from the welders. Data analysis was done using the SPSS. Results: Only 50% (120) of the welders in Jinja municipality complied with the welding occupational health and safety practices. Regularly checking and maintenance of welding plant and equipment (p=0.000, X2=33.771), supervisor often remind workers of the potential risks and hazards in their workplace (p=0.000, X2=48.614), supervisor always consulting welders for suggestions about how to improve safety (p=0.004, X2=8.103), type of material used for welding (X2=10.112, p=0.006) and the number of employees per welding enterprise (X2=18.898, 0.008) were the work environment conditions that had statistical significant influence on compliance to occupation health and safety practices among welders in Jinja municipality. Duration in the welding profession (X2=8.654, p=0.034) and thought of getting injured easily while welding (X2 = 8.515, p=0.004) were the individual factors that have a statistically significant influence on compliance to occupational health and safety practices among the welders in Jinja municipality. Conclusion: There is an average level of compliance with occupational health and safety practices among welders in Jinja district. Basically only half of the welders in the Municipality are compliant mainly due to welding work environment characteristics/factors. Recommendations: Orientation, awareness, development of standard rules, enforcement of the safety codes and conducts were the recommendations necessary to improve the compliance to occupational health and safety practices among welders.

Understanding influential factors on implementing social sustainability practices in Manufacturing Firms: An interpretive structural modelling (ISM) analysis

The purpose of this paper is to identify key factors that hinder successful implementation of social sustainability practices in manufacturing firm's perspective and explain their nature, significance and inter-relationship using interpretive structural modelling (ISM). We have used a distinctive modelling approach to examine the contextual relationship among the key barriers and to rank them concerning their importance. Interpretative structural modelling (ISM) approach used to develop a hierarchical structure for analysing the interactions among the key barriers. ISM model highlights that lack involvement of operational staff into planning and lack of supportive institutional policies are the key barriers.Our findings indicate that lack of understanding customer needs and lack of managerial capabilities are significant barriers to implementation and adaptation to new occupational health and safety practices (i.e. OHSAS 18001). Furthermore, the importance of critical barriers concerning social sustainability practices is 'lack of internal encouragement programs',' lack of involvement of operational staff in planning' and lack of supportive policies from institutions' that may force the industry to implement social sustainability practices.In doing so, it contributes to the understanding of health, occupational safety as a constitutive aspect of firm social sustainability. Our findings provide important insight to managers about factors affecting social sustainability during implementation.

Aspects of Occupational Safety Practices and Injury Analysis: A Case Study

With continuous sophistication of valued metal extraction methods and processing routes in recent years, occupational health and safety practices of workers are very necessary for improved productivity and financial performance of the mining industry. In the current paper, aspects of occupational safety practices at AngloGold Ashanti Limited, Iduapriem Mine, have been investigated towards ameliorating the safe acts and conditions necessary at the workplace. Three year (2008, 2009 and 2011) records of injuries due to unsafe behaviour and conditions have been extracted from the mine and analysed. The data showed that AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem mine is relentlessly working towards achieving zero injuries at the workplace. The behaviour-based safety management employed in the process of achieving this goal worked very effectively by mitigating the number of injuries realized in the last quarter of the year. Even though the total number of injuries decreased per year in the mine, the first aid injuries recorded were the highest in each year. Reducing the number of first aid injuries markedly reduced the number of dressing, lost time, and restricted work injuries. Furthermore, there were no fatalities recorded in 2008, 2009 and 2011 records of the mine. Overall, the data provided pragmatic information on the safety management style employed at the mine.

Social Compliance, Occupational Health and Environmental Safety Management Practice in the Apparel Industry of Bangladesh: An Overview

The environment is everything in the world around us that surrounds and affects all life on earth. It provides all necessary goods and services to the biotic component within it. Garments industries may contribute more to the economy of the country along with taking care of the surrounding environment. Notwithstanding, working conditions in this essential division are poor. That is, they don't agree to work hones that guarantee the social welfare of their employees. The factories are experiencing tension to enhance their work environment security to worldwide measures. This study audits the writing on working conditions in Bangladesh's RMG part and the disappointment of its current work laws. A Primary research was done to gather qualitative information which was being investigated qualitatively utilizing illustrative and inferential insights. The survey was designed to collect information to analyse the present scenario of compliance practice in Bangladesh. The research was identified the causes and effects of occupational hazards and explores policy options and recommendations that can promote greater occupational safety in Bangladesh RMG sector. It will also aid us in rheostat the disability or death caused by occupational hazards on poverty status. The correlational analysis of health & safety strategies in working environment and designed usage in developed countries will help as rules for building legitimate health & safety prime for present garments manufactures and exporters.

Role of health awareness among malaria control workers in their occupational health and safety practices

Background: The study conducted at Khartoum North, Khartoum state, Sudan to determine the role of health awareness among malaria control workers in their occupational health and safety. All workers (80) were selected for the study. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study concentrating on the role of awareness among Malaria control program workers who were using insecticides in their occupational health and safety practices, where questionnaire, interviews, intervention program used. Results: The study clarified that there is a high significant change in practices among malaria control workers concerning the use of personal protective equipment from 68% to 86% after intervention, also there was a significant change in practices among malaria control workers concerning the using always of personal protective equipment’s from 75% to 86% after intervention. Conclusions: The study concluded that the hazard of insecticides to the Malaria control workers occupational health is high, because of their limited awareness about the risks resulted from it, health awareness interventions can tackle this problem.