Magnitude and associated risk factors of injuries among welders working in grill workshops

• Published in: Injury prevention 2012-10, Vol.18 (Suppl 1), p.A157-A158
• Main Authors: Ghimire, Anup, Raj Niraula, Surya, Badhur Singh, Suman, Uprety, Samyog, Pokharal, Paras Kumar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Injuries; Materials handling; Occupational exposure; Occupational health; Occupational safety; Risk factors; Welding
• ISSN: 1353-8047; 1475-5785
• DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2012-040590m.11

Introduction Welding is a particular technology in the sense that it is needed in almost all kinds of metallic constructions, from bridges to cars and planes to structures. Welding is a physical demanding job. Safety hazards include the potential for fire or explosion and injuries from radiation, electrical shock, or materials handling. Welders are often exposed to potential workplace hazards that can be injurious to their health especially when exposure is on a regular and cumulative basis. Objectives To assess the magnitude and identify the risk factors of work-related injuries among welders. Methodology A cross-sectional study was carried out among 181 workers working in different grill workshops in Damak, Birtamode and Itahari. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect demographic information and information related to injuries to the persons suffered from injuries occurrence of any injury during working period within 12 months, factors related to injury and the use of personal protective devices during work. The data was entered in Microsoft Excel and analysed by using SPSS V.17.0. Proportions and χ2 test was applied to test significance of variables. Result The prevalence of injury within 12 months period was 36.5%.The injury was common in the age group 15–24 years (42.4%) and majority of participant had working experience less than 5 years (57.5%).Similarly injury was more common among workers who works more than 48 h per week (63.6%). workers who didn't received any formal training faced more injury (80.3%) and 42% didn't used any personal protective devices during work. Significance Increased rate of work related injury was observed when compared with similar studies done elsewhere. Preventive measures concerning functional occupational health and safety programmes are essential to safeguard the health and safety condition of workforce among welders.