Occupational Safety of Different Industrial Sectors in Khartoum State, Sudan Part 2: Analysis of Occupational Accidents

El-Marakby, Fadia; Nofal, Fatin; Zaki, Gehan R; Zakaraya, Adel; Deign El-Nor, Yasser

doi:10.21608/jhiph.2012.20130

Occupational Safety of Different Industrial Sectors in Khartoum State, Sudan Part 2: Analysis of Occupational Accidents

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Occupational Hygiene and Air Pollution, Occupational Health and Air Pollution Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

² Occupational Safety and Health Department, Ministry of Health, Sudan

10.21608/jhiph.2012.20130

Abstract

Background:Accident analysis is a tool which can be used to obtain accurate information about the combined accident factors that when fixed, prevent recurrence. It includes recording and documenting work-related injuries. It is carried out mainly for identifying unsafe working conditions and establishing program priorities. Objective:The study aimed to explore causes, factors, and out-comes of the occupational accidents during 2005-2007 in various industrial sectors of Khartoum State, Sudan. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, the sample of which was selected to include all injured workers during the period from 2005-2007 in the industrial enterprises employing 50+ workers in Khartoum State, Sudan. The data were collected by reviewing accident records of both enterprises and Administration of Industrial Safety and by direct interviewing the injured workers using pre-designed questionnaires. Results: The caught in or between things represented the highest accident incidence rate. The machines were the major cause of accidents in Omdurman locality. In addition; machines were the main cause of amputation, crushing and broken bones (86.8%, 44.4% and33.3%, respectively). Head injuries recorded the highest incidence rates in food and chemical industries. The defective or lack of appropriate equipment/tool recorded the highest percentage accidents in the engineering sector (58.6%)."Using defective equipment" and "failure to use the available equipment/tool" recorded the highest accidents' percentage in oils and soap industry (80%). Conclusion: The most frequent type of accident among injured workers in the different industrial sectors was the "caught in or between things" and the main cause of accidents was "machines. "Enhancement of occupational safety and health laws and regulations is recommended.

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