Awareness of occupational hazards and utilization of safety measures among welders in kaduna metropolis, Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Welders are exposed to a variety of occupational hazards with untoward health effects. However, little is known of welders' awareness of health hazards and their adherence to safety precautions in developing countries. This study assessed the awareness of occupational hazards and adherence to safety measures among welders in Kaduna metropolis in northern Nigeria. Methods: A structured questionnaire was administered on a cross-section of 330 welders in Kaduna metropolis in northern Nigeria. Information was sought on their socio-demographic characteristics, their awareness of occupational hazards and adherence to safety measures. Results: All welders were males with a mean age of 35.7 ± 8.4 years. The illiteracy rate was 7.6%. Overall, 257 (77.9%) of the welders were aware of one or more workplace hazards. This was positively influenced by educational attainment, age, nature of training and work experience. Of the 330 respondents, 282 (85.3%) had experienced one or more work-related accidents in the preceding year. The most common injuries sustained were cut/injuries to the hands and fingers (38.0%), back/waist pain (19%), arc eye injuries/foreign bodies (17.0%), burns (14.0%), hearing impairment (7.0%), fractures (4.0%) and amputation (1.0%). Only 113 (34.2%) welders used one or more types of protective device with eye goggles (60.9%), hand gloves (50.3%) and boots (34.5%) being more frequently used. Regular use of safety device, shorter working hours and increasing experience were protective of occupational accidents. Conclusions:The level of awareness of occupational hazards was high with sub optimal utilization of protective measures against the hazards. There is therefore need for health and safety education of these workers for health and increased productivity. Keyword: Occupational Health Hazards, Welders, NigeriaRésumé Fond: Des soudeuses sont exposées à une variété de risques professionnels avec des effets de santé impropices. Cependant, peu est connu conscience de soudeuses' des risques sanitaires et de leur adhérence aux mesures de sécurité dans les pays en voie de développement. Cette étude a évalué la conscience des risques professionnels et de l'adhérence aux mesures de sécurité parmi des soudeuses dans la métropole de Kaduna au Nigéria nordique.Awareness of occupational hazards and use of safety measures amongst welders in northern Nigeria. Sabitu K. et al.

Photokeratoconjunctivitis Symptoms among Informal Welding Operators in North Samarinda, Indonesia

“…The results of this study are consistent with previous research by Sabitu et al 5 that concluded that some of the effects of welding on health include photokeratitis or arc eye. This results was in accordance with the opinion of Davies 8 which concluded that welding emits a wide spectrum of radiations ranging between 200-1,400 nm.…”

“…Some variables that were partially related to photokeratoconjunctivitis were the duration of UV exposure (p=0.055) and the number of working days (p=0.037). The regression model can be written as follows: Y=a+b 1 .χ 1 +b 2 .χ 2 +b 3 .χ 3 +b 4 .χ 4 +b 5 .χ 5 +b 6 .χ 6 +e Y=6.476−0.169χ 1 +0.242χ 2 +0.32χ 3 −0.089χ 4 −0.…”

“…Most (85%) in Northern Nigeria welding operator injured at work, 17% of whom are arc eye injuries/foreign bodies. 5 Some of the effects of welding on health include photokeratitis or arc eye, metal fume fever, decrease in lung function, pneumoconiosis, asthma, photodermatitis and fertility abnormalities. 6 Indonesia Basic Health Research done in 2013 explained that one of the causes of eye injury is occupational accidents due to exposure to sharp or blunt tools/machinery, falling objects, poisoning, radiation, burns and others.…”

Determinants influencing health status of welders in a sub-urban slum of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

“…The study further shows that 82.3% workers used at least one protective equipment while working whereas the study by Sabitu K et al in Nigeria reported that only 34.2% of welders used one or more types of protective device. 7 This variation may be due to more awareness in the city.…”

“…7 The musculoskeletal pain is a major concern for 82.3% welders. This finding is higher than those conducted by Sabitu K et al and Burdorf A et al 5,7 The reason may be the poorer ergonomic conditions to which these workers are exposed to.…”