Prevalence and pattern of occupational injuries at workplace among welders in coastal south India

Abstract

Background:Injuries among welders are an important health issue in metal industries at global level. The study aimed to assess the prevalence and pattern of injuries and its possible associated risk factors among welders.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 209 welders in metal industries of Puducherry, coastal south India. Data regarding all types of injuries during the past 1 year were collected by administering a pre-designed questionnaire. The various risk factors associated with injuries that include age, training before induction, experience, job duration, tobacco chewing, alcohol use and use of protective measures were assessed using standard questionnaire. The data was analyzed by univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis.Results:Majority of subjects were aged between 20 and 40 years (160, 76.6%) and educated below 10th standard (181, 86.6%). Mean number of injury was found to be 10.74 (SD = 5.74) in the preceding year. All of them had more than 2 injuries and 44% (92) of them had more than 10 injuries. All of them had abrasions and more than three fourths of them had each of lacerations, foreign body in the eye, flash burns and contusions. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age less than 30 years (OR = 5.19), tobacco use (OR = 2.56), alcohol use (OR = 3.96) and institutional training (OR = 0.10) were the predictors associated with more than 10 injuries among welders.Conclusion:Injury among welders is an important health problem in this area. Strategies for strengthening institutional training for younger age groups may help in decreasing the burden of injuries.

Work-related Injury among Welders Working in Metal Workshops of Dharan Municipality, Nepal

“…6 More than 1/3 rd of the welders in this study who reported having sustained injury in past 12 months, reported injury more than once. This is also reported from India 13 and Africa. 6 The use of at least one PPE in this study was high, compared to the finding from eastern Nepal.…”

“…12,13 Welding as a profession predominantly undertaken by males globally. The age group of the welders is similar with studies in Nepal and Nigeria, where a major proportion of welders are of younger age.…”

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

“…3000. 6 Kumar SG et al reported that the welders were working for less than 8 hours per day whereas our study reveals that the welders are working for more than 8 hours per day (8 to 12 hours). 6 This difference may be due to the different work cultures present in various parts of the country and the negligence of the state in enforcing work related regulations in this unorganized sector.…”

Occupational safety measures and morbidity among welders in Vellore, Southern India

“…4 In 2003, it was estimated that over a million workers between 20 and 40 years old worldwide, were employed in the welding industry. 5,6 Welders and those working in the vicinity, are exposed to toxic emissions recognized as health hazards. For example, welding fumes containing manganese particles have shown to result in serious neurotoxic effects.…”