Occupational Hazards among Gas Station Workers

Abstract

Background: Gas stations as work setting have hazards such as of chemicals substance and physical hazards which be potentially hazardous to environmental and human health. Aim of the study was to assess the occupational health hazards among gas station workers Research design :descriptive analytical design was used Setting: the study was conducted at 53 gas stations in Assuit governorate Sample: convenience sample include 260 gas station workers Tools: two tools were used for data collection, 1 st tools: interviewing questionnaire sheet for the workers divided into five parts: part one: socio-demographic characteristics and work characteristics, part two: workers medical history, part three: occupational health hazards exposure in the work place part four: gas station worker's health status assessment, part five: worker's knowledge about of occupational health hazards& work related preventive measures 2 nd tools: observational checklist for workers practice for work related preventive measures, and gas station work environment Results: the study revealed that one third of workers age was >30-40 years old, and majority of the workers Define Chemical hazards as hazard they expose in work place ,three quarters of the workers define inhalation of petroleum fumes as a cause of chemicals hazards. more than halve of the workers demonstrated exposure to occupational health hazards during work , three quarters of workers had un satisfactory practice regarding to safety measures (Personal Protective Equipment & The personal hygiene). And less than half of gas stations had unsafe environment. Conclusion: the study concluded there was statistically significant relation between knowledge of gas station workers and their age, education level, monthly income. Although there was statistically significant relation between gas station worker's exposure to Occupational health hazard and their education level highly, There was statistically significant relation between worker's knowledge and their occupational hazard exposure and there was Negative correlation and significant between hazard exposure and the Working environment. Recommendation: the study recommended that educational program related to gas station's health hazards, safety measures should be conducted.