OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES AMONG WORKERS IN A NITROGENOUS FERTILIZERS COMPANY, EGYPT

Abstract

Introduction: During manufacturing of fertilizers, workers may be exposed to several occupational accidents. Fertilizers industry is one of the most important industries in Egypt. It is considered a subsector of the chemical industries which is based on the usage of numerous types of chemicals in large quantities. Aim of work: to estimate the frequency and severity rates of occupational injuries among workers in a nitrogenous fertilizers company and to describe their pattern and possible risk factors. Materials and methods: The study comprised two parts; part I which was a record-based study of occupational injuries during a period of three years and part II which was a case-control study of the occupational injuries during the same period. Results: Having job strain, absence of past jobs, non using of gloves, and sometimes using of gloves and helmet were independently associated with the likelihood of having occupational injuries (OR= 1.9, 1.9, 7.7, 5.3, and 2.4, respectively). Conclusion: Workers at Fertilizers Company face many occupational injuries that could be ameliorated through environmental, administrative and personal measures by the implementation of an effective occupational health and awareness programs.