Community Medicine Abstracts - College of Medicine and Health ...

Project No. 238 (2006)Health and Safety Survey of Carpenters and Carpentry Workshops in Al AinIndustrial AreaStudent Authors: Khaldoon Hamad Al-Khaldi, Meshal Abdulkarim Sultan,Mohammed Nasser Al-Suwaidi, Abdulla Ahmed Askar, Fayez ibrahim Al-ShamsiFaculty Supervisors: Dr. P. Barss, Dr. J. Schneider, Dr. R. BernsenAbstract:Introduction: Carpenters because of the nature of their job, are particularly prone tohand trauma and respiratory diseases. Barrage et al in a review of hand and lowerarm injuries in New Zealand between 1979 and 1988 found that 37% were workrelated.Among the highest risk occupations in this respect were carpenters with aninjury rate of 2.2 per thousand. Another study done in New Zealand on 1992 statedthat the wood workers reported experiencing higher rates of both lower and upperrespiratory tract symptoms than a control group of office workers. Most of thecarpenters in Al Ain are employed in small, poorly supervised workshops, providinglittle in the way safe systems of work or safe equipment. In addition the majority ofthose engaged in manual work are recruited from the sub continent with limitededucation, particularly trade including health and safety, training.Methods: We did a descriptive cross-sectional survey of 74 workshops in carpentrysector of the industrial area of Al Ain city. Interview-administered questionnaires andpeak expiratory flow rate measurement devices were used, and data analyzed inSPSS.Results: Response was 62/74 shops; 99/110 carpenters responded. 32% hadrespiratory symptoms due to wood dust. 14.1% had hand disability due to fingersamputation. Powered table saws accounted for all injuries. Majority of the shops lackthe safety measures of the powered tools. 88.7% did not have fire proof locker forflammable substances. 56% of the shops had fire extinguisher.Conclusion: It is thought that although there has been some attempt at OH&Sregulation, the policing of that regulation to date has been poor. This survey wouldseem to confirm those findings and the absence of safe workplaces, procedures andpractices in this area.