Non-Fatal Occupational Injuries and Safety Climate: A Cross-Sectional Study of Construction Building Workers in Mit-Ghamr City, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Construction is a dangerous industry, with high rates of fatal and non-fatal injuries. Although, safety climate has been linked with safety performance and work-related accidents, yet it is scarcely studied and considered in injury prevention programs in developing countries. So, the objectives of this study are to find out the magnitude, pattern and risk factors of non-fatal occupational injuries among a sample of construction building workers and to explore the level of safety climate and its relationship with occupational injuries. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 91 workers, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, in 18 large construction sites in Mit-Ghamr city, Dakahlia Governorate. Data about socio-demographic and occupational characteristics, description of occupational injuries, and work-related and behavioral risk factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. Results: Occupational injuries in the past 12 months were reported by 46.2% of workers. The most common body parts injured were upper and lower limbs (31.0% and 26.2%). The majority of injuries were cuts/lacerations (30.9%) and contusions (28.6%). Falls (47.6%) and injuries by manual tools (23.8%) were the main causes of injuries. The majority of injured workers (90.5%) reported complete recovery after the most serious injury. The average of working days was lost per year due to occupational injuries (18.6 ± 7.8 days/year). None of the injured workers reported receiving sufficient first-aid treatment at worksite or filling an accident notification form. Extended working hours, poor safety climate, short duration of work, job dissatisfaction, young age, and job stress were significant risk factors of occupational injuries. Conclusion: Non-fatal occupational injuries are common among this sample of construction workers with significant relation to extended working hours and poor safety climate and other risk factors. So, it is important to build upon this research in order to help develop successful policies to prevent work-related injuries and promote safer work practices for construction building workers.