State of Eye Protection for Metal Welders in the Workshops of Conakry

Abstract

Introduction: Welders are an occupational group at high risk for eye injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate the state of eye protection of metal welders in the workshops of Conakry. Material and Methods: The study was cross-sectional, descriptive, and included 180 welders from 45 welding workshops in the city of Conakry for a period of three months. It involved all welding professionals working in an informal unit selected by the study and who had agreed to participate in the study. Results: The average age of the participants was 33.9 ± 13.4 years, with extremes of 15 and 68 years. The study found that 99% of the welders owned glasses, 27% owned face shields, and 49% owned welding masks. Goggles were used regularly by 86% of the welders but were not suitable for welding (98%). All welders had reported having had an eye injury at least once. Foreign bodies were cited in 81%, arc strike in 65%; eye burns in 61%. However, approximately 81% of welders did not have first aid kits at their work sites. Conclusion: The use of protective equipment during welding remains very low in the workshops of Conakry, which is the cause of great ocular morbidity among welders.