Iran Occupational Health

  Background and aim: Occupational accident is an unplanned and harmful event which occurs in workplace environments. Among various occupations and activities, large metal industries are the most hazardous industries in the world. This study was designed in one of the Arak metal industries in order to determine the incidence rate of occupational accidents as well as its risk factors.

  Methods: Initially in an incidence study, 873 workers were followed historically to determine the number of accidents since 2005 to 2007. Then the cases were compared with a random sample of workers with no accident (251 workers) in a case control study. After data collection by a structured questionnaire, statistical analysis was conducted using chi-square test, t-test and logistic regression in SPSS software (V.16).

  Results: During these three years, 359 accidents had been occurred and the annual incidence rate of accident was equal to 137 per 1000 workers. There was a significant relationship between occurrence of accident and age, work experience, education level, height, and systolic blood pressure as well as shift work (p<0.05).The marital status and number of children were not significant risk factors. Moreover, unsafe practices was the first case of accident, age and educational level were remained in regression model as the most important predictors of incident of occupational accidents.

  Conclusion: Considering the high frequency rate of accidents and based on our findings, planning and implementation of safety training, modifying non-safe conditions, supplying workers with appropriate standard protective equipment and appropriate facilities are recommended.