Abstract:
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The medical and safety problems associated with welding include skin
burns, fume inhalation, electric shock, overheating, injuries resulting from explosion of
fire, actinic keratitis (welder's flash), ocular foreign bodies, and death. In Ethiopia
industries are growing up, on the contrary studies regarding knowledge of occupational
hazards and utilization of protective devices are limited.
Objective: To assess the level of knowledge on occupational hazards and Utilization of
personal protective equipment among welders of Gondar city.
Methodology: Cross sectional study was conducted from April 15 to 30, 2012 among
Gondar city welders. The study included 390 workers selected by simple random
sampling. A structured and pretested questionnaire and observational checklist were
used for data collection. The data were entered, EPI INFO 2002 and analyzed using
SPSS version 16 statistical package. Frequencies and summary statistics were used to
describe the study population. Binary and multiple Logistic regression analysis were
carried out.
Result: two hundred fifty eight (66.2%) respondents were knowledgeable of
occupational hazards and 159 (40.8%) welders self reported utilization of PPEs
compared to 67(17.2%) by checklist. Safety training [AOR: 2.84, 95% CI: 1.30, 6.21]
and supervision [AOR: 2.77, 95% CI: 1.52, 5.06] were main factors to increase
knowledge on occupational hazards among welders. Safety training [AOR: 2.29, 95%
CI: 2.28, 4.11] and availability of PPE in the organization [AOR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.38,
5.09] were main factors to increase utilization of PPE among the welders.
Conclusion and recommendation: the knowledge on occupational hazards was
good, the utilization of PPEs was poor among the welders. Safety training was the
common factor to increase knowledge on occupational hazards and utilization of PPE
and training of the welders should be encouraged.
Key words: welders, Gondar, knowledge, utilization, occupational hazards, personal
protective equipment
