Causes and characteristics of work-related eye injuries in western Turkey

Abstract

Objectives: To analyze descriptive data and characteristics of work-related eye injuries (WREI) admitted into the emergency department (ED) and obtain information to utilize in planning measures to prevent WREI. Materials and Methods: This prospective study recruited patients with WREI admitted to the center in the two-year study period. Only the casualties occurred at the workplace and while working constituted the sample. The data were collected via face-to-face contact in the ED. Results: Males comprised the majority of the sample (95.3\%, n = 778) and mean age of the patients was 28.1 +/- 6.5 (range: 15-54) with the biggest percentage in between 25 and 34 years of age (46.2\%, n = 377). Most patients were working in the metal and machinery sectors (66.4\%, n = 542). Nearly half of the patients had less than 1 year of experience (50.4\%, n = 411). The most common mechanism of WREI was noted to be exposures to welding light (26.9\%, n = 219), followed by drilling/cutting injuries (21.1\%, n = 172). ``Carelessness{''} and ``hurrying up{''} were the most commonly reported causes of WREIs among `worker-related causes' (21.4\% and 16.1\%, respectively). Lack of protective measures ranked the highest among workplace-related causes (18.7\%, n = 207). Conclusions: Programs to increase awareness on workplace safety and sound preventive strategies for both parties-employers and employees are to be pursued. Occupational safety efforts should include training on workplace eye safety and campaigns to raise knowledgeability on this disease among workers.