Knowledge and practice of preventive measures in small industries in Al-Khobar

OBJECTIVE: The specific objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice of workers in small industries regarding preventive measures of occupational hazards. METHODS: Three workshops were randomly selected from each of the 8 types of industries in the industrial area. This gave a total sample of 24 workshops. From each of these, at least one worker was selected giving a total of 33 workers. All selected workers were interviewed using a standard questionnaire. A checklist on the conditions of the shop and availability of essential safety equipment was also designed. RESULTS: All workers were young non-Saudis. More than half of them (58%) were smokers. Nine percent of the workers had no knowledge of preventive measures. About 12% used personal protective measures all the time while 60% did not use any. Workers were exposed to a variety of occupational hazards with injuries and accidents forming the majority (39%). CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of workers in small industries about occupational hazards and their use of protective measures was inadequate. Workers were exposed to a variety of occupational hazards mainly accidents and injuries.