Mitiku Bonsa Debela, Getachew Redae Taferi and Mulubirhan Assefa
Background: Hand-arm vibration is vibration transmitted to a person’s hand & arm when using hand-held power tools or while holding materials being processed by plant. Hand-arm vibration exposure from the use of vibrating tools is a common health problems uncommonly investigated in industrial workers on the globe. However, evidence clarifying the present situation is limited on the extent of hand-arm vibration exposures associated with sugar industry sectors in most of sub-Saharan African countries, like Ethiopia. The aim of present study was to assess extent of hand-arm vibration exposures & associated factors among Metehara sugar industry workers.
Methods: A facility based cross sectional study was carried out for a period of February 15-July 30, 2017 in Metehara sugar industry. A total of 552 eligible workers were included by stratified random sampling techniques. Data were collected by trained personnel (n=12) through pre-tested interview administered questionnaire after informed consent. European Union & Safe work Australia guideline exposure point based system was used to assess workers daily hand arm vibration exposure. Exposure duration was determined by multiply the number of repetitions required by the average task duration (trigger time) for each vibration producing tool. Data was analysed by STATA version12. Adjusted odds ratio was taken as a measure of effect with 95% confidence interval.
Results: This study revealed that, the extent of hand-arm vibration exposure was 182 (33%). Lack of safety training, lack of risk assessment enforcement, lack of ant-vibration device, absence of safety audit & lack of job rotation practice were estimated a positive association with probability of occupational exposure evidence having adjusted odds ratio 5.12 (3.52, 5.2), 3.94 (2.6, 5.86), 1.96 (1.27, 3.02), 7.17 (4.05, 8.7) & 2.89 (2.74, 5.31) respectively.
Conclusion & Recommendation: The estimated levels of hand arm vibration exposures for vibrating tools found to be higher than permissible exposure limit. Lacks of safety audit, lack safety training, lack of ant-vibration device, lack of risk assessment enforcement & lack of job rotation practice were considerably attributes for this higher occupational exposure. Hence, Metehara sugar industry should be develop anti-vibration tool purchasing policy aim to buy tools with the lowest vibration levels possible & should practice job rotation systems.
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