Epidemiological Study of Accidents Occurred in an Integrated Polyester Complex in Maharashtra, India

摘要

A retrospective analysis of all accidents occurred in an integrated polyester plant located in Maharashtra was carried out over a period of three years (1998, 1999 and 2000) with the aim of studying the trends and the causes of accidents in various departments of the plant to suggest effective preventive and control measures so as to minimize the number of accidents and thereby to reduce the morbidity among the workforce. There were 109, 103 and 97 accidents recorded during the year 1998, 1999 and 2000 respectively. The three year accident data was collected from the records of accident investigation forms filled following each accident. There was no fatal accident during the period of study. Maximum number of accidents took place in the spinning department 31.2% (1998), 42.8% (1999), 30.9% (2000) and CP2/3PSF, CP2/3 Poly and others. No accident was reported in CP/POY mechanical department during the three years. Shift-wise maximum number of accidents occurred in the "A" shift (33.2%, 37.9%, 36.1%) and "B" shift (30.3%, 35.9%, 37.1%) followed by the "C" and General shifts in the corresponding years of study. The various likely causes of the above accidents were further analyzed. Inattentiveness of the workers was the foremost cause of an accident found in all the three years (46.7%, 72.0% and 80.4%) followed by faulty job methods and work practices adopted by them. Also about 80% of all accidents occurred in the younger age group of workers, viz., 20 to 30 years. The upper extremity followed by the lower extremity was the most common part of the body involved in the accidents. Based on the above findings, recommendations were made to intensify the measures of safety training, health education and personal counselling of the employees in the most accident prone departments to minimize the number of accidents. Suggestions were also made to promote good work practices among the employees and also to encourage the use of suitable type of approved quality personal protective equipments at all times.