PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Taha, Attia Z.
TI  - Knowledge and practice of preventive measures in small industries in Al-Khobar
DP  - 2000 Aug 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 740--745
VI  - 21
IP  - 8
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/21/8/740.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/21/8/740.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2000 Aug 01; 21
AB  - 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 equipments 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%).CONCLUSION: 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.