OCULAR TRAUMA IN AN IRON FORGING INDUSTRY IN THE EASTERN PROVINCE, SAUDI-ARABIA

Occupational accidents occur in industry worldwide, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is no exception. However, accidents are not routin ely analyzed in this country and therefore their extent and types rema in unknown. The aim of this study was to calculate the rates of ocular injuries in an iron forging factory in the Eastern Province of the KS A. It also aimed at identifying the main causes of injury and the grou ps at risk. All ocular and non-ocular injuries that occurred during 19 91 were reviewed. Data sources were the company's accident report and the employees' medical flies. A total of 193 injuries were reported. S eventy-seven (39.9%) of these affected the eyes. The incident rate for ocular injuries was 111.8 per 1,000 men exposed, The age group 33-42 had the highest prevalence rate (55.8%) and 67.5% of the eye injuries involved employees with job experience of 11 months or less., Use of p neumatic chisels was among the most hazardous activities. Projectile f oreign bodies were responsible for 76.6% oi the incidents. More than a third of the injured were not wearing eye protection. Avoidable facto rs, such as negligence, were major contributory factors, A training pr ogramme concerning safety has much to commend it, and pneumatic chisel s should be replaced by other safer means.