Effectiveness of a Multifaceted Intervention on Ocular Health and Ophthalmic Safety Among Metal Workers of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh
- p 102-109
Objective: To evaluate ocular health status and ophthalmic safety practices among industrial metal workers of Moradabad, pre- and post-intervention.
Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted from November 2022 to December 2023. Metal workers, recruited from an industrial zone of Moradabad, underwent eye examination and were administered a pre-validated questionnaire on ocular health and safety, translated in Hindi. A multifaceted intervention included detailed ophthalmic evaluation, correction of refractive error, and presbyopia followed by provision of personal protective equipment (PPE). Thereafter, an awareness program was conducted using leaflets, followed by monthly monitoring group meetings. All workers were followed up for one year.
Results: Four hundred metal workers aged between 14 and 65 years, predominantly from unorganized sector (70%), were evaluated. While a notable percentage of the metal workers (18.50%) reported ocular injuries in last 5 years, only 11.25% wore PPE and 4.3% of the participants attended prior ophthalmic safety training at baseline evaluation. Majority of the participants reported uncorrected presbyopia and/or refractive error. All participants completed 3 stages of intervention. A total of 297 spectacles were provided. After the intervention and 1 year of monitoring, safety attitudes of the workers improved significantly (P < 0.05). There were no cases of eye injuries reported during 1 year.
Conclusions: Present research revealed eye injuries to be a significant public health concern among metal workers of Moradabad, further highlighting the minimal use of PPE. However, continuous education, increased supervision, and mandatory safety measures improved worker attitudes and reduced work-related eye injuries in this occupational group.
INTRODUCTION Occupational eye injuries pose significant societal and economic challenges, with nearly half a million individuals suffering monocular blindness due to such incidents.[1] Developing countries bear a disproportionate burden of these injuries, with up to 5% of blindness attributed to workplace hazards.[1] Factors such as poor working conditions and inadequate safety precautions contribute to higher rates of ocular trauma in these regions, particularly among mechanics and welders who are exposed to various hazards like dust, radiation, and chemicals.[2] However, the majority of these injuries can be prevented by using appropriate eye protection such as safety goggles and face shields. Research indicates that strict adherence to safety measures, including the use of protective eyewear, can significantly reduce the occurrence of industrial ocular injuries by up to 90%.[3] While industrialized economies have seen a decline in work-related accidents due to compliance with occupational health and safety regulations, such regulations are often lacking in developing economies, exacerbating the risk for workers in these regions. occupational hazards that contribute to eye injuries among industrial workers.[4] These hazards include tasks that involve generating flying particles, sparks, dust, hazardous substances, or radiation, with grinding, welding, and hammering posing the highest risk. Additionally, activities such as cutting, spraying, smelting, sanding, chipping, or chiseling are also identified as high-risk. Workers in the metal industry, particularly steel workers, face severe hazards, with metal chips and welding arc rays being common causes of eye injuries. These injuries can range from mild to severe, potentially jeopardizing vision.[4] In developing nations, young adult males experience the highest rate of work-related eye injuries due to low utilization of personal protective equipment during high-risk tasks.[5] A recent study found that all patients with eye injuries from metallic foreign bodies at work recalled a specific incident leading to the injury, indicating preventability.[6] These findings underscore the urgent need for safety measures to prevent such injuries. Understanding the epidemiology of occupational eye injuries is vital for developing effective safety strategies in the workplace from a public health standpoint. While interventions to prevent these injuries exist, their effectiveness has been insufficiently reported in previous researches. Safety eyewear, such as goggles, is known to mitigate work-related eye injuries, yet compliance among workers remains low due to behavioral factors, lack of awareness, and inadequate availability or design of safety gear. Particularly among metal workers, safety eyewear usage is notably low, especially in regions like India.[7] Thereby, the present study aimed to evaluate ocular health and ophthalmic safety among the metal workers of Pital Nagri, Uttar Pradesh, and the long-term effectiveness of multifaceted intervention on the sa
Metal worker occupational health and safety ocular injuries