Objectives: To evaluate occupational risks at the Abass Ndao Hospital Center.
Methodology: This was an observational, descriptive study conducted in internal medicine in July 2021. Data collection was based on direct interviews and observation of work situations using a pre-established questionnaire containing all the parameters of PRRA in a hospital environment.
Results: Out of 118 agents, the sex ratio (M/F) was 0.66 and the average age was 36.49 years. Our agents were medical (35.6%) and support staff (64.4%). Biological products were handled in 35.6% and 38.1% used sharp equipment and recapping was practiced in 31.6%. AES were reported in 9.3% and Covid-19 infection in 8.4%. About 87.2% reported awkward postures. Musculoskeletal disorders were reported in 68.6%, handling of heavy loads in 77.1% and electrical risk in 90.7%. The agents were exposed to irritating (100%), corrosive (60%), toxic (33%) and flammable (100%) products, mainly by the cutaneous, respiratory and ocular routes. Approximately 33.8% of the workers suffered from varying degrees of professional stress and 67.8% declared that they were victims of violence, especially verbal violence. Only 5% said that their remuneration met their expectations.
Conclusion: Work-related nuisances are frequent, varied and of varying severity in health facilities. It is urgent to implement corrective and preventive actions to ensure the health and safety of workers and patients.
Objectives: To identify and assess the risks in the production unit of a peanut oil extraction plant in Senegal.
Methodology: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from May 30 to June 31, 2022 in the production unit of a peanut oil extraction plant in Ziguinchor. A multi-pronged questionnaire (socio-professional aspects, risk identification) and direct observation of work situations enabled the data to be collected. The level of risk for each of the identified risks was obtained by cross-referencing the rating of the criticality of the risk factor with the rating of the existence and effectiveness of the available means of prevention in order to establish a hierarchy of the identified hazards.
Results: Our study population (n = 69) was exclusively male, with an average age of 46.4 +/- 9.5 years, and 5.48 +/- 2.7 years. Individuals aged 56 to 60 were most represented (24.6%). The majority of workers were seasonal (88%). Workers were subjected to high and permanent noise levels, and the moving and hazardous parts of the machinery put 62.32% of the personnel at risk of injury and amputation. Dust cover was 30.43% of the workers and the risk of explosion fire was present. Shift work accounted for 85.5% of workers. Noise, hexane vapours and moving and hazardous parts of the machines had the highest ratings in the risk hierarchy.
Conclusion: The peanut oil extraction sector faces many risk factors. Beyond primary prevention, stronger occupational health and safety policies must be promoted.
Objectives: To identify occupational risks factors in the artisanal dyeing factories of Bamako and to propose appropriate preventive measures.
Equipment and methods: This is a prospective and descriptive study conducted over a period of 6 months, from April to September 2014, among dyers in Bamako. The study instrument was a 24-item questionnaire on socio-professional characteristics and data analysis was performed by the Epi Info software, version 6.4.
Results: Our study population was 100 dyers with a sex ratio of 5.67 in favour of women (17 women for 3 men). The average age was 31.9 years with extremes of 15 and 70 years. Married people were in the majority with 70% and 38% of the dyers had between 1 and 3 children. The dyers were enrolled in school in 44% of cases, 30% of which were in Arabic. Soakers were more numerous with 43%, followed by rinsers 28% and blenders 15%. The majority had no professional qualification, i.e. 94%, and 48% had more than 5 years of experience in the profession. The main risks were repetitive movements and manual handling 100%, noise 98%, lack of lighting 96%, chemical risks 94%, dermatological risks 93%, falls on the same level 74%, puncture wounds 66%, lack of PPE 38% and musculoskeletal disorders 76%.
Conclusion: Our study shows the diversity of occupational risks present in the craft sector, hence the urgent need to regulate this sector and implement an effective prevention policy.