Knowledge and practice of preventive measures in small industries in Al-Khobar.
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 equipment 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%).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Taha
A Z
AZ
Department of Family & Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016272:Occupational Health; D011482:Protective Devices; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017132:Workplace