[Prevention of occupational injuries in foundries: multidisciplinary intervention and evaluation of effectiveness].
BACKGROUND
There is a lack of field studies aimed at reducing occupational injuries (OI), particularly in foundries.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate effectiveness of multidisciplinary intervention in foundries.


METHODS
The study was carried out in two foundries (cast-iron=A, non-ferrous=B). Since 1999-2000, a multidisciplinary intervention was developed, by a team managed by the occupational physician, including safety personnel and workers' representatives. Interventions regarded maintenance, protective equipment, procedures, training, health surveillance (HS), fitness for work, first aid. The desired outcome was a reduction in injury rates.


RESULTS
In foundries A and B, respectively 522 and 90 OI occurred in 1997-2007, accounting for 10,500 and 2,300 lost work days. Statistical analysis showed a significant decrease in incidence and frequency in both foundries. HS allowed for human factor and fitness for work evaluation, return-to-work management. Safety culture, behaviour and procedures positively changed.


CONCLUSIONS
The study was effective in reducing OI rates and improving a number of secondary outcomes. The same intervention, taking into account Evidence Based Prevention, is ongoing in about 50 foundries.
Porru
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Sezione di Medicina del Lavoro e Igiene Industriale - Università di Brescia. porru@med.unibs.it
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D000056:Accident Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007318:Inservice Training; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008669:Metallurgy; D015279:Organizational Culture; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation; D017132:Workplace