Ocular trauma in an iron forging industry in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

Occupational accidents occur in industry worldwide, and theKingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is no exception. However, accidentsare not routinely analyzed in this country and therefore theirextent and types remain unknown. The aim of this study was tocalculate the rates of ocular injuries in an iron forging factoryin the Eastern Province of the KSA. It also aimed at identifyingthe main causes of injury and the groups at risk. All ocularand non-ocular injuries that occurred during 1991 were reviewed.Data sources were the company's accident report and the employees'medical files. A total of 193 injuries were reported. Seventy-seven(39.9%) of these affected the eyes. The incident rate for ocularinjuries was 111.8 per 1,000 men exposed. The age group 33–42had the highest prevalence rate (55.8%) and 67.5% of the eyeinjuries involved employees with job experience of 11 monthsor less. Use of pneumatic chisels was among the most hazardousactivities. Projectile foreign bodies were responsible for 76.6%of the incidents. More than a third of the injured were notwearing eye protection. Avoidable factors, such as negligence,were major contributory factors. A training programme concerningsafety has much to commend it, and pneumatic chisels shouldbe replaced by other safer means.