Occupational and non-occupational risk factors in occupational hand injuries

Background: Hand injuries are the most common bodily traumas sustained at work and are always preventable. Different occupational and non-occupational risk factors may predispose to these grave events; identification and modifying them has a critical role in prevention of the accidents. This study was carried out to evaluate the association between these factors and hand injuries. Materials and Methods: In this case control study 82 industrial workers with occupational hand injuries from Tehran nearby factories were compared with eighty-three controls. Working circumstances were assessed using a detailed occupational and non-occupational (individual and socio-psychological factors) questionnaire. Data were analyzed with chi-square and t-test. Results: Rotational shift work (P=0.027), lack of a close relationship between the workers, lack of training, availability and using safety equipments are statistically significant risk factors related to hand injuries (P=0.006). There is no significant relationship between individual and familial factors and hand injuries. Conclusion: Availability of safety equipments and their proper use are the most important preventive factors for hand injury. Lack of close relationship between workers can also be regarded as a significant risk factor. Keywords: Hand, Injury, Equipment, Shift work,