Injuries and Usage of Personal Protective Equipment among Welders in Brikama, The Gambia

Globally, injuries have not been recognized as a public health concern. Welding has been identified as a high-risk profession according to the ranking of occupations-based injuries. Adherence to safety measures and practice among welders are potential ways of preventing occupational injuries. The study aimed to describe welding-related injuries and utilization of safety measures among welders in Brikama. The study is a descriptive cross–sectional study. A structured and semi-structured questionnaire was administered as well as direct observation and interview. The study population consisted of 271 welders within Brikama, in The Gambia. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 20.0).The descriptive statistics was used to summarize the data. Analytical statistic test was used to test for association using the chi-square at 95% significant level. Multivariable regression analysis was done to examine the predictors of welding related injuries. The prevalence of occupational injuries was found to be 91.1%. Only 57.6% of the study participants were found to have always used personal protective equipment (PPE) with goggles (94.8%) as the most protective device utilized; 97.8% of the respondents reported that the welding profession is hazardous. Educational status and type of training on-the-job among respondents were found to be statistically associated (p=0.032, 0.042) with those who suffered from welding related injuries. Occupational injuries are preventable during welding. The training type, level of experience and attitude during work can significantly reduce injuries