Occupational injury prevalence and predictors among small-scale sawmill workers in the Sokoban Wood Village, Kumasi, Ghana

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298954
• Publication Date: 2024-04-10T17:31:57Z
• Authors: Felix Agyemang Opoku; Douglas Aninng Opoku; Nana Kwame Ayisi-...; Joseph Osarfo; Alhassan Sulemana; Sheneil Agyemang; Obed Kwabena Offe...; Michael Tetteh As...; Robert Gyebi; Peter Agyei-Baffour
• Keywords: Occupational injury; Personal Protective Equipment; Cross-sectional study; Odds

Background Sawmill workers are at increased risk of occupational injuries due to their exposure workplace hazards. However, little is known about the burden among them in Ghana. Understanding its prevalence and associated factors necessary design appropriate interventions improve workers’ health safety. This study sought determine with small-scale sawmill Sokoban Wood Village, Kumasi. Methods A cross-sectional was conducted 138 from December 2020 January 2021. Data collected on demographic work-related characteristics including age, sex, personal protective equipment (PPE), workspace design, lighting. The primary outcome 12 months preceding survey. Logistic regression method used assess for independent predictors injuries, associations were deemed statistically significant p < 0.05. Results Approximately 66.7% experienced within study. Cuts (69.6%) most commonly reported injuries. Injuries mainly caused by machine parts/sharp objects (47.8%) being hit logs/objects (46.8%). Only 40.7% always using PPE while legs (38.0%) hands (37.0%) common body parts injured. worker’s monthly income, poor lighting had odds an increase age a 5% decreased Conclusion Village high, this calls prioritization safety workplace. Essential measures required include improvements tools,