Eye injuries at Malta Drydocks : a study about their causes, prevention and costs

Abstract

This study attempts to identify those factors relevant to eye injury causation and prevention at MDD, and to suggest measures to reduce these injuries. This was achieved by analyzing all 1998 eye injury accidents, as well as through interviews, observations and inspections. An insight is also given of the economic costs that such injuries cause to the organization, thus providing another incentive for their prevention. An estimate of Lm13745.00 was calculated to constitute the direct costs of these injuries, which totalled a number of 357 reported eye injuries. As in many other situations, no single universal panacea will solve such multi-faceted problems, but rather a combination of preventive strategies taken through engineering and administrative controls, which together with ergonomic considerations will help in reducing these accidents and injuries. It is in this context that this study has endeavoured to reach its objectives. Health and Safety problems face obstacles which also need to be addressed through education. A change in attitude can be reared slowly and nourished gently through education which must start at an early age in schools and continue at the workplace by means of "on-going" campaigns. This change in culture will pave the way by providing the right perspective to workers and supervisors from whom these issues depends so much on.