Occupational Health and Safety among Coal Mine Workers Union Council Kurez District Orakzai, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

Background: Occupational accidents are characterized as unexpected, undesirable events in the workplace that result in or have the potential to cause unintended harm or significant injury to the body. Objectives: This study was aimed to assess the knowledge of occupational health and safety among coal mine workers and its association with demographic variables in UC Kuraiz, district Orakzai, Pakistan. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried at UC Kuraiz, district Orakzai, Pakistan. A total of 303 coal mine workers were selected through non-probability purposive sampling for data collection. Data regarding assessment of occupational health and safety among coal mine workers was collected using a validated tool. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. Pearson Chi-square test of Independence was applied to find out the assessment of occupational health and safety among coal mine workers. Results: Results of the study showed that among 303 respondents, majority of them were from age group >50 years (n=113, 35.61%) and belong to the single marital status (n=180, 40%). A significant number were primary pass (n=110, 36.30%) and had a monthly income of 20000 (n=105, 34.65%). The majority of respondents had been employed in the mine for the past two years (n=115, 37.95%). Notably, the results revealed a poor awareness among coal mine workers regarding occupational health and safety was (n=173, 57.09%). Physical examination of mostly workers exhibited blood pressure readings range from 120 80 (n=130, 42.90%) and majority of them have respiratory issues (n=120, 60%). The study v also demonstrated that years of working in mine and place of work were statistically significant (p-value=0.000) with assessment of occupational health and safety among coal mine workers. Others demographic variables like marital and employment status, any clinical condition, number of workers working together were not statistically significant (p-value>0.05). Conclusion: A recent study concluded that a significant number of coal mine workers demonstrated poor awareness of occupational health and safety. The study identified several socio-demographic factors such as age, educational background, workplace, and years of experience in the mine, which were significantly associated with the evaluation of occupational health and safety among coal mine workers. Keywords: Coal Mine Workers, District Orakzai, Occupational Health, Safety, UC Kuraiz, Pakistan.