Occupational injuries requiring admission to a trauma unit were examined to outline the events surrounding the injury and to examine the costs. Sixty-nine patients were admitted over a 12-month period, representing 4.30% of all work-related injuries attending the emergency department and 4.25% of all admissions to the trauma unit. Most were male (91%), working in skilled trade occupations (65%), with a mean age of 38.8 years. Personal protective equipment was used only by 46% of injured workers who should have been using it. Sixty-one percent of patients believed that their injury was preventable. Half of the injuries were to the upper limb, fall was the most frequent mechanism (25%) and the median duration of admission was 2 days. The direct hospital costs were estimated at over 300 000 GBP. Failure to use protective equipment and to follow health and safety guidelines suggests that opportunities exist for injury prevention.
Much of the research in high-altitude medicine has been concerned with non-indigenous travellers; no study has examined the work-related health issues of high altitude mountain guides (Sherpas) in Nepal. This pilot study was performed to investigate the work-related health issues of people working as Sherpas by evaluating their perceptions of their general health and its relation to work. An occupational and general health questionnaire was tailored for the Sherpas following a focus group with five Sherpa workers. 131 Sherpas participated in this study. Respiratory (60%) and musculoskeletal symptoms (55%) were reported significantly more frequently than other health problems (p < .05). 33 Sherpas reported work accident experiences (25%) and 27 (21%) reported eye conditions. This pilot study identified respiratory and musculoskeletal problems as well as accidents as the main work-related health issues of high altitude climbing Sherpas. Another important finding was the high prevalence of reported eye conditions (21%). Better occupational health and safety arrangements including routine recording of accidents or work-related health problems would give better insight into the health needs of Sherpas.
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