Citation

Bull N, Hovding G, Riise T, Moen BE. Tidsskr. Nor. Laegeforen. 2004; 124(21): 2776-2779.

Vernacular Title

Kan arbeidsrelaterte oyeskader unngas?

Affiliation

Oyeavdelingen Haukeland Universitetssykehus 5021 Bergen nils.bull@uib.no.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Norske Laegeforening)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

15534674

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The eyes are among the organs most frequently hurt in occupational injuries. The characteristics of eye injuries were studied in order to suggest preventive measures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analyses were performed on work-related eye injuries reported to the Norwegian Injury Surveillance System from a selection of emergency centres during the period 1990 - 2002, and on injuries reported by employers to the National Insurance Administration 1998 - 2001. RESULTS: The occurrence of injuries was stable over the period. Men sustained 94.4 % of the injuries registered in injury surveillance system. The highest incidence was among those 20 to 24 years of age. Metal cutters and tools for polishing were involved in 25.7 % of cases. Analyses of the injuries reported to the National Insurance Administration showed an odds ratio of 8.8 (95 % CI 7.6 - 10.1) for injuries to workers in metal industry, 18.8 (95 % CI 17.0 - 20.8) in automotive industry, and only 0.5 (95 % CI 0.1 - 3.4) in oil refineries. Workers in oil refineries have a potentially hazardous work environment, but there, eye protection is mandatory. INTERPRETATION: There was no decline in the incidence of work-related eye injuries from 1990 to 2002. Workers in metal industry have a high risk of injuries and employers should consider requiring the use of eye protection.