Citation

Rabi AZ, Al-Homran WK, Abudhaise BA, Alwash RH. Safety Sci. 1996; 24(2): 111-119.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

All Jordanian permanent disability (PD) cases compensated by the Social Security Corporation (SSC) during 1992 were analyzed. Factors considered in the analysis included gender, degree of disability, age, occupation, part of body injured, and causes of injuries leading to PD. Out of 898 PD cases, 95% were males. The following levels of PD: 75%, were prevalent among 60%, 36%, and 4% of the cases, respectively. Most of the PD cases (62.5%) were over 45 years old. Skilled workers constituted 57.6% of the cases studied. In the distribution of PD cases according to the injured body part, the upper extremities took the lead with 53.1% of the cases, lower extremities 38.7%, thorax and abdomen 35.3%, and head 31.5%. Fall of persons caused 34.4% of the PD cases, followed by mechanical equipment (22.4%). The contributing causes, arranged in order of significance, were task errors, inadequate training, lack of supervision, insufficient instructions, and unsafe working conditions. It is concluded that work-related PDs are a serious public health problem in Jordan. Greater accident control and disability prevention efforts targeting high-risk groups and causes are needed.