Author:

• Cláudia Giglio de Oliveira Gonçalves - Gonçalves, C.G.O. - Curitiba, Paraná - Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná - <clgiglio@terra.com.br>

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Abstract:

The occurrence of work-related accidents is associated to several different factors. Understanding it becomes then a difficult task for health professionals, but necessary to guide preventive measures. Objective: to describe, by quantitative and qualitative methods, industrial accidents occurred during three years in a steel mill hinterland to understand its possible causes. Method: it is a case study in a metallurgic plant; 336 accidents were studied in a 3-year period by means of three procedures: analysis of accidents’ registers, interviews with 166 hurt workers, and the organization of Focal Groups (111 workers) for discussion. Results:the ratio of yearly incidence of accidents was 16.9%; 75 cases required more than 15 out-of-work days; 51.2% occurred in the morning, and affected boilermakers (48.2%). Among interviewed workers, average schooling was 8.8 years, age varied from 31-50 years (55.4%), 64.5% of workers had already suffered more than one accident. Besides, workers exposed to intense noise (+90dBA) were the most affected (53%). In the focal groups, perceptions and feelings of workers regarding the accidents were identified that had not appeared in the previous stages. Conclusion: focal groups allow for a better identification of factors that may contribute for accidents such as performance pressures, extra-hours of work, low wages, and precarious conditions of work and work organization.
Key-words: Occupational health; occupational accidents; occupational risks

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