RESUMO
The objectives of this prospective, 4-month study were to determine the incidence and types of injuries at Guymine (a bauxite mining company) and evaluate the factors which predispose to injuries at the work site. From June 1 to September 30, 1991, 86.5 percent (77) of all full-time employees referred for involvement in an industrial accident were seen by one of the investigators and information on the injury was collected, using a designed questionaire. There were 69 males and 8 females and most of the injured were in the age ranges 20-24 and 35-44 years. The incidence rate (IR) in males was 29.5/1,000 and 8/1,000 in females. The IR was highest in labourers (220/1,000), increased with increasing work experience and was highest in the mines (58.4/1,000). Most accidents occurred during the day-light hours and injuries most frequently involved the hands and fingers. Hazardous practices by workers and defective agencies were the main predisposing factors. Forty-four point four per cent of work sites were in a poor condition. About one year of work time was lost due to injuries during the study (AU)
