Health Hazards of Excessive Light and Utilization of Safety Measures among Small Scale Welders in Nigeria

L. S. Sadiq^1, , A. Sabo¹, K. Ibrahim¹ and A. Abdulsamad¹

¹Department of Environmental Management Technology, Faculty of Environmental Technology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, PMB 0248, Bauchi, Bauchi State Nigeria

Cite this paper:
L. S. Sadiq, A. Sabo, K. Ibrahim and A. Abdulsamad. Health Hazards of Excessive Light and Utilization of Safety Measures among Small Scale Welders in Nigeria. Journal of Environment Pollution and Human Health. 2018; 6(1):26-30. doi: 10.12691/jephh-6-1-4

Abstract

Welding is associated with various occupational hazards, such as high-intensity lights, which results in severe consequences on health, particularly on visual acuity of workers performing their task. This study assessed the impact of excessive light on the health of welders and their use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Cross-sectional study was conducted among 80 welders that were randomly selected in Yalwa and Gwallameji districts of Bauchi metropolis, Bauchi State, Nigeria using a validated self-administered questionnaire and the Snellen’s chart for the data collection. The study showed that most of the respondents scored below average 20/20 (1.0) in the Snellen’s chart test. Majority of the respondents (60%) never used PPE. The most reported health symptoms by more than half of the respondents were eyes irritation, watery eyes and eye strain. There was a positive correlation for age, and year of experience with vision acuity test (p < 0.005 and <0.001 respectively). An inverse relationship was recorded for the use of PPE and reported health symptoms (p <0.05). The study revealed that welders were slightly experiencing ocular disorders. Thus, welders should be encouraged to the use of PPE in their work in order to avert these health impacts.

Keywords:
welding health impacts light pollution personal protective equipment

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