Analysis of accidents in a steel industry in 7 years in Iran: a case study

Introduction: Considering the rising development of industries and technology and the resulting rise in workplace accidents and injuries, this study aimed to investigate and analyze the epidemiological events in the steel industry in Iran. Materials and Methods: This study was a descriptive-analytical investigation conducted to investigate work-related accidents in a steel factory in Iran over a period of 7 years, from 2016 to 2022. In this study, data were collected via documentation and interviews with individuals affected by the accident or those who witnessed it. Subsequently, data analysis was performed utilizing the demographic information of the victims (age, work experience, etc.), accident type, and cause of the accident using SPSS version 22 software. Additionally, the victims’ educational background, work shifts, and the timing of the accident were analyzed. Results: The results indicated that among 7251 workers, 130 accidents occurred over a span of7 years. The results showed that individuals with extensive work experience had the fewest accidents. A significant relationship was observed between lost work days and unsafe practices and conditions (P<0.001), with unsafe conditions exerting a more considerable influence on lost work days due to accidents. Additionally, the greatest harm to individuals resulted from impact with objects. Regarding the timing of the accidents, the highest number of accidents occurred in the fall and during the morning shift. Conclusion: In this study, the highest number of accidents was seen in individuals with under 5 years of work experience who had previously undergone safety training. The primary factors contributing to the accident were hazardous behavior and their interaction with unsafe conditions. Therefore, ongoing basic information and training for workers based on the changing environmental conditions, alongwith routine inspections, can improve safety and reduce unsafe practices in this industry.