Risk Factors and Burden of Occupational Injuries Among Railway Wagon Repair Workers in Madhya Pradesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Occupational injuries continue to pose a significant public health challenge worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries such as India, where industrial safety measures frequently fail to keep pace with rapid infrastructural development. Railway wagon repair workers constitute a vulnerable population due to their exposure to mechanical, ergonomic, and environmental hazards. Objective The objective of the study is to assess the prevalence and severity of occupational injuries and identify associated sociodemographic and occupational factors among railway wagon repair workers in Datia, Madhya Pradesh. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2023 to June 2024 among 327 railway wagon repair workers who had sustained work-related injuries. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with Jamovi software. Injury severity was assessed using a custom 10-point scale. Multivariate linear and binary logistic regression models were employed to identify predictors of injury severity and injury occurrence, respectively. Results The prevalence of occupational injuries was 59.0% (N = 193). Male workers, older age groups, and unskilled workers reported a higher incidence of injury; however, these associations were not statistically significant. Only the type of occupation significantly predicted injury severity, with unskilled workers experiencing more severe injuries (β = 1.165; p = 0.008). No variable significantly predicted injury occurrence. Model fit for both severity (adjusted R² = 0.0134) and occurrence (McFadden's R² = 0.0178) was poor, suggesting that the identified factors explain only a small portion of the variability and that severity and occurrence are likely influenced by multiple unmeasured factors. These findings should, therefore, be interpreted with caution regarding their predictive value. Conclusion Unskilled workers face a higher risk of sustaining severe occupational injuries in railway wagon repair settings. Although no single factor independently predicted injury occurrence, the findings highlight the need for improved occupational safety practices, particularly through targeted skill development, strict enforcement of personal protective equipment (PPE) use, and customized safety training programs. Longitudinal studies using validated injury assessment tools are recommended to further clarify causal pathways.