Abstract
Objective: To assess health problems among
pneumatic hand-held drill workers of National
highways.
Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study
was done from 1st Feb to 30th Nov 2017. Sample size
consisted of 300 persons working on various sections
of national highway who were randomly selected: 150
rock drill workers and 150 office workers were
considered as controls, same age group. Subjects were
briefly interviewed to determine subjective symptoms
using self-constructed questionnaire and followed by
clinical examination. Microsoft Word and Excel were
used for the data analysis.
Results: The prevalence of health problems among
hand held pneumatic drill workers was 82%. Among
these 82%, 22 (26%) were between 22 – 27years of
age, 20 (24.39%) 28 – 33years of age and 40 (48.78%)
more than 33years. Among 82% having health
problems, 53% were having 5 – 8years of work
experience and 29% were having work experience
more than 8 years.
Conclusion: Permanent vibration exposures result in
bad effects on health, leading to inability to carry out
daily routine activities. It is also important for
occupational physicians to ask their patients about
occupational exposures when they present with various
problems.
Keywords: Drill workers, osteoarthritis,
musculoskeletal, vibration syndrome, carpal tunnel
syndrome.
