Work-related injuries and occupational safety practices among sugar factory workers in Tanzania: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Work-related injuries are a significant public health and socioeconomic concern, with the International Labour Organization reporting 2.3 million deaths and 340 million injuries annually worldwide. This study examined work-related injuries and occupational safety practices among sugar factory workers in Tanzania. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted from January to February 2024, involved 338 workers from two Tanzanian sugar industries. Participants were recruited using systematic sampling. Data were collected via structured questionnaires and environmental observation checklists. SPSS version 27 was used for descriptive univariate and bivariate analyses, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Among 338 workers, 14.8% reported injuries during the previous production session, with 89.3% occurring while performing tasks outside their assigned duties. The main causes were hand tools (35.7%) and fire or hot substances (21.4%), with abrasions (42.9%) being the most common injury type, primarily affecting the arms or hands (32%). Work-related injuries were significantly associated with occupational factors. Higher injury prevalence was observed among workers with <5 years of experience (48.1%, p = 0.02), factory employees (68.9%, p = 0.001), those without Ocupation Safety and Health (OSH) supervision (26.0% vs 11.1%, p = 0.004), and workers not using personal protective equipment (58.0% vs 42.0%, p = 0.02). Conclusion: Work-related injuries was relatively low but mostly occurred during unassigned tasks. Strengthening workplace safety culture, ensuring consistent supervision, and promoting proper protective equipment use are essential to reducing work-related injuries.