Abstract (EN):
Woodworking industry sector in the state of Para, Brazil, represents one of the economic activities that more labour force absorbs. However, workers exposed are to high level occupational risks. These risks are commonly associated to dangerous machines and equipments. "Destopadeira" is a manually operated pull over cross-cut saw, being the basic safety procedure to fully cover the saw during the entire process. The purpose of this study is to analyze work-related accidents statistics caused by handling the "destopadeira" for the 1998-2005 period of time in the State of Para - Brazil and to determine its projection to the Amazon region. Data was available from the submitted "work-related deaths, major injuries and diseases" reports sent by employers regarding accidents with mentioned equipment, that were supplied by the following governmental agency "setor de Seguranca e Saude do Trabalho - Superintendencia Regional do Trabalho e Emprego - SRTE/PA. SE" The collected data, for the State of Para, underwent statistical analyses to determine the corresponding projection for the Amazon region. According to the collected data, it is possible to infer an average of five amputations every year, taking into consideration only the reported accidents with the destopadeira. This value doubles if circular saws in general are taken into account as well. But, given the fact that there is an obvious sub-notification of work related accidents in the Amazon region, this figure is expected to be several times higher. The Amazon region requires an occupational health and safety investment policy at several levels, namely risk prevention, safe and efficient working equipment and machinery and governmental supervision.
Language:
Portuguese
Type (Professor's evaluation):
Scientific
No. of pages:
4