Risk Perception and Occupational Accidents among a Group of Egyptian Construction Workers in a Construction Company in Cairo.

Background: Construction sector is one of the main pillars of the global economy, even though it is a risky business in which fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries occur frequently. Information about workers’ awareness about health and safety hazards, risk perception and safe work practices can help to understand where to apply prevention strategies. Unfortunately, construction sites are workplaces with limited access for research; studies at work level represent 2.28% of all available research. Objectives: To estimate the perception of construction workers to the occupational hazards, to identify types of common occupational accidents involving construction workers in an Egyptian company and to identify the workers’ personal and work related characteristics determinants on their risk perception. Material and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among construction workers in one of the projects in Cairo. During the period from January to August 2018; a sample of 104 workers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire inquiring about socio-demographic characteristics, work related variables  together with assessment of workers’ risk perception. Results: the majority of the workers had low risk perception for falls, contact with chemicals, struck by objects, sharp objects, manual lifting, repetitive movements and heat stress, while the noise was reported as “ no or acceptable risk category”. The study identified age, health and safety training, working hours and the use of PPEs as significantly related factors to risk perception. Conclusion:risk perception among studied workers in average is low. Older age, prolonged working hours, lack of training and not wearing PPEs are significant risk factors shaping workers’ perception. Recommendation: safety training and change of work environment may improve workers’ perception toward occupational accidents and subsequently reduce the risk of injuries.