Workers Awareness Related to Occupational Hazards of Ceramic Industry

Abstract

eramic dust generated by hot process in the ceramic factories, almost invisible to the naked eye and easily inhaled. Many of ceramic products contain a small percentage of amorphous silica. Chronic exposure may produce radiopaque deposits in the pulmonary system with little or no parenchymal reactions. Some individuals may exhibit allergenic reactions ranging from asthmatic symptoms to benign pneumoconiosis. Ceramic raw materials contain crystalline silica, which has been classified as carcinogenic to humans. After crystalline silica is exposed to temperature above 1600 F (870 C) cristobalite and tridymite are formed (Hnizdo & Sluis, 2014). Aim of the Study The aim of this study is to assess the workers awareness related to occupational hazards of ceramic industry through: 1- Assessing workers' knowledge about occupational hazards of ceramic industry. 2- Assessing workers' perception toward occupational hazards 3- Assessing workers' practices toward protection from occupational hazards Research Questions: - What's the workers' knowledge about occupational hazards? - Is there a relation between workers' knowledge and exposure to occupational hazards?