Work related injuries in Qatar: a framework for prevention and control

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Public Health
• Workplace Safety

Background:

• Work-related injuries (WRIs) are a growing global concern, especially in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• Rapid economic development in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Qatar, has led to a large migrant workforce facing high rates of WRIs, particularly in construction and petrochemical sectors.
• Despite economic and health advancements, there's a notable lack of empirical research on the burden, characteristics, and risk factors of WRIs among migrant workers in GCC nations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current understanding of WRIs in GCC countries.
• To identify gaps in existing workplace injury prevention strategies.
• To outline WRI prevention efforts in Qatar and propose a framework for multi-sectoral engagement.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of current understanding and prevention efforts concerning WRIs in GCC countries.
• Analysis of existing approaches to workplace injury prevention.
• Development of a proposed framework for multi-sectoral action.

Main Results:

• There is a scarcity of empirical studies on WRIs, their burden, characteristics, and risk factors in GCC countries, particularly concerning the large migrant worker population.
• Current approaches to WRI prevention in the region face challenges and have identified gaps.
• Qatar's current WRI prevention efforts require enhancement.

Conclusions:

• Addressing WRIs in GCC countries necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the issue, especially for migrant laborers.
• A concerted, multi-sectoral approach is crucial for effective workplace injury prevention.
• Further research and targeted interventions are needed to improve occupational health and safety in Qatar and similar GCC nations.