A risk intensive sector: Analysis of the occupational accidents in an automative factory [Ri·sk yogun sektör: Bi·r otomoti·v fabri·kasinda 2007 yili i·ş kazalarinin degerlendi· ri·lmesi·]

• Objective: Automotive sector in Turkey is a risk-intensive sector classified under the IV Risk Group. Our study was planned in order to analyze the records of the occupational accidents in 2007 and share our findings. • Material and Method: All records of the occupational accidents that occurred in a privately-owned automotive factory in Adana between 2004 and 2007 were obtained. Interviews were made with people who experienced occupational accident and the processes performed following the accident and their consequences were analyzed and reported. Our study is a cross- sectional, retrospective and descriptive- qualitative one. • Results: There were 2025 workers; including 1334 (64.9%) blue collars and 712 white collars (35.1%) in the factory. Following the efforts to improve the work health and safety under the scope of this system, a decrease by 61.1% in the number of occupational accidents was achieved in 2007 in comparison to that of 2004, in addition to a decrease by 63.9% in the loss of labor day. It was found that most of the accidents occurred between 10.00-11.00 am (14.5%): in September and on the mechanical line (19.0%). The most frequently seen accident type was cutting and excoriating by 43.0%. • Conclusion: It is utmost necessary that occupational accidents occurred are analyzed and relevant measures are taken in order to prevent the accidents in all enterprises, primarily the intensive-risk enterprises. Development and implementation of such practices will have significant contribution to the enterprises and the country, but primarily for the individuals in terms of human resources and economic benefits