[Clinical epidemiologic study of occupational risks in small- and mid-size businesses in Bacău County].

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to identify and quantify the health risk factors in small and middle enterprises (SME) in Bacău, which represent 5.5% of the total number of enterprises, employing about 29% of the total workforce in Bacău.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: Two questionnaires have been administered, first asking for general information about the company and second, asking for data about current exposure, according to the reports required by the Ministry of Health. Workplaces were visited and analyzed through direct observation.

RESULTS

The most important risk factors, found in 22% of the employees in small enterprises and 31% of employees in middle enterprises, are visual strain, musculoskeletal strain and exposure to textile dust. The measurements showed exposure over the threshold limit for silica dust, wood dust, noise and organic solvents in 35% of cases.

CONCLUSION

The study resulted in a useful database for increasing the quality of occupational health services provided to employees in SMEs and offered the possibility to compare data with other geographical areas of our country and worldwide.