Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Community Medicine

For years stone quarrying especially stone saw workshops have been known as highly hazardous work, whereby workers are affected by many debilitating occupational health hazards and diseases. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of work related health problems among palestinian stone cutting workers, and to investigate the association of the work conditions and risk factors to specific outcomes, which are work - related diseases like noise induced hearing loss (NIHL), pulmonary function impairment (PFI), dermatoses and musculoskeletal disorders as well as injuries. During April - June 2012, analytical cross - sectional study of 259 male workers, who were available at all stone-saw workshops (n = 42) located around the valley between Nablus and Tulkarm in the northern part of west Bank, palestine, were evaluated through interviews structured questionnaire, detailed history and clinical examination: occupational audiometry, spirometry, skin inspection and musculoskeletal disorders were performed. Environmental measurements were performed in form of noise level meter and air sampling

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