Occupational injuries in South African game parks and nature reserves, 2007-2019.

Introduction: Scientific data concerning the trends, nature, and incidence of occupational injuries (OIs) in the tourism sector specifically in the South African game parks and nature reserves is not easily available thus it is perceived that it is a safe working environment. The purpose of this study was to describe the trends and nature of occupational injuries (OIs) among employees in South African game parks and nature reserves and to investigate the risk of injuries to different body-regions for different demographic variables. Methods: electronic records from the Department of Employment and Labour's Compensation Fund, containing occupational injury cross sectional data of 1531 employees of game parks and nature reserves for a 13-year were analysed. Associations between occupational injuries, body-region of injury and demographic variables were assessed using the Chi-square test of independence and Bayesian analysis. Results: there was gradual increase in the number of OIs over the period under study. There was a weak association between the body regions affected by OIs and the provinces (X2 pearson(42)=91.95,p<0.001,VCramer=0.07). The association between the categories of body regions affected by OIs and gender was weak (X2 pearson(6)=20.51,p<0.05,VCramer=0.09). Conclusion: the number of OIs recorded by Department of Employment and Labour's Compensation Fund increased over the 13-year period. The body regions affected by an OI were dependent on gender and the province where the game parks and nature reserves were located. There is a need to increase safety and prevention measures that ensure the protection of the body regions that have a high risk of injury based on gender and provinces. Future research should consider more comprehensive work-related variables that can influence OIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]