The informal non-food manufacturing sector is an engine of growth and development in both developed and developing countries. The sector is unregulated and unregistered in official government statistics. However this particular sector is faced with occupational safety and health hazards without preventive measures. The study assessed knowledge and attitudes on practices of occupational safety and health in the informal non-food manufacturing sector in Kampala City, Uganda. It adopted across sectional survey design that involved both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. A total of 424 firms were sampled from the 6 clusters of the informal sector. Respondents were moderately knowledgeable on hazards with 39.7% compared to 25.5% who reported high level of exposure. Overall the knowledge on occupational safety and health hazards was inadequate while attitude especially on the use of PPE was poor. There was a high level on knowledge towards hazard control measures by complying with the safety measures (PPE 52.6% and good housekeeping 54.4%) although no significant difference was observed in their adherence to control measures. Attitude towards the use of control measures was found to moderate with PPE 62.9% and good housekeeping 61.1% Creation of awareness, training, and application of Occupational Safety and Health Regulations, inspection and enforcement by the relevant regulatory agency as well as proactive multi-media strategies to improve the situation is recommended.
The informal non-food manufacturing sector is an engine of growth and development in both developed and developing countries. It’s unregulated and unregistered in official government statistics. However, this particular sector is faced with occupational safety and health hazards without preventive measures. A number of factors affect compliance with control measures. The study assessed factors influencing non-compliance to occupational safety and health practices in the informal non-food manufacturing sector in Kampala, Uganda. The purpose of the study was to acquire occupational safety and health data on the informal sector and identify needed interventions for mitigation. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted with qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques in 424 firms. Chi-square analysis showed occupational safety and health was good among male respondents compared to females (p<0.05. c2 =23.9), use of Personal Protective Equipment (c2 =40.393, p<0.000), education level (c2 =147.3, p< 0.000), period working at the enterprise (p<0.05. c2 = 87.5, p=0.002) the period spent working provides experience to workers hence better equipped to manage occupational safety and health. Hours spent at work (p<0.05. c2 =19.8), due to less fatigue and exhaustion. Multivariate logistic regression showed that respondents who were 31-40 years old had significantly reduced odds (COR 0.0467-0.0478) of practising occupational safety and health practices at work and able to employ good occupational safety and health practices at work, compared to below 30 and above 50 years. Men in general employed safe practices of occupational safety and health than women (COR 0.0918-0.0997) hence safer at work due to higher literacy in men. Adequate knowledge and awareness had (COR 0.860-0.863) knowledge empowers workers about hazards prevention, usually provided through training by employers. Duration of work (COR 1.189-1.10) as result of experience in managing hazards at work coupled by supervision over time. Use of personal protective equipment (COR of 0.0317- 0.0319) being cheap. Creation of awareness, safe work practices Provision and use of PPE and provision of occupational safety and health (OSH) regulations, as well as proactive multi-media strategies to improve the situation is required.
The informal non-food manufacturing sector is an engine of growth and development in both developed and developing countries. This particular sector is unregulated and unregistered in official government statistics. It is a heterogeneous sector found in open places, road reserves and marginal lands. However the sector is faced with occupational safety and health hazards without preventive measures. The study assessed occupational safety and health hazards in the informal non-food manufacturing sector in Kampala City, Uganda. The study adopted a cross sectional survey design that involved both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. A total of 424 firms were sampled from the 6 clusters of the informal sector. Primary and secondary sources using questionnaires, checklists and interview guide were used in data collection. Various types of hazards inherent in the informal non-food manufacturing sector in Kampala that included; physical, chemical, mechanical, biological, ergonomic and psychosocial hazards were identified. There are a lot of hazards in the informal non-food manufacturing sector with inadequate preventive measures. Hence the urgent need to address the situation by creation of awareness, training, and provision of OSH regulations, inspection and enforcement by the relevant regulatory agency as well as proactive multi-media strategies to improve the situation.
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