599 Perceptions of occupational health and safety in small and medium scale enterprises in lagos state, and the nigerian ohs laws

Abstract

standards. In contrast, in the informal economy there are diverse and atypical places of work (for example street vendors in public places, industrial outworkers in their own homes or in small informal factories), status in employment (self-employed versus wage workers). These and other differences present profound challenges to the formal profession and practice of OHS. A five year, seven country study sought to understand the growing gap between what OHS conventionally provides, and what informal workers need or find useful for the improvement of their working conditions and well-being. Methods WIEGO and its affiliates in Brazil, Ghana, India, Peru, South Africa, Tanzania, and Thailand focused on two occupational sectors in each country, selected from street vendors, headload porters, domestic workers, waste pickers, and home-based workers. Country situation analyses of the informal economy, and the provision of OHS, were followed by extensive engagement in participatory research with informal workers. Bridging platforms were used where specific OHS issues could be discussed by informal workers and authorities together. Discussion We worked in collaboration with contacts inside and outside of government departments, member-based organisations, NGOs, trade unions and others. In-country researchers and organisations explored inter alia the reform of local market regulations to control the weights carried by men porters, the installation of first aid stands in built markets, improved access for women head porters to a national health insurance scheme, child care provision, skill upgrading for better incomes, and the development of improved work equipment. The paper concludes with a consideration of what role an influential organisation such as ICOH could play in promoting an OHS that could include categories of informal employment. Introduction The paper will discuss a community financing based wellness model, piloted amongst drivers in Lagos State. The model builds on the hub and spoke investment model and utilises 'susu' a traditional micro-finance mechanism as an entry point. The model integrates protection from workrelated safety and health hazards with promotion of injury and illness prevention efforts to advance worker well-being. 580Based on a needs assessment, the primary initiative was to establish a wellness intervention targeting a cross section of drivers involved in organised and unorganised micro and small enterprises in Lagos State. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted on the first cohort (45) of 3 based on a convenience sample. A selfadministered, close-ended questionnaire recorded the participant's personal characteristics, health status, and health interests. Blood pressure and blood sugar levels were taken by trained volunteers. A repeat evaluation after the 6 month deployment of the program is planned. Key informant interviews and a satisfaction survey is planned.Results Preliminary baseline results amongst others indicate that a significant percentage of the drivers smoked cigarette...