Occupational Hazards and Safety Measures Amongst the Paint Factory Workers in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

BackgroundThe manufacture of paint involves a variety of processes that present with medical hazards. Safety initiatives are hence introduced to limit hazard exposures and promote workplace safety. This aim of this study is to assess the use of available control measures/initiatives in selected paint factories in Lagos West Senatorial District, Nigeria.MethodsA total of 400 randomly selected paint factory workers were involved in the study. A well-structured World Health Organization standard questionnaire was designed and distributed to the workers to elicit information on awareness to occupational hazards, use of personal protective devices, and commonly experienced adverse symptoms. Urine samples were obtained from 50 workers randomly selected from these 400 participants, and the concentrations of the heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, and chromium) were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy.ResultsThe results show that 72.5% of the respondents are aware of the hazards associated with their jobs; 30% have had formal training on hazards and safety measures; 40% do not use personal protective devices, and 90% of the respondents reported symptoms relating to hazard exposure. There was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) increase in the mean heavy metal concentrations in the urine samples obtained from paint factory workers as compared with nonfactory workers.ConclusionThe need to develop effective frameworks that will initiate the integration and ensure implementation of safety regulations in paint factories is evident. Where these exist, there is a need to promote adherence to these practice guidelines.

Occupational health and safety practices and associated factors among workers in Ethiopia’s Metehara and Wonji sugar industries: a convergent parallel mixed design

“…In contrast, according to our study findings, the proportion of workers reporting good occupational health and safety practices was higher than in previous studies conducted in Ethiopia, 34 56 Ghana, 57 Nigeria, [58][59][60] Sri Lanka, 61 Poland, 62 Bangladesh 63 and India. 41 64 The dissimilarities could be explained by the study design employed, the period and the dimensions of safety measures explored, all of which could be factors in this mismatch.…”

Occupational health and safety practices and associated factors among workers in Ethiopia’s Metehara and Wonji sugar industries: a convergent parallel mixed design

“…In contrast, according to our study findings, the proportion of workers reporting good occupational health and safety practices was higher than in previous studies conducted in Ethiopia, 34 56 Ghana, 57 Nigeria, [58][59][60] Sri Lanka, 61 Poland, 62 Bangladesh 63 and India. 41 64 The dissimilarities could be explained by the study design employed, the period and the dimensions of safety measures explored, all of which could be factors in this mismatch.…”

Correlative study on the effect of toxic paint chemicals on the hepatorenal of paint factory workers in Enugu, Nigeria

“…The study reported that only 20% of the participants use hand gloves, 7.5% goggles, 52.5% safety boots, 20% dust masks and 36.25% factory gown. This finding was in agreement with the work of Awodele et al[27] which reported a lack of adequate work safety practices in paint factories of Lagos west senatorial district of Nigeria.…”

Cytogenetic Biomonitoring and Immunocytochemical Studies on Car Spray Painters in Enugu Metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria

“…In the present study, a greater percentage of the exposed participants spent 5-10 h daily in their workplace, this may have also attributed to the significantly higher frequency of MN among those that have worked as car spray painters for 5-10 years, 11-15 years, and above 15 years when compared to those who have worked for <5 years. This suggests a positive correlation between the increased MN frequency and the number of years of exposure/frequency of exposure which is similar to the findings documented by a previous study which showed an increased MN frequency with a positive correlation with increased period of exposure in motor garage workers [2]. Car spray painters who have worked for more than 15 years had a higher frequency of BNC when compared to those who have worked for <5 years.…”

Occupational health and safety practices and associated factors among workers in Ethiopia’s Metehara and Wonji sugar industries: a convergent parallel mixed design

“…In contrast, according to our study findings, the proportion of workers reporting good occupational health and safety practices was higher than in previous studies conducted in Ethiopia, 34 56 Ghana, 57 Nigeria, [58][59][60] Sri Lanka, 61 Poland, 62 Bangladesh 63 and India. 41 64 The dissimilarities could be explained by the study design employed, the period and the dimensions of safety measures explored, all of which could be factors in this mismatch.…”

Correlative study on the effect of toxic paint chemicals on the hepatorenal of paint factory workers in Enugu, Nigeria

“…The study reported that only 20% of the participants use hand gloves, 7.5% goggles, 52.5% safety boots, 20% dust masks and 36.25% factory gown. This finding was in agreement with the work of Awodele et al[27] which reported a lack of adequate work safety practices in paint factories of Lagos west senatorial district of Nigeria.…”

Cytogenetic Biomonitoring and Immunocytochemical Studies on Car Spray Painters in Enugu Metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria

“…In the present study, a greater percentage of the exposed participants spent 5-10 h daily in their workplace, this may have also attributed to the significantly higher frequency of MN among those that have worked as car spray painters for 5-10 years, 11-15 years, and above 15 years when compared to those who have worked for <5 years. This suggests a positive correlation between the increased MN frequency and the number of years of exposure/frequency of exposure which is similar to the findings documented by a previous study which showed an increased MN frequency with a positive correlation with increased period of exposure in motor garage workers [2]. Car spray painters who have worked for more than 15 years had a higher frequency of BNC when compared to those who have worked for <5 years.…”

Occupational health and safety practices and associated factors among workers in Ethiopia’s Metehara and Wonji sugar industries: a convergent parallel mixed design

“…In contrast, according to our study findings, the proportion of workers reporting good occupational health and safety practices was higher than in previous studies conducted in Ethiopia, 34 56 Ghana, 57 Nigeria, [58][59][60] Sri Lanka, 61 Poland, 62 Bangladesh 63 and India. 41 64 The dissimilarities could be explained by the study design employed, the period and the dimensions of safety measures explored, all of which could be factors in this mismatch.…”

Correlative study on the effect of toxic paint chemicals on the hepatorenal of paint factory workers in Enugu, Nigeria

“…The study reported that only 20% of the participants use hand gloves, 7.5% goggles, 52.5% safety boots, 20% dust masks and 36.25% factory gown. This finding was in agreement with the work of Awodele et al[27] which reported a lack of adequate work safety practices in paint factories of Lagos west senatorial district of Nigeria.…”

Cytogenetic Biomonitoring and Immunocytochemical Studies on Car Spray Painters in Enugu Metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria

“…In the present study, a greater percentage of the exposed participants spent 5-10 h daily in their workplace, this may have also attributed to the significantly higher frequency of MN among those that have worked as car spray painters for 5-10 years, 11-15 years, and above 15 years when compared to those who have worked for <5 years. This suggests a positive correlation between the increased MN frequency and the number of years of exposure/frequency of exposure which is similar to the findings documented by a previous study which showed an increased MN frequency with a positive correlation with increased period of exposure in motor garage workers [2]. Car spray painters who have worked for more than 15 years had a higher frequency of BNC when compared to those who have worked for <5 years.…”