Occupational Hazards, Safety and Hygienic Practices among Timber Workers in a South Eastern State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Timber workers, especially in developing countries, are faced with challenges of prevention and control of work place hazards and illnesses. Objective: To determine the awareness of occupational hazards, effects, safety and hygienic practices among timber workers in a South Eastern State in Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive design that used the total population of timber workers involved in the processing and marketing of wood in three major timber markets in a South Eastern State in Nigeria. Data was collected using a pretested semistructured questionnaire. Descriptive analyses were done with frequencies and summary statistics. Results: The majority of the respondents were aware of the hazardous nature of wood dust (96%) and their main source of awareness was from personal experiences (55%). In spite of the fact that the predominant hazard effects in the majority were nose, throat irritation and cough (33%), the majority were of the opinion that the respirator was not important. Only 13% of the respondents that use personal protective equipment (PPE) always use them and the main reason for not using PPE is forgetfulness (38%). Proper hygiene and sanitation was poorly practiced, as all respondents indiscriminately disposed of waste wood (100%) and about one third (33%) did not have a bath after work each day. Conclusion: Timber workers in our environment are faced with increased risks of diseases, accidents and challenges of protection and safety. As a consequence, there is a need for proper education and enforcement of consistent use of the different protective devices.

Knowledge of Workplace Hazards, Safety Practices and Prevalence of Workplace-related Health Problems among Sawmill Workers in Sokoto, Nigeria

“…This is supported by the findings in a study conducted among timber workers in a South-Eastern State in Nigeria, which reported high level of awareness of the hazardous nature of wood dust, and their main source of awareness was from their personal experiences. 18 It is therefore not surprising that whereas less than two-thirds (55.8%) of the respondents in this study had good knowledge of the workplace hazards of sawmill workers, most of them 80.9% had good knowledge of prevention of exposure to the hazards. Studies conducted among sawmill workers in Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African countries majorly reported poor training on occupational health and safety with concomitantly poor knowledge of their workplace hazards.…”

“…Even though, compliance with many of the key safety practices was sub-optimal among the respondents in this study, the levels are relatively higher than those obtained in studies conducted among sawmill workers in other cities across Nigeria. [16][17][18] A study among sawmill workers in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, 16 reported that 72.3 to 79.8% of respondents have never utilized any safety device. Another study among sawmill workers in North-central Nigeria, 17 reported that less than 20% of participants wore protective devices.…”

“…[12][13][14][15] A cause for concern is the generally poor knowledge of occupational hazards and their prevention, the abysmally low level of compliance with occupational health and safety regulations, and the high prevalence of workplacerelated health problems in studies conducted among sawmill workers in Nigeria. [16][17][18][19] It is also disturbing that contrary to occupational health and safety regulations that mandate employers of labor to educate their employees on the workplace hazards to which they are exposed, and their prevention, reports from studies conducted in Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African countries showed that majority of sawmill workers never had any training on occupational health and safety, and were either unaware, or became aware of their workplace hazards after experiencing the diseases and injuries associated with them. 9,18 Prevention of occupational hazards and the associated diseases, accidents and injuries cannot be promoted among sawmill workers if they are unaware of their workplace hazards or comply with occupational health and safety regulations.…”

“…[16][17][18][19] It is also disturbing that contrary to occupational health and safety regulations that mandate employers of labor to educate their employees on the workplace hazards to which they are exposed, and their prevention, reports from studies conducted in Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African countries showed that majority of sawmill workers never had any training on occupational health and safety, and were either unaware, or became aware of their workplace hazards after experiencing the diseases and injuries associated with them. 9,18 Prevention of occupational hazards and the associated diseases, accidents and injuries cannot be promoted among sawmill workers if they are unaware of their workplace hazards or comply with occupational health and safety regulations. In addition, assessment of the pattern of workplace-related health problems would provide information for prioritizing occupational health and safety interventions.…”

Critical assessment of occupational health hazard in hospitality industry in Kano state, Nigeria

“…However, knowledge of these interactions between work and health is fundamental in understanding and practice of occupational health and safety, the importance of safety at the workplace is often overlooked. [2][3][4] More than one-third of injuries reported in the hospitality industry are due to trips and falls; making spillages the most common workplace hazard. 5 It is a known fact that different occupations are occupied with different forms of hazard.…”