“A comparative study of the level of Occupational safety and Health (OSH) provisions and practice of Kaliti Metal Products Factory and Kotebe Metal Tools Factory”

Abstract

Occupational safety and Health is becoming a mounting concern for worker’s safety and for having strong and healthy workforce. The ILO figure shows that occupational death and injuries are increasing, apart from having the legislation and policies on the ground, The provisions and practice of OSH at each undertaking needs assessment and reinforcement. The purpose of this research is to assess the level of occupational safety and health provisions and practice in Kotebe Metal Tools and Kaliti Metal Products factories. The data is collected using questionnaire, interview of key informants and observation method. The sample size included in this study were 109 employees from Kotebe Metal Tools Factory and 185 employees from Kaliti Metal Products Factory. They were identified using simple random sampling and purposive sampling method. The data were collected from employees and from key informants. A walk-through observation has given first-hand information on how the work process is done and the safety measures are practiced. The quantitative data is analysed using descriptive analysis by SPSS and the qualitative data is analysed using thematic content analysis method. The areas of assessment with regards to OSH provision were availability of OSH Program known by employees, training, pre-employment orientation, safety meetings, presence of safety representative, provision of PPE, periodic health check, first aid, accident registration and reporting. OSH practice was assessed in relation to PPE use, regular risk assessment and regular inspection. The result of this study showed gaps in the level of OSH provision and practice at both factories based on the minimum standards of OSH. According to the result, the gap is more extensive in Kotebe Metal Tools Factory than in Kaliti Metal Products Factory. This shows that there are discrepancies in the implementation of OSH program at different manufacturing industries and the performance is not 100% at both factories. The gaps identified contributes for the occurrence of accidents and injuries at the workplace. Therefore, in order to meet the minimum standards, Kaliti Metal tools factory is recommended to maintain the best practices and improve on the activities where gaps are observed. But Kotebe Metal Tools factory needs to improve all its practices to create a conducive work environment.