TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ii
DEDICATION…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT……………………………………………………………………………………………. iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS………………………………………………………………………………………………. v
LIST OF FIGURES………………………………………………………………………………………………………. x
LIST OF TABLES……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. xi
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS…………………………………………………………………….. xiii
OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS……………………………………………………………… xiv
ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… xv
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………….. 1
- Background of the Study……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 1
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW………………………………………………………………… 8
2. 3 Nature of Personal Protective Equipment……………………………………………………………………… 9
- Occupational Safety and Health Acts………………………………………………………………………………. 9
CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS………………………………………………… 16
- Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 16
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS…………………………………………………………………………………….. 22
- Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 22
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION………… 54
REFERENCES…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 62
APPENDICES…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 65
Appendix I: Consent Form……………………………………………………………………………………………… 65
Appendix II : Questionnaire……………………………………………………………………………………………. 66
Appendix III: Observation Checklist……………………………………………………………………………….. 70
Appendix IV: Map of the Study Area……………………………………………………………………………… 71
Appendix V: Ethical Clearance of the Study…………………………………………………………………….. 72
Appendix VI: Approval for the Study……………………………………………………………………………… 73
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. 1: Conceptual Framework…………………………………………………………………………………… 7
Figure 4. 1: Body Parts Affected by Injuries…………………………………………………………………….. 30
Figure 4. 2: Occupational Illness……………………………………………………………………………………… 30
Figure 4. 3: Perceived Causes of Injuries and Illnesses……………………………………………………….. 31
Figure 4. 4: Persons who Assisted the Workers after Suffering Injuries………………………………… 32
Figure 4. 5: Measures Taken after Suffering from Injuries and Illnesses……………………………….. 33
Figure 4. 6: Training Strategies to enhance use of PPE……………………………………………………….. 35
Figure 4. 7: Types of PPE Used by the Workers………………………………………………………………… 36
Figure 4. 8: Frequency of use of PPE……………………………………………………………………………….. 41
Figure 4. 9: Prevention of Work-related Injuries and illnesses……………………………………………… 42
LIST OF TABLES
Table 3. 1: Sampling Frame…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 18
Table 4.1 Reliability Test Results…………………………………………………………………………………….. 22
Table 4. 2: Socio-demographic Characteristics of the Respondents………………………………………. 23
Table 4. 3: Relationship between Types of Injuries and Use of PPE by the Respondents………… 24
Table 4. 4: Relationship between having Suffered Abrasions and Social Demographics…………. 25
Table 4. 5: Relationship between having suffered Cuts and Social Demographics characteristics
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….26
Table 4. 6: Relationship between having Suffered Burns and Social Demographics……………….. 27
Table 4. 7: Relationship between having Suffered Fractures and Social Demographics………….. 28
Table 4. 8: Relationship between having Suffered Punctures and Social Demographics…………. 29
Table 4. 9: Relationship between Use of PPE and Socio Demographic Characteristics…………… 34
Table 4. 10: Relationship between PPE Appropriate for the Task Performed and Socio Demographics 37
Table 4. 11: Relationship between PPE Worn Correctly and Socio Demographics…………………. 38
Table 4. 12: Relationship between PPE Fitting Correctly and Socio Demographics……………….. 39
Table 4. 13: Relationship between PPE in Good Working Condition and Socio Demographics .40 Table 4. 14: Relationship between Comfort in using PPE and Socio Demographics…………………………… 43
Table 4. 15: Relationship between Lack of Awareness on PPE use and Socio Demographics….. 44
Table 4. 16: Relationship between Perception that Brief Tasks are less Risky and Socio Demographics 45
Table 4. 17: Relationship between PPE Acceptability and Socio Demographics…………………….. 46
Table 4. 18: Relationship between Lack of Coworker/Supervisor Influence to Using PPE and Socio Demographics……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 47
Table 4. 19: Relationship between PPE Hot to Use and Socio Demographics……………………….. 48
Table 4. 20: Relationship between PPE Fitness and Socio Demographics……………………………… 49
Table 4. 21: Relationship between PPE Availability and Socio Demographics………………………. 50
Table 4. 22: Relationship between PPE Attractiveness and Socio Demographic…………………….. 51
Table 4. 23: Relationship between not using PPE despite being trained and aware of the hazards and Socio Demographics (Ignorance)……………………………………………………………………………………………… 52
Table 4. 24: Relationship between PPE Utilization and Availability, Accessibility, and consistency in Usage…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 53
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
BSL – Bureau of Labour Statistics
BSC, PH Bachelor of Science Public Health EASH – European Agency for Safety and Health FGD – Focus Group Discussions
GNP – Gross National Product
HSE – Health Safety Executive
ILO – International Labour Organization KAM – Kenya Association of Manufactures
KU-ERC – Kenyatta University Ethical Review Committee MOH – Ministry of Health
MOPHS – Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation
NACOSTI – National Commission for Science Technology and Innovation OHS – Occupational Health and Safety
OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration PHOs – Public Health Officers
PPE – Personal Protective Equipment WHO – World Health Organization WIBA – Work Injury Benefits Acts
OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS
Food Manufacturing Industries – These are the industries that transform raw ingredient products into products for intermediate or final consumption.
Hazard – This is a potential source of harm or adverse health effect on a person or persons.
Occupational Injuries – These are any physical injuries resulting from an occupational accident at the work place.
Occupational illnesses – These are conditions that results from exposure to a physical, chemical or biological agent in a work place to the extent that the normal physiological mechanisms are affected and the health of the worker is impaired.
Occupational Health Safety – A cross-disciplinary area concerned with protecting the safety, health and welfare of people engaged in work or employment. The goal of all occupational health and safety programs is to foster a safe work environment.
Personal Protective Equipment – is any material, device, equipment or clothing which is used or worn by a worker to protect them from exposure or contact with any harmful material or energy which may cause injury, disease or even death to the worker.
Risk – Is the likelihood that a person may be harmed or suffers adverse health effects if exposed to a hazard at the workplace.
Utilization – The use of PPE consistently and appropriately to prevent injuries and illness.
Workplace Hazard – Is a situation in the workplace that has the potential to harm the health and safety of the people.
Level of Use of PPE – The extend of use of PPE by age group, gender and frequency.
Punture – An injury that is caused by a sharp pointed object that pierces or penetrates the skin causing a wound.
ABSTRACT
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is any material, device, equipment or clothing used or worn by workers to protect them from exposure or contact with any harmful material or energy which may cause injury, disease or even death. The study assessed utilization of PPE among workers in grain and oil seed milling industries in Nairobi City County. Despite the benefits of using PPE, little information has been documented especially among workers in the food industries not only in Kenya but globally .The study adopted a cross sectional descriptive design. Purposive sampling technique was used to select Nairobi City County. Simple random sampling was used to select 3 industries that were included in the study. Random sampling technique was also used to select a sample of 342 workers from the selected industries. Questionnaires and observation checklists were used to collect both quantitative and qualitative data which was analyzed using SPSS version 20 and the results presented in form of graphs, figures, frequency tables and narration. Chi- square was used to test the research hypothesis at p<0.05 significance level. The study results showed that majority of workers in these industries were below 35 years (59.9%), who were male (57.49%), married (72.9%), and with secondary school education (36.3%). Approximately (45.1%) of workers confirmed having suffered various forms of injuries
.The occupational injuries experienced by the workers vary with demographics with cuts being the most prevalent injury (40.3%), followed by abrasions (31.2%), with burns being least prevalent (6.6%). Generally, male workers below 35 years of age dominated the injury cases with head, arms, legs, and chest emerging to be the body parts most affected. The injuries were most caused by body stress and knocks by objects. Majority of the workers (73%) confirmed to have suffered occupational illnesses with occupational asthma (23%) and skin dermatitis (18%) dominating. Less than half of the workers (45.1%) were found to be using PPE. Hand gloves, dust masks and overall were the types of PPE mostly used by workers in preventing injuries and illness. The factors that emerged to significantly influence PPE use included acceptability, availability, attractive and not using PPE despite being trained and aware of the hazard. There was no significant relationship between lack of coworker/supervisor influence to use of PPE and social demographics. It is recommended that employers and other stakeholder intensify their roles on PPE policy guidelines, training and awareness campaigns, compliance surveillance on PPE use by all workers in these industries as well as ensure a safe working environment. Employers should ensure that PPE are available, accessible, well fitting and comfortable to wear and that they are used appropriately and consistently by the workers at all times. Ministry of labour and its partners should carry out capacity building for staff in these industries to enable them provide more PPE and hence increase its utilization.
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
This chapter introduces the study. It gives the background information of study, statement of the problem, justification, hypothesis, objectives and conceptual framework among other sections.
Background of the Study
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is any material, device, equipment or clothing which is used or worn by a worker to protect them from exposure or contact with any harmful material or energy which may cause injury, disease or even death to the worker (Pyrek, 2011). According to Torp (2005), the PPE often used in the food industries include gloves, Slip-resistant safety boots, overalls, earplugs, helmets, goggles or face shields and disposal masks.
The use of PPE is a universal and legal requirement to protect workers against occupational injuries and illnesses in their workplace. These personalized items are very useful, as without them, workers could be exposed to a variety of toxic substances, chemicals, radiation, or incidents, which could result in occupational diseases, injuries, or even fatalities (OSHA, 2009). Although personal protection is often seen as an inexpensive solution of controlling occupational hazards, little consideration is given to the selection of suitable and effective devices, the maintenance of the devices and to the training of persons using the devices (Pyrek, 2011).
A study by Fierro (2013) found that workers in grain and oil seed milling industries are exposed to numerous hazards that can be prevented through the use of PPE. Another study done on grain and oil seed milling industries in Al-Khobar Saudi Arabia further revealed that about 60% of workers did not use any PPE (Taha, 2010). Other studies done in Nigeria, South Africa, and Ghana have particularly shown that most occupational injuries and illnesses are caused by inhalation of toxic dust and chemicals and that precautionary measures against exposures to
hazards at the workplace by using PPE are still generally poor or nonexistent (Muula et al.,
2010).
In Kenya a study by (MOH, 2007), showed that 58% of workers in the grain and oil seed industries lack sufficient access to occupational health services, especially PPE, exposing them to occupational hazards, injuries and illnesses which sometimes are fatal. Workers in these food industries are exposed to numerous hazardous risks that need attention. It is against this background that this study was conceived to assess utilization of PPE among workers in grain and oil seed milling industries in Nairobi City County, Kenya.
Statement of the Problem
The availability, access, and proper utilization of PPE are important in a country and across all industries, but more so in the grain and oil seed milling industries where there is a lot of physical and manual activities. This is particularly because occupational injuries and illnesses pose major public health and developmental problems which, result in serious health, social, and economic consequences on workers and their employers (ILO, 2008).
Worldwide 2.3 million workers succumb to injuries/illnesses every year, corresponding to 6000 deaths every single day (ILO, 2008). Globally, the grain and oil seed industries have one of the highest injury rates in the food manufacturing sector and accounted for 43.9% of all injuries in 2006/2007 (HSE, 2007). Recently, it has been confirmed that about 65 % of workers in grain and oil seed industries suffer from a high rate of injuries due to poor compliance to PPE use in their work place (BLS, 2010). While employers strive to procure and provide PPE as required by legislation for employees, the equipment is not used effectively and this is further compounded by lack of information about PPE, negative attitudes towards using them, or lack of
encouragement by the management. Others blame the workers’ ignorance among other factors found to result to increase in occupational injuries and illness.
According to Wafula et al., (2013) data on occupational injuries and illnesses among workers in manufacturing industries are often unavailable and when they do, are incomplete, unreliable or generally describe poor occupational health situations among workers. This study is therefore an attempt to unravel the nature of PPE services offered, injuries and illness suffered, level of PPE use and the factors influencing PPE utilization among workers in grain and oil seed milling industries in Nairobi City County, Kenya with a view of recommending best practices to minimize injuries and illnesses.
Justification of the Study
Occupational injuries, illness and even deaths are serious public health concerns. Everyone must work to earn a living. All of us must also work for economic development of our countries. This means that people spend most of their lifetimes working and in their work places, some five and others six days in a week. The work environment is therefore very important as it is the commonest setting in which occupational injuries, illness and even deaths occur. Yet, studies have shown that more than 90% of these injuries are preventable by the adoption of safety measures, appropriate and consistent use of PPE (Chepkener, 2013).
In Kenya, Nairobi City County is the commercial hub of the country, housing many of the food manufacturing industries. Therefore, most of the grain and oil seed milling industry workers work and reside within the County. This geographical location then presents the ideal cluster of the required grain and oil seed milling industry workers best for investigation of the nature of exposures to occupational injuries, illnesses and PPE utilization at work environments in Kenya.
The study also comes at an ideal time when the level of industrialization is politically encouraged and increasing in Kenya as indicated in the Vision 20 30.
In recent study, Wafula et al., (2013) concludes that, despite the importance of using PPE to control occupational injuries and illnesses, very little information has been documented in the study area. Workers in grain and oil seed milling industries are exposed to numerous workplace hazards that expose them to occupational injuries and illnesses which can be prevented by use of PPE appropriately and consistently.
Research Questions
- What are the common types of self reported occupational injuries and illnesses among workers in grain and oil seed milling industries in Nairobi City County?
- What is the level of use of PPE among workers in grain and oil seed milling industries in Nairobi City County?
- What are the factors influencing the use of PPE among workers in grain and oil seed milling industries in Nairobi City County?
Null hypothesis
Utilization of PPE is not influenced by availability, accessibility, and consistency of PPE usage among workers in grain and oil seed milling industries in Nairobi City County, Kenya.
Objectives of the study
General objective
To assess utilization of PPE among workers in grain and oil seed milling industries in Nairobi City County, Kenya.
