Original Research Article
Year: 2021 | Month: April | Volume: 11 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 157-164
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20210421
Knowledge and Practice of Safety Measures against Hazards among Footwear Manufacturers in Jos, Plateau State
Yetunde Olubusayo Tagurum1, Isaac Ebije Ochekwu2, Fwangkat Katfwang Daburuk2, Solomon Obiwanne Nwaiwu2, Mathilda Edmund Banwat1
1Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Jos
2Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Jos
Corresponding Author: Yetunde Olubusayo Tagurum
ABSTRACT
Background: Footwear manufacturing is among the oldest traditional occupations. As with other occupations, they are prone to workplace hazards which can be physical, chemical, biological, mechanical and/or psychosocial. Persons involved in shoe manufacturing are prone to exposure to a lot of leather, rubber, and textile dust. Other dust generating tasks include skiving and cutting operations. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge and practice of safety measures against hazards among footwear manufacturers in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study which involved using semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaires to obtain information from 146 footwear manufacturers. A cluster sampling technique was employed for selection of respondents. Data was analyzed using EPI-Info® version 3.5.4 statistical software package and a p-value of < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant for the study.
Results: The response rate of the respondents was 100% with majority of the respondents between ages 20-30 years. Most of the respondents, 91 (62.8%) had a fair knowledge of safety measures while 80 (55.2%) had fair practice of safety measures. There was a statistically significant relationship between the level of education and their knowledge of safety measures (P - value of 0.0071). There was also a statistically significant relationship between the age group and their practice of safety measures (P–value = 0.0127).
Conclusion: This study concludes that there is need for increased enlightenment on work hazards among footwear manufacturers and the need for government intervention in order to set up safety trainings, subsidize safety equipment and provide incentives.
Key words: Footwear manufacturers, knowledge, safety practice, occupational hazards, occupational health problems, PPE.