Evaluation of health and safety practices at workplaces in New Juaben municipality, Ghana

Abstract

This study evaluates problems and issues related to Occupational Health and Safety at Eastern Regional Hospital Koforidua (ERHK) and Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) all in Koforidua. The study was a descriptive survey and views of 130 respondents comprising of 110 junior staff and 20 senior staff members from ECG and ERHK in the New Juaben Municipality were sought using self-developed questionnaire. Primary and secondary sources of data collection method were used and data collected from the field was processed and analysed through the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. The study reveals that 50% of the respondents strongly agreed that their institutions provides safe place of work for all employees of the organisation, 55% of the respondents disagreed that the organisation provides adequate equipment, materials (personal protective equipment) and clothing to enable employees to carry out their work safely and 50% of the respondents strongly agreed that staffs must put on protective clothing in the performance of their duties. Moreover, 70% agreed that the institution provides notices on all health and safety measures, 60% of the respondents agreed that Co-worker ensures the safety of fellow worker at the workplace and that 50% agreed that the institution provides Safety induction, orientation and refresher courses to employees in the organisation. Based on the findings of the study it is recommended that, Management should regularly organize education, training, workshops, seminars on health and safety issues, publish materials on health and safety and many other steps to include safety consciousness in the minds of workers.