International Journal of Health Sciences

Assessment of Occupational Safety and Health Status of Sawmilling Industries in Nakuru County, Kenya
Richard Ogoti Mong’, Charles Mburu, Ciira Kiiyukia

Abstract
The increasing demand for timber in Kenya has equally increased sawmilling activities and exposure to occupational and health hazards. This study assessed occupational safety and health status of sawmilling industry in Nakuru County. The study focused on safety and health hazards, knowledge, awareness and the control measures put in place in sawmills. Stratified random sampling technique was employed to select a sample of 386 participants from sawmilling industries in Njoro, Elburgon, Molo and Nakuru town. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect primary data which was analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively using descriptive and inferential statistics. From the findings, 80.0% of the sawmill workers did not have any occupational safety and health training. 20% had short course professional trainings from the Forest Industrial Training Centre (FITC) in Nakuru. Workers were not adequately provided with protective face shields (16%), nose masks (46%), earplugs (21%) and helmets (44%). Further, majority (45.1%) encountered accidents at the sawmill workshops and production areas. The study recommends that saw mills should develop occupational safety and health policy, safe work methods, statements and comprehensive training programmes to create awareness on safety. The saw mills should invest in buying new machines, spare parts and training centers for technical skills.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/ijhs.v5n4a9