Knowledge and practices toward occupational safety among workers in vibrated block industries: A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Rapid urbanization in Nigeria is accountable for a high demand for housing in cities. To meet these needs, new buildings are constructed largely by private developers with the use of concrete blocks for the super-structure. Small-scale block-making factories owned by private individuals are found in available spaces in cities to seize the existing market opportunity of supplying blocks to developers.^[1] The construction industry/work involves a lot of risks. The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates at least 60,000 fatal accidents a year on construction sites around the world, that is, one in six of all fatal work-related accidents. The global trade union federation puts the figure much higher at 108,000 with construction responsible for 30% of all work-related accidents.^[2] In Britain, for example, a study report by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)^[3] stated that the block industry accounts for 27% of fatal injuries to employees and 9% of reported major injuries. Workers in the block industries are exposed to significant occupational hazards and consequently at high risk of work-related diseases which vary from minor irritations or injuries to cancers.^[4] Citra et al.^[5] have reported physical, chemical, and biological hazards in the informal industry of paving blocks and concrete bricks, including respiratory tract infections, irritation, heat stroke, dehydration, and various forms of injury. Ezeonu et al.^[6] reported that the spectrum of produced injuries by various circumstances of mechanical insight in industries as well as their frequencies in Nigeria includes the following: Abrasion (scratch) 37.5%, contusions (bruises) 27.0%, incisions (cuts) 15%, penetration 6.5%, lacerations 0.8%, and fractures 0.2%. The ILO further estimates that workers suffer 270 million accidents and 33,500 fatalities or fatal injuries annually, whereas avoidable occupational diseases affect 160 million people every year.^[2] Occupational accidents are unplanned events that take place at a workplace and include slips, falls from height, hitting against an object, or being caught between machinery. These accidents are a result of unsafe acts, faulty equipment, or nature.^[7]

While providing a safe work environment for workers is the responsibility of employers, workers need to take responsibility for their safety and that of other workers by strictly adhering to laid down safety measures in their various work environments.^[8]

In spite of the various risks involved in the block-making industry including accidents, inhalation of toxic chemicals and cement dust, cement burns, etc., the occupational health and safety practices of workers in these industries are very poor. For instance, Citra et al.^[5] observed that all workers in an informal paving block and concrete brick industry lacked personal protective equipment (PPE). They further report that none of the workers wore a safety helmet and that an operator even wore a face cap which does not protect the skull from falling objects; they also wore sandals as footwear, rather than safety shoes. Workers also used a cloth dust mask to protect them from dust. None of the workers used goggles to protect their eyes from exposure to sand and cement dust. In addition, the production operators lacked gloves. Alemu et al.^[9] reported that the majority of the participants (41.19%) did not use PPE due to the unavailability of those PPE, followed by (21.3%) due to lack of orientation on PPE usage. Similarly, other participants’ reason for not using PPE was because they were not comfortable with them.

There is difficulty in determining the extent of work-related illnesses and diseases because of the delayed period of most occupational diseases’ onset on work in the block industry. HSE^[3] explains that some of the diseases do not emanate from the workers as quickly as expected. When the diseases finally manifest, it is often difficult to trace the root causes of workers’ past exposures. With an increase in occupational-related diseases, there is a need for greater focus on preventive activities. Adopting health promotional measures at the workplace is an important step toward providing a healthier workplace, especially in developing countries where such measures are commonly not well considered. Some safety measures for the vibrated block industry include wearing eye goggles, face masks, gloves, ear plugs, aprons, and air filters. In developing countries like Nigeria, most block industries are in the informal sector, and safety precautions are not strictly implemented. The main reasons could include a low level of education of workers, inadequate knowledge of health hazards, and unavailability of preventive measures. The current study thus assessed the knowledge and practices toward occupational safety among the vibrated block industry workers in Calabar municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

RESULTS

Knowledge and awareness of respondents on work hazards and safety measures

The knowledge and awareness of respondents on work hazards and safety measures are shown in Table 2. The results indicated that the majority 112 (94.1%) of the respondents were aware of hazards within their workstations. More than half of the respondents 58 (52.7%), got their awareness through personal experience, followed by 23 (20.9%) of the respondents who got theirs through the administration, followed by 16 (14.6%) of the respondents who got theirs through their colleagues whereas 15 (13.4%) got their awareness through training. The respondents knew that strain from lifting, back pain and injury 68 (53.1%), chronic cough, difficulty in breathing and skin irritation 33 (25.0%), hearing impairment, eye injury, and cement burns 27 (21.9%) were some of the hazards associated with their job. The results showed that the majority of the respondents 112 (94.1%) had heard of PPE and had good knowledge about PPE. More than half of the respondents 103 (92.0%) knew that PPE provides protection.

Table 2: Knowledge and awareness of respondents on work hazards and safety practices.

Variables	Frequency (n=119)	Percentage
Are you aware of the possible hazards associated with your work?
Yes	112	94.1
No	7	5.9
If yes, how did you get to know about these hazards?
Training	15	13.4
Administration	23	20.9
Colleagues	16	14.6
Personal experience	58	52.7
What are possible hazards associated with your work?
Strain from lifting, back pain, and injury (skin)	68	53.1
Hearing impairment, eye injury, and cement burns	27	21.9
Chronic cough, difficulty in breathing, and skin irritation	33	25.0
Have you ever heard of PPE?
Yes	112	94.1
No	7	5.9
Does PPE provide protection from injury?
Yes	103	92.0
No	9	8.0

PPE: Personal protective equipment

As shown in Figure 1, the majority of the respondents had a good knowledge level of occupational hazards and safety practices.

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Figure 1:

Pie chart showing the level of knowledge of workers on occupational hazards and safety measures.

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Safety practices of workers in vibrated block industries

The findings are shown in Table 3 that most of the workers 112 (94.1%) admitted that PPE was available at their workstations. The available PPE as indicated by the respondents were: Boots 107 (46.1%), hand gloves 74 (31.9%), overalls 31 (14.2%), and helmets 13 (6.0%). According to the results, 60 (53.6%) of these PPE were provided by the company whereas, 52 (46.4%) were self-provided by the respondents. The majority of the respondents 112 (94.1%) used the PPE available at their workstations. The respondents who reported not using PPE stated that the unavailability of PPE (40.0%) was one of the major factors preventing their use. Furthermore, 32.0% of the respondents reported they felt uncomfortable using them whereas 28.0% of them said the PPE was not suitable for them. For those who utilized PPE, the most frequently utilized PPE were boots 55 (49.1%). The majority of the respondents 52 (46.4%) always made use of their PPE, 25 (22.3%) made use of their PPE occasionally, 27 (24.1%) utilized them whenever they felt it was necessary, and 8 (7.1%) utilized them whenever they remembered. The majority 64 (53.8%) of the respondents reported that their industry had never been inspected by regulatory agencies.

Table 3: Safety practices of vibrated block industry workers.

Variables	Frequency (n=119)	Percentage
Are PPE available at your work site?
Yes	112	98.21
No	7	1.79
What type of PPE is available?
Overall	31	14.2
Face mask	4	1.8
Ear muffs	3	1.4
Boots	107	46.1
Helmet	13	6.0
Hand gloves	74	31.9
Who provides the PPE?
Self	52	46.4
Company	60	53.6
Do you make use of the PPE at your workplace?
Yes	112	94.1
No	7	5.9
If your answer above is No, what are your reasons
Not comfortable using them	8	32.0
Not available	10	40.0
Not suitable	7	28.0
What type of PPE do you use regularly?
Boot	55	49.1
Overall	19	17.0
Hand gloves	10	8.9
Helmet	6	5.4
Hand gloves and boot	14	12.5
Overall and boot	5	4.5
Hand gloves, overall, and boots	3	2.7
How often do you make use of PPE?
Always	52	46.4
Occasionally	25	22.3
When remembered	8	7.1
When I feel it is necessary	27	24.1
Has any government/non-government regulatory agency ever come to inspect your industry
Yes	55	46.2
No	64	53.8

PPE: Personal protective equipment

As presented in Figure 2, the safety practice level of the workers was only averagely good.

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Figure 2:

Pie chart showing safety practice level of vibrated block industry workers.

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Self-reported health problems experienced by workers

The self-reported health problems experienced by workers are shown in Table 4. The majority of the respondents 83 (69.7%) asserted that they were aware that their jobs posed health challenges to them, and 80 (67.2%) of them had personally experienced one or more health challenges while working at these vibrated block industries. About 45 (37.0%) of the respondents had undergone medical examination before employment. Fifty-five (46.2%) of the respondents visit the hospital for treatment whereas 64 (53.8%) of them visit the pharmacy. More than half of the workers 68 (57.1%) pay for their medical bills, whereas 51 (42.9%) of the respondents said the company handles the bills.

Table 4: Self-reported health problems experienced by workers at vibrated block industries.

Variables	Frequency (n=119)	Percentage
Do you think your job causes health problems/challenges?
Yes	83	69.7
No	36	30.3
Have you ever experienced any health problem you think is work-related?
Yes	80	67.2
No	39	32.8
What are the health problems experienced?
Catarrh	25	12.1
Pneumoconiosis	8	3.9
Hearing loss	8	3.9
Skin irritation/disease	90	43.7
Body pain	46	22.3
Injury	25	12.1
Eye defect	4	1.9
Did you undergo medical examination before employment?
Yes	45	37.8
No	74	62.2
Where do you take your treatment when you fall sick?
Hospital	55	46.2
Pharmacy	64	53.8
Who pays for the cost of treatment?
Myself	68	57.1
Company	51	42.9

As shown in Figure 3, the most frequently experienced health risks were skin irritation 90 (43.7%), followed by body pain, injury, catarrh, pneumoconiosis, hearing loss, and eye defects.

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Figure 3:

Self-reported health problems experienced by workers at vibrated block industries.

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DISCUSSION

The study reveals that the majority of the respondents were aware of hazards within their workstations. The majority also had good knowledge of the forms of hazards associated with their work and the necessary safety measures. This good knowledge level, however, did not fully translate to actual safety practices in the workplace as only a little above half of the workers had good safety practice levels. Citra et al. ^[5] also observed poor safety practices among all workers in an informal paving block and concrete brick industry despite the level of knowledge. Kekana^[7] observed poor safety practices in a brick manufacturing industry in the Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province of South Africa. Magoro^[11] also reported that the majority of his study respondents had good knowledge about work hazards and safety measures but reported low PPE use among the workers. Ezeonu et al.,^[6] in their study on occupational health hazards among Nigerian cement workers, revealed that virtually all of their respondents were aware of the manifest health hazards. On the contrary, Jonathan et al.^[12] reports low awareness of workers in construction industries on safety measures. Ford and Tetrick^[13] reported a generally low level of awareness of occupational hazards among industry workers.

According to the study findings, the main sources of information on occupational hazards were personal experience and the industry administration. Inadequate information on safety practices results in poor practices.

Access to information on safety measures is likely to minimize workplace injuries as posited by Anosike and Ayebade,^[14] who carried out a similar study among workers in a cement factory in Nigeria. This study finding also supports the report of Jonathan et al.,^[12] where personal effort and job training were the main sources of awareness of occupational hazards and safety.

From the study findings, the most recognized hazards were strain from lifting, back pain, and injury, followed by chronic cough, difficulty breathing, skin irritation, hearing impairment, and cement burns.

The study results showed that the majority of the respondents had used one or more PPE at their workstations. Half of the respondents regularly made use of their PPE at their workstations and the majority of the respondents knew that PPE provides protection from hazards. In addition, most of the respondents agreed that their jobs involved some occupational hazards and health problems but were not consistent in the application of safety measures. Reasons given for the non-use of PPE by some of the respondents were unavailability and discomfort. Musa et al.,^[15] in their study, also reported that the reasons for non-use of PPE among some workers were discomfort, suitability, difficulty in using without assistance, and the high cost of equipment in the market. The utilization of PPE among workers is imperative for the reduction of occupational hazards, injuries, and accidents sustained in the work environment. The observation is that most of these industries are not monitored by relevant regulatory agencies and the absence of safety training may be responsible for the inconsistency in safety practices.

Most of the workers had experienced one form of health problem or another associated with their work. This agrees with the findings of Ahmed et al.^[16] and Citra et al.,^[5] where the majority of the workers interviewed reported several health problems associated with their job. The major health problems experienced were skin irritation, body pain, and injury. Musa et al.^[15] reported that most of the workers in their study reported respiratory impairment and noise pollution as their major health challenges.

In the present study, most respondents reported not having had any pre-employment medical examination. This finding is in agreement with the report of Musa et al.,^[15] where the majority of the workers had not undergone periodic or pre-employment medical examinations. This attitude is against the early detection of diseases.^[17] The present study showed a significant association between years spent in the block industry and safety practices. However, the level of good safety practices declined with a prolonged stay in the block industry. The relapse may be because there is no monitoring of the workplace and regular safety training. There is a need for monitoring by industry administrators and regulatory agencies to ensure adherence to safety measures and the promotion of occupational health and safety. This study, however, is not without limitations as the sample size used for the study may limit the generalization of the present data. Second, the use of self-reported data from respondents may underestimate or overestimate the number of cases of occupational hazards in the block industry.

CONCLUSION

The study concludes that the level of knowledge and awareness of occupational hazards and necessary safety measures are high but do not translate to safety practices. Because of these findings, employers should adequately educate their employees on the specific hazards associated with their jobs and the need to adopt safety measures to guard against health risks. There should be regular monitoring of workplaces by relevant regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with safety standards.