ENTRENCHING PREVENTIVE SAFETY AND HEALTH CULTURE AS A STRATEGY FOR CONTAINING OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CRISIS IN ENGINEERING FIRM

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

According to the estimates released by the International Labour Organization (ILO), each year 2.78 million workers die from occupational accidents and work-related diseases (of which 2.4 million are disease-related) and an additional 374 million workers suffer from non-fatal occupational accidents. It is estimated that lost work days globally represent almost 4 percent of the world’s GDP, and in some countries, this rises to 6 percent or more (Hämäläinen et al, 2017; Takala et al, 2014). Aside from the economic cost, there is an intangible cost, not fully recognized in these figures, of the immeasurable human suffering caused by occupational accidents and work-related diseases. This is tragic and regrettable because, as research and practice over the past century has repeatedly demonstrated they are largely preventable.

Hence, a considerable task remains for governments, employers, workers and other stakeholders in building present and future generations of safe and healthy workers. The ILO Global strategy on occupational safety and health, adopted in 2003, provides a framework for these activities. Crucially, the global burden of occupational accidents, work-related diseases and deaths is a significant contributor to the growing global issue of non-communicable and chronic diseases.

Psycho-social risks, work-related stress and noncommunicable diseases are of growing concern for many workers in all Engineering Firms. At the same time, many workers remain challenged by persistent work-related safety and health risks and it is important not to overlook the workers who face these risks in Engineering Firms.

Achieving effective prevention, however, remains a major challenge in addressing global occupational safety and health (OSH).

It is not only in-house factors that play a role in occupational health and safety — it must also be ensured that products purchased and used by the company meet the occupational health and safety requirements laid down, this is to help ensure that OHS is adopted as a culture in organizations and among workers. Furthermore, it must be recorded in writing how any hazardous substances must be handled in everyday routines in the company.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The extent to which employees are exposed to industrial hazards and diseases has risen a global concern as the adoption and implementation of occupational health and safety measures are not moderately practised to an extent that it is recognized at all levels of operation in many organizations. This however has landed so many workers into be victims of industrial or work-place accidents and/or diseases. Therefore research tends to critically evaluate if entrenching preventive safety and health culture will serve as a strategy for containing Occupational Safety and Health Crisis in Engineering Firm.

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The general of this study is to scrupulously examine if entrenching preventive safety and health culture will suffice as a strategy for containing occupational safety and health crisis in engineering firm. Below are the specific objectives;

1. Examine if imbibing safety and health preventive measures by employees will reduce the occurrence of health crises in engineering firms.

2. Evaluate if the adoption of occupational safety and health measures as a culture can help minimize the chances of hazard occurrences in engineering firms.

3. Identify the factors which can impede the cultivation of occupational safety and health measures as a culture in  engineering firms.

1.4     RESEARCH QUESTION

The following questions guilds this study;

1. Can imbibing safety and health preventive measures by employees reduce the occurrence of health crises in engineering firms?

2. Can the adoption of occupational safety and health measures as a culture help minimize the chances of hazard occurrences in engineering firms?

3. What are the factors that can impede the cultivation of occupational safety and health measures as a culture in  engineering firms?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The findings of this epistle and the recommendations that will be proffered will be of immense relevant to engineering firms, its employees and even other organizations as the victimization of workers in workplace hazards has risen global concern and must be tackled with all hands on the desk. To students, researchers, teachers and other individuals will find this study to be useful as it will serve as a source of information.

1.6  SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study examines only the need for entrenching preventive safety and health culture as a strategy for containing occupational safety and health crisis in engineering firm. Thus, the study is delimited to SAIDI Nigeria Limited;

1.7  LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

As a result of this study, the researcher encountered the following challenges;

Inadequate finance: the research was face with problem of inadequate fund which hinder the researcher from covering as much location as possible.

Time: time factor pose another constraint since having to cope in this research which went simultaneously within the time schedule of other academic work making it impossible to undertake this study in large more representative skill.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Entrenching: To establish (an attitude, habit, or belief) so firmly that change is very difficult or unlikely

Preventive Measures: This includes the measures or steps taken for prevention of disease as opposed to disease treatment

Culture: The ideas, customs, and social behaviour towards a particular activity or practice.

Strategy: a plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim.