Safety and Health at Work

Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (산업안전보건연구원)
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Safety and Health Perceptions in Work-related Transport Activities in Ghanaian Industries

  • Atombo, Charles (Intelligent Transportation System Research Center, Wuhan University of Technology) ;
  • Wu, Chaozhong (Intelligent Transportation System Research Center, Wuhan University of Technology) ;
  • Tettehfio, Emmanuel O. (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ho Polytechnic) ;
  • Nyamuame, Godwin Y. (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ho Polytechnic) ;
  • Agbo, Aaron A. (Logistics Engineering Research Centre, Wuhan University of Technology)
  • Received : 2016.04.18
  • Accepted : 2016.10.05
  • Published : 2017.06.30
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Abstract

Background: With the recent rapid industrialization, occupational safety and health (OSH) has become an important issue in all industrial and human activities. However, incidents of injuries and fatality rates in the Ghanaian industry sector continue to increase. Despite this increase, there is no evidence regarding the element of OSH management in transport activities in Ghanaian industries. Thus, this study aims to examine the perceptions regarding the importance of safety and health in work-related transport activities in Ghanaian industries. Methods: A survey data collection technique was used to gather information on best safety practices over a 5-month period. We randomly selected 298 respondents from industries to answer structured questionnaires. The respondents included drivers, transport managers, and safety engineers. Standard multiple regression model and Pearson product-movement correlation were used to performed the analysis. Results: The result shows that for interventions to improve safety and health, concentration has been on drivers' safety practice with less attention to safe driving environments and vehicle usage. Additionally, the respondents are aware of the importance of OSH in transport activities, but the level of integration does not measure up to the standard to reduce operational accidents and injuries. Finally, strong commitment to changing unsafe practices at all levels of operations appears to be the effective way to improve safety situations. Conclusion: OSH culture is not fully complied in industries transport activities. This study, therefore, supports the use of safety seminars and training sessions for industry workers responsible for transport operations for better integration of safety standards.

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References

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