Assessment of safety practices in south-western Nigerian sawmilling industries

Abstract

The study identified the prevailing hazards in sawmilling industry in southwestern zone, Nigeria, examined the availability and usage of protective equipments by individual workers. It also determined the relationship between personal characteristics of sawmilling workers and use of protective equipments. The study adopted a survey design, 256 workers drawn from 54 sawmills in Ondo, \Ekiti, Oyo and Osun states participated in the study by responding to a questionnaire which elected information on hazards experienced by sawmill workers and efforts put in place by individuals and industry at apprehending such hazards. An observation checklist was also used to assess the availability and usage of protective equipments. Findings revealed that hand (46.9%) and feet (32.4%) injuries were preponderant while eye (12.9%) injury is the least. Abnormal sneezing (14.1%) and continuous body pain (11.4%) were the most peculiar sicknesses of sawmill workers. Appropriate signage were seldom used by the sampled workers while safety clothing and respiratory protector were the most used protective equipments. Significant relationships were found between each of age, sex, work designation and use of protective equipments.