ASSESSMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PRACTICES AT SOKOBAN WOOD VILLAGE IN THE ASHANTI REGION OF GHANA

ABSTRACT This study assessed the occupational health and safety practices of wood workers at the wood processing industry in Sokoban Wood Village. The study assessed the safety practices of the wood workers as well as the safety gargets of machines and equipment used at the wood village. The researcher adopted a descriptive survey research design. This design was used to sample opinions of workers at the Sokoban wood village. Data was collected from 247 respondents at the wood village Kumasi using a 5-point Likert-type scale questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used for the data analysis. The results indicated that the respondents rated very high their awareness of occupational health and safety practices related to their work. The mean ratings of the respondents’ awareness of health and safety practices ranged from 3.14 to 5.92 which is higher than the theoretical mean of 3.0, and the resultant mean was 4.76. Majority of the respondents also indicated that most of the machines used at the wood village were without safety gargets. Furthermore, the educational background of the respondents has no significant influence on their rating of awareness of health and safety practices. The study concluded that the workers at the wood village are not ignorant about safety and health practice related to their work. They express their willingness to use personal safety clothing and equipment with the exception of face shield. The study recommended that further studies should be conducted to cover infection and diseases related to wood processing and the use of health and safety equipments be encouraged among wood workers to reduce hazards and injuries associated with wood processing industries.