Original Research Article
Year: 2015 | Month: March | Volume: 2 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 67-78
Occupational Health Works in a Flour Mill in Ilorin, North Central, Nigeria
Saliu Tosho Abdulsalam1, Ismail Adeshina Abdus-salam2, James Tope Arinde1
1Department of Community Medicine, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.
2Directorate of Disease Control, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Alausa-Ikeja, Lagos. Nigeria.
Corresponding author: Saliu Tosho Abdulsalam
ABSTRACT
A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the level of knowledge and health and safety practices among 123 flour mill workers in one of the flour mills in Ilorin, North Central Nigeria. Data was collected using structured interviewer-administered questionnaire, key informant interviews and walk-through survey between 02 September and 25 October 2013.
There was a laid down policy on health and safety for the staff but there was no adequate occupational health and safety facilities and services. There were no full-time occupational health personnel in the factory; nurses provided by the retainer hospitals, run 24 hour shift. Only the pre-employment medical examinations are routinely done for new employees; no periodic medical examination is done. There were no provisions for dust measurements in the factory environment. About 62 (50.4%) workers had good knowledge of occupational health and safety. No worker without education or primary education had good knowledge of occupational health and safety. There was statistically significant difference between different age groups as regards knowledge. A statistically significant association exists between awareness of perceived ill-health and the respondent’s age and education.
The level of awareness of safety measures did not translate to use of personal protective equipment among the mill workers. Periodic medical examination for all workers and regular inspection of working environment by regulating agencies and training and health education programs for all workers emphasizing the correct use of personal protective measures should be provided.
Keywords: Flour mill workers, Health and safety practices, Personal protective equipment.