Connecting occupational safety awareness, legislation, implementation and enforcement within the Ghanaian industrial economy
Date
2016
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Abstract
Aim: The high incidence of workplace injuries and fatalities in Ghana raises concerns about potential disconnection between
occupational safety legislations and their efficient enforcement within the Ghanaian industrial economy. This paper therefore
sought to examine the extent to which legitimate occupational legislations are implemented and enforced and monitored
in Ghanaian Industrial economy. Materials and Method: The study respondents were 70 comprising 50 workers (10
from each of the five departments in Pioneer Food Cannery), 3 Top management members, 5 Departmental heads, 5
Supervisors from the Safety department, 5 members of the Plant Safety Team and 2 officials from the Department of Factories
Inspectorate in the Tema Industrial Area selected by simple random and purposive sampling methods. In-depth Interviews,
key informant interviews and direct field observations were used to collect primary data in 2014/2015 and thematically
analysed n 2015. Results: Though management had put in place some policies, mechanisms and regulations including
the provision of personal protective equipment, the institution of safety committees, the supervision and enforcement of
the mechanisms and policies in place was ineffective and inefficient as the safety department had only five supervisors..
Also the Department of Factories Inspectorate is woefully resourced in terms of personnel and logistics leading to poor
inspection and enforcement of safety regulations. Conclusions: The paper posits that, there is a disconnection between
occupational health and safety laws and their enforcement at the industrial level and calls for proper resourcing of the
agencies responsible with enforcement.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Occupational Safety, Legislation, Implementation, Enforcement