| dc.description.abstract | In Nakawa Division Kampala, evidence shows that many occupational hazards occur among employees in particular the metal fabricators. Though the Ugandan constitution (1995) article 39 stipulates that every worker has a right to a clean, healthy and safe environment, these only stop within the constitution and are not usually implemented. In Nakawa division alone within one single clinic in particular Don Ken clinic, an average of four people get wounded weekly due to instruments used while hitting and hammering metals compared to two recorded weekly with irritated and tearing eyes due to dust and fumes at the welding workshops. If such situation continues, it was envisaged that many employers would lose productivity to preventable hazards. The situation would have devastating implications on part of the affected employees and their family members hence the need to carry out this study. The main objective of the study was to identify the factors influencing the occurrence of occupational hazards among metal fabricators in Nakawa Division, Kampala.
The findings were obtained using a cross sectional study approach in which questionnaires were administered to 246 metal fabricators in Nakawa division. The study found out that majority of the metal fabricators had ever been involved in occupational hazards (96.7%). These hazards included among others electric shocks, cuts and bruises, eye defects, hearing problems and deep cuts which occur anytime and are serious in majority cases. It was also found out that though the gender of the metal fabricators does not influence the occurrence of occupational hazards among metal fabricators in Nakawa Division, the age, marital status, level of education, and experience in years besides monthly income significantly influence the occurrence of occupational hazards amongst metal fabricators. The study also found out that whereas most metal fabricators do protect themselves against occupational hazards using items such as gloves and eye shades which demonstrate good knowledge of occupational hazards, such knowledge has got no significant influence on the occurrence of occupational hazards. It however established that the presence of environmental factors like noise, heat, dust, fumes, frames, sparks and sharp tools significantly influenced the occurrence of occupational hazards during metal fabrication. Based on the objectives, findings and conclusions the study recommends among others that owners of fabrication workshops and other stakeholders put in place guidelines which involve not only giving formal training to employees but also puts emphasis on employee attitude to protect themselves against occupational hazards using items such as gloves, eye shades, overall and gum boots. It also recommends that fabrication workshop owners with concerted efforts try as much as possible to reduce on environmental factors leading to hazards such as dust, fumes, frames and sharp tools and unguarded tools. | en_US |
