Browsing by Author "Ntiamoah-Sarpong, Lesley"

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    Assessing occupational safety culture among workers in the printing industry in Kumasi
    (KNUST, 2016-08) Ntiamoah-Sarpong, Lesley
    ABSTRACT The industrial sector including the printing industry in Ghana contributes significantly to the gross national product (GDP) and employment. It is also an industry where employees are doing tasks that are likely to expose them to equipment, machinery or chemicals that can be hazardous to health and in turn cause effect on employees. Although there are some studies on health issues in this industry, not much has been written on safety culture. Therefore, the study focused on assessing occupational safety culture among workers in the printing industry in Kumasi. The objectives of the study were to assess occupational safety culture among workers in the printing industry, identify various occupational safety practices, identify the factors that influence occupational safety culture, and find out the challenges associated with occupational safety practices in the printing industry. A total of 130 respondents were considered for the study, out of which 100 responses were received representing 76.92% response rate. A questionnaire was used to collect data. The study adopted the purposive sampling technique in selecting respondents. Pearson correlation and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. The study showed that the occupational safety practices in the printing industry in Kumasi mainly ensured that, proper machine handling procedures were undertaken. The study also showed that training, employee attitudes, organizational policies on safety, the provision of adequate preventive measures, and adequate information on safety precautions, adequate guarding and safe interventions on machine works, management commitment to safety, constant communication about emergency exit procedures influence a culture of safety. The challenges associated with occupational safety practices in the printing industry in Kumasi were time pressure, pressures of organizational cost cutting, overly strong pursuit for success, management indifference to hazards, lack of clear safety policies and lack of planning and risk assessment. The study recommended establishing the lines of authority for safety; developing a safety policy that includes workplace safety, and includes safety responsibilities in the job descriptions and performance plans of all employees. Also, building awareness and caring for safety by emphasizing safety throughout the company safety policy and practically throughout the company.