Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge of local saw millers on
industrial hazards and personal safety concerns in the satellite and unregistered saw
mills in the Accra metropolis with the aim of helping to reduce if not eliminate the
rampant occurrence of injuries in the wood /furniture industry. The machine operators
and carpenters at the Accra Timber market formed the population or sample frame for
the study. A sample size of 100 was randomly selected. 40% master craft men and
60% apprentice (trainees/ employees). The data collected was analysed using
descriptive statistics. To achieve this, working experience and educational level of the
respondents was cross - tabulated with the research questions to arrive at frequencies,
percentages and mean differences among the variables. P - Value of 5% (P< 0.05)
was used to analyse the seven hypotheses formulated. Questionnaires, interviews and
observations were used. Two sets of closed ended form, of twenty items each were
designed to collect relevant data from the sample. The result indicated that, the wood
workers at Accra timber market is male dominated since all respondents reported to
be males. It further indicated that the majority of the workers had basic education
which reflected on their knowledge level of safety at their work places. It showed
very weak attitude towards safety precautions even though majority indicated they
observed safety at work. 65% indicated that they did not use safety clothing and
devices and 95% of the total respondents also indicated they did not have fire safety
equipment at all. The recommendations among others included the following. Factory
inspectors should be resourced to intensify supervision and education on safety.
Government should develop interest in the safety of wood workers since they are one
of the major contributors in the nation's infrastructure development. Employers
should be mandated to implement regulations on safety to the benefit of their
employees.
Description:
A Dissertation Presented to the Department Of Construction And Wood
Education, Faculty Of Technical Education, Submitted to the School Of
Graduate Studies, University of Education, Winneba, in Partial Fulfilment of
The Requirements For The Award of Master of Technology in Wood Science
And Technology Degree.
AUGUST, 2022