COMPLIANCE TO OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH PRACTICES AMONG WORKERS IN FLOWER FARMS IN EMBU COUNTY, KENYA
COMPLIANCE TO OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH PRACTICES AMONG WORKERS IN FLOWER FARMS IN EMBU COUNTY, KENYA
Barongo Bevalyne Gechemba - Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Dr. Peterson Njogu Warutere - Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Dr. Isaac K. Makau - Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Kenyatta University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
The implementation of occupational safety and health in workplaces is of significance in improving safety working condition in horticultural sector in Kenya. The main objective of the study was to assess the level of compliance to occupational health practices among flower farm workers in Embu County, Kenya. Specific objectives were to determine risk identification and assessment practices among flower farms in Embu County, Kenya, to determine the level of compliance on surveillance of worker’s health among flower farms in Embu County, Kenya and to determine the degree of occupational safety and health awareness among flower farm workers in Embu County, Kenya. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was used. The study population was 859 comprised of employees working in flower farms in Embu County. A sample size of 300 selected through stratified random sampling. Structured questionnaires, observational checklist, FGD and KII were also utilized to collect data. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistic technique and inferential analysis technique Pearson’s Moment Correlation and regression. The study revealed that there is a strong, significant positive correlation between OSH Risk identification and assessment practices and compliance with Safe Work Environment (r=0.799, P=0.001<0.01). The study established that Surveillance of workers’ health had a strong, significant, positive influence on compliance with occupational Safety and health practices in Flower farms in Embu County (r=0.711, P=0.021<0.05 ). Further, the study established that the degree of awareness on safety and health has a strong, significant and positive correlation with Compliance of Occupational Safety and Health practices (r=0.721, P=0.037<0.05. The study concluded that there was a high level of risk identification and assessment practices thus improving the level of compliance with OSH practices in the flower farms in Embu County. The study concluded that there exists a health surveillance program indicating compliance to OSH practices in the flower farms in Embu County. From the results, there was high level of employee awareness on safety and health among the workers a predictor of level of compliance with OSH practices in the flower farms in Embu County.
