Workplace Safety and Health Conditions and Facilities in Small Industries in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

A lot of attention has been paid to improving occupational safety and health (OSH) in small scale industries all over the globe. This study describes the outcomes of a preliminary OSH status assessment in small scale industries of motor vehicle repair workshops (MVRW) in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). An inspection tool composed of 10 OSH elements and 62 items employed walk-through survey, observations and interviews. The mean positive responses for different OSH elements surveyed were as follows; personal protective equipment (PPEs) (43%), emergency preparedness (49%), fire protection (60%), facilities (80%), general workshop safety (43%), housekeeping (17%), chemical exposure (12%), services and maintenance (57%), mechanical handling (81%) and tool safety (63%). However, special concerns were found for OSH elements including; use of PPE’s, emergency preparedness, general workshops safety, housekeeping and exposures to chemicals as having safety score less than 50%. OSH elements with lower positive responses at surveyed workshops would be addressed through further monitoring and training of technical and administrative staff. This preliminary survey will form the basis of a more comprehensive study for evaluation of an accurate representative OSH status in small scale industries in KSA.