Occupational Health and Safety Management in Selected Stone Quarries in Akamkpa, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

This research aims to study the management of and implementation of occupational health and safety issues associated with stone quarry work in selected quarries in Akamkpa, Cross River State Nigeria. The research objectives include to determine the types of quarrying activities carried out; to assess the occupational health and safety hazards associated with stone-quarry work; to evaluate the awareness of Quarry workers on potential health and safety hazards associated with their work; establish the level of compliance to the use of Personal Protective Equipment by the workers, and to verify the type of health care provision available to the workers. With a target population of four hundred and thirty-five (435) staff of twelve (12) quarries, A sample of two hundred and five (205) respondents was drawn from the target population through simple random sampling procedure. Questionnaires were the major instrument used for data collection and designed in a 4-point modified Likert scale based on the objectives of the study and validated to be in conformance with ISO 45001:2018 checklist.  Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings were that 61.7% of respondents are aware that quarry work is highly hazardous, 84.6% do not make use of Personal Protective Equipment. 93.5% inhale particulate materials, 60% have trouble in breathing, 63% experience back and waist pain, 67.2% experience catarrh and 66.7% experience cough at work. 91.5% of workers responded that there were no emergency provisions at site while 96.5% respondents do not have any health insurance, a large percent (85.1%) self-medicates. The totality of evidence from this research supports the conclusions that stone-quarry workers are highly exposed to health and safety hazards, they have no PPE or access to medical care. It is recommended that the Federal and State Government should establish laws and establish an agency to regulate, enforce and monitor compliance to health and safety in Quarries.