Occupational Safety and Health Hazard Sources, Frequency and Awareness among Workers in Selected Auto Garages in Nairobi’s Industrial Area – Kenya

Abstract

Auto garage workers are faced with various hazards as they carry out their work. However, little has been done by the occupiers to address their occupational safety and health issues. The study assessed awareness of occupational safety and health hazards among workers in selected auto garages in Nairobi, Kenya. This was a descriptive cross sectional study design. Purposive sampling method was used to select Auto garages while simple random sampling was used to choose participants. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Workers were aware that sanitary facilities was a source of hazards in the garages due to their slippery nature. Thirty one (12%) workers confirmed that machines and equipments in their work places were excellent, 128(50%) while 50% of them had contrary opinions. Few (22[9%]) workers confirmed that working benches and floors were excellent, 92(35%). The study concludes that workers in the auto garages in industrial area were aware that they are exposed to different occupational safety and health hazards in the categories of physical, biological, ergonomic and psychological hazards. Hazards arising from auto garages could impair the health and well-being of the workers; therefore, it is necessary to anticipate, recognize, evaluate and control such hazards.