Individual Research Projects(IRP)

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Browsing Individual Research Projects(IRP) by Author "Adaba, H.G.N."

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    Occupational Safety and Health Protection for the Workforce: A Focus on the Chemical Industries in Nigeria
    (National Institute Kuru, 2003-11-30) Adaba, H.G.N.
    There has been a vast increase in the use of chemicals over the past decade. Chemicals have helped to improve the quality of life in agriculture as agrochemicals and fertilizers and as chemotherapeutic drugs in the treatment of cancer and other diseases. They are also used in the manufacture of lightweight materials, insulation materials in buildings, acrylic adhesives, superglue and plastics. Despite the use of chemicals in improving the quality of life, some of them can harm or kill if used wrongly. It is estimated that the number of chemicals in the market is approximately 80,000. Out of this number 4,000 to 8,000 are considered hazardous. It is also estimated that 160 million workers fall ill annually as a result of workplace exposure and hazards while 1.2 million workers die as a result of occupational accidents and diseases. The study therefore examined occupational safety and health protection for the workforce with a focus on chemical industries in Nigeria. A survey was carried out on various industries that manufacture chemicals or largely make use of chemicals in their manufacturing processes and also on the Factory Inspectorate Division of the Federal Ministry of Employment, Labour and Productivity which is the arm of government with statutory powers for the prevention of workplace hazards. The study reviewed legislation which provide occupational safety and health protection particularly from chemical hazards, with a view to accessing their adequacy. From the findings, the major constraints that militated against an effective occupational safety and health protection for the workforce both from the governmental angle and from those of factory employers and workers were identified. Some of these constraints were observed to be inadequate national laws and regulations, non- availability of a national policy on occupational safety and health, weak enforcement system, low commitment of employers to occupational safety and health and ignorance of the workers of their duties and rights with regard to the safe use of chemicals at work. Based on these findings, the study proposed recommendations that would address the constraints and hence pave way for a more adequate and effective occupational safety and health protection for the workforce. Some of these recommendations are increase in the budgetary allocation to the Factory Inspectorate Division of the Federal Ministry of Labour, conclusion and proclamation of the draft national policy on occupational safety and health and revision of the Factories Act to include aspect of chemical safety that were originally left out. Strategies for the implementation of the recommendations were also proffered.