Effects of Motor Vehicle Body Workshop Operations on Workers Safety and Health in Nakuru, Kenya

Abstract

Hundreds of millions of motor vehicles have been produced worldwide. In Kenya the majority of vehicles imported have been used abroad while a small percentage of commercial vehicles are locally assembled. When vehicle bodies are affected by accident or scratches from external objects, they do require the panels to be repaired and spray painted to restore such to original condition. These repairs are done in motor vehicle body repair workshop. Due to increased number of vehicles on Kenyan roads and the nature of driving, accidents and subsequent vehicle body damages are on the rise. The study was carried out on 66 sampled motor vehicle workshops that are located in Nakuru town, Kenya. In view of this background the study sought to determine motor vehicle body workshop activity effects on the workers safety and health. Specifically the study examined the hazards in these workplaces, evaluated workers awareness regarding safety and health issues and assessed the challenges that affect the implementation of occupational safety and health regulations in the motor vehicle body workshops. The study employed various techniques of gathering data. Samples of 112 motor vehicle body workshop workers were interviewed using a questionnaire. The other aspect involved the interview of workshop managers and observation of the safety practices. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics (SSPS Version 17.0). The main findings of the study showed that 74.4% of the workers surveyed complain of chest pain after carrying out spray painting on vehicle bodies. The study finding also shows that the main cause of workers injury are cuts with 69.4% of those surveyed acknowledging having experienced the same. Results also indicated that 79.1% of the workers surveyed have not had any formal training on occupational safety and health, thus indicating that awareness is a significant challenge. Based on the study findings three major recommendations are provided so as to improve occupational safety and health in these workplaces. First awareness campaign and training should be undertaken to increase these workers understanding on work safety and health practices. Secondly, a concerted effort should be made to provide the workers with suitable PPE to minimize injuries that occur through cuts and effects of paint fumes. Finally a special effort should be made to medically establish the extent and severity of chest pains that workers experience after spray painting. In this way these workplaces will not only contribute to the economy but also enhance the safety and health of the workers.