Assessment of the level of compliance with occupational safety and health act 2007 in public TVET institutions in Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

This study assessed level of compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Act 2007 (OSHA 2007) in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study assessed level of awareness on OSHA 2007, compliance of risk management and safe systems of work with OSHA 2007. A cross sectional survey was done on a population of fourteen TVET institutions with 1621 employees and questionnaires were used. Stratified random sampling based on courses and management produced seven institutions and 261 employees. Means of ten Key Dimensions (KD1-KD10) were analyzed by SPSS to assess level of compliance with OSHA 2007. All dimensions were transformed into three variables and multiple linear regression analysis done. Mean values (Likert scale1-5) were grouped as least Acceptable (LA) for non-compliance, moderately acceptable (MA), for low compliance and highly acceptable (HA) for compliance. 16.7 % institutions had accidents registers, 50% were unregistered as workplaces and 16.7 % were audited. 54 (26 %) employees were trained in safety while 74 % were not and hence non-compliance. Key dimensions means ranged from 1.97-3.48 in all institutions; with most being compliant and the rest with low compliance. A statistically significant relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variable existed, since F (3, 204) = 169.050, p<.000. The F-ratio implied the model is within the general population and the results can be generalized in Kenya. Rating of impact of variables indicated risk management practices was highest, (beta=0.381); level of knowledge and awareness was second, (beta =0.356) and safe systems of work (beta=0.192) was third. The level of awareness on OSHA 2007 was low; risk management was low and safe systems of work ineffective and hence low compliance. Robust systems should be implemented to support raising awareness on OSHA, functional risk management and a safe system of work.