Status of Occupational Safety and Health of Soapstone Mine Workers in Tabaka, Kisii County, Kenya

Abstract

Mining is an industry that significantly contributes to the improvement of economic growth and development in many countries. The global rates of occupational injuries, illnesses and fatalities associated with mining are alarming. The international Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that quarrying activities accounts for 8% of the world work related fatalities. Quarrying in Kenya creates employment opportunities, support local construction and a major source of national economy. Kisii County is enriched with soapstone resources in Tabaka which are mined and carved to form different sculptures that are sold both locally and internationally. Despite the enactment of legal and institutional frameworks many workers in different sectors work in the presence of occupational hazards which lead to huge burden of accidents, and occupational injuries. The objective of the study was to assess status of occupational health and safety of soapstone mine workers in Tabaka, Kisii County. The research adopted cross sectional design from a population of 222 soapstone mine workers from five selected registered self-help groups involved in mining and carving of soapstone products. A sample of 174 was proportionately randomly selected from the five self-help groups. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on nature and frequency of accidents and awareness on prevention measures on occupational hazards. An interview was conducted with the quarry managers and key informants involved in occupational safety and health. An observational checklist was used to record how quarry activities were performed. The study further measured the level of exposure of noise produced using sound level meter. Data collected was cleaned, coded, tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS version 21.0. It was established that 43.1% of the miners were involved in the main activity of cutting of soapstone into different sizes and shapes. The type of injury experienced most was cuts 51.7% caused by working tools 27% with hands 32.8% being the most injured part of the body. More than half, 58.6% of the miners were aware mining has occupational hazards but were not trained 63.8% to identify occupation hazards. Respondents were aware of use of protective equipment 55.2% but 53.3% had not been trained on occupational health and safety with 53.4%. soapstone miners not reporting the accidents. Drilling recorded an average of 53.2±6.5, crushing 61.4±3.2, and hauling of trucks at 48.8±1.2 in the noise level measurements. The study revealed statistical significance on training and identification of hazards (p=0.000), source of OSH safety at workplace and awareness on prevention of occupation injuries (p=0.000), wearing PPE (p=0.000), type of PPE (p=0.017) and trainer of OSH with awareness on prevention of occupation injuries. The study concluded that there are occupational health and safety hazards associated with soapstone quarry activities in Tabaka, the respondents could identify occupational health and safety hazards and related effects of soapstone quarrying activities. However, soapstone mine workers lacked awareness on prevention of injuries and occupation safety. The Directorate of Occupational Health and Safety (DOSH), NEMA, and County Government of Kisii should enforce Occupational Safety and Health Act and soapstone mine workers should comply to the existing Occupational Safety and Health regulations prevent and control occupational health hazards and related injuries in the sector.