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Abstract

This study sought to identify and document key issues affecting occupational health and safety among artisans in the informal sector in the Bibiani Municipality of the Western North Region of Ghana. To realize this objective, a descriptive cross-sectional study using the qualitative approach was employed. This was done after an ethical clearance had been obtained from the Ghana Health Service Ethics Committee and prior consent was sought from all participants and managers of the study sites. A total of fifteen artisans participated in the study. The artisans spanned three major categories namely: fabrication, construction, and auto mechanic. A semi-structured interview guide was used to obtain responses from the participants through in-depth interviews. Valuable notes were also made from observations during the interview process. Data from the interview were transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically. Firstly, most respondents displayed adequate knowledge of the concept of occupational health and safety, especially in the area of hazard identification. Secondly, most of the respondents showed positive attitudes toward occupational health and safety. This was evident in their expressed prioritization of occupational safety among all other factors needed to be productive at work. Thirdly, the artisans exhibited an appreciable level of occupational safety practices. Each respondent used at least one PPE on a regular basis. Finally, it was observed that the emergency preparedness of the respondents in the area of first aid responses and fire outbreak management was inadequate. The findings showed that there is more room for improvement for the artisans in the informal sector with regard to their knowledge, attitudes, and utilization of safe practices. There must be regular training for artisans to help update their knowledge and practices on occupational health and safety issues. The district and municipal authorities together with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must organize such training on a regular basis for artisans. Artisans must be strongly encouraged to join well-organized associations to make such training effective. There must be a national law targeting occupational health and safety issues for workers in the informal sector, with an enforcement regime visible at the local level. This will help improve compliance and minimize the incidents of workplace injuries and ill-health.

Keywords

Health Occupational Health Health and Safety Artisans Bibiani Municipality

Article Details

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Author Biography

Daniel Obeng-Ofori , Professor and Vice Chancellor, Catholic University of Ghana, Fiapre-Sunyani, Bono Region

Daniels OBENG-OFORI is a Professor of Applied Biology and Agricultural Entomology and a distinguished University Administrator. Born in Berekum in the Bono Region of Ghana, Professor Obeng-Ofori obtained a BSc honours degree in Agriculture from the University of Ghana, Legon in 1982 and did his national service at the Agricultural Research Centre, Kade in 1982, and was appointed Teaching/Research Assistant at the Department of Crop Science, Legon in 1983. He did his MPhil and PhD degrees in Applied Biology and Agricultural Entomology, respectively at the University of Cambridge, UK from 1986 to 1990. His research interests are mostly centred on chemical ecology and the management of agricultural pests for sustainable crop production, postharvest technology, and public health. He was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Nairobi, Kenya from 1991-1994 where he worked on the chemical ecology of the desert locust. Apart from scholarly publications, a patent on their pioneer work titled “Gregarisation-disrupting factors in a novel approach of controlling locusts and grasshoppers” was awarded to ICIPE in 2000. In 1994, Prof. Obeng-Ofori won the prestigious Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship at the Federal Biological Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry and Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany. Professor Obeng-Ofori returned to Ghana and joined the Department of Crop Science, University of Ghana, Legon in 1996 as a lecturer. By dint of hard work, he was promoted to Senior lecturer in 1997, Associate Professor in 2001 and Professor in 2004. During his career at Legon from 1996-2012, he held several administrative positions including Head of Department of Crop Science, Vice-Dean of the School of Agriculture, Acting Dean, Deputy Provost of College of Agriculture &   Consumer Sciences, Coordinator of the African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Science (ARPPIS), West Africa Sub-Regional Centre. Professor Obeng-Ofori was the Foundation Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Sunyani, Ghana from 2012-2016. He has been the President of the Catholic University College of Ghana (CUCG) since 2016. As an astute academic, he has travelled extensively as visiting scholar and conducted research and participated in numerous national and international scientific conferences in Africa, Europe and USA. As a distinguished Researcher, Professor Obeng-Ofori has published widely and has successfully supervised several undergraduate dissertations, Master and PhD theses. He reviews scientific manuscripts for publication in 35 scholarly journals and is a member of many scientific and professional bodies. He has been a Team Leader in many funded research projects at UG, Legon and UENR. He has served as a consultant for several local and international institutions such as the World Bank, FAO, UN, UNIDO, USAID, DFID and NAB. At the National and International Levels, Professor Obeng-Ofori has held various positions including the President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Legon, President of Ghana Science Association (GSA), Accra branch and the National President of GSA. He was also the President of the Entomological Society of Ghana (ESG) and the African Association of Insect Scientists (AAIS). Professor Obeng-Ofori is the first African Council Member of the International Congress of Entomology (ICE) and a member of the Permanent Committee of the Working Conference of Stored Product Protection. Professor Obeng-Ofori has won several academic awards from the International Biographical Centre, Cambridge and the American Biographical Institute, USA. He served as the Humboldt Ambassador Scientist for Ghana from 2016-2019. He has been the Chairman of the Council of Independent Universities in Ghana since 2019. Undoubtedly, Professor Obeng-Ofori has made an outstanding contribution to human resource development, research and capacity building in Ghana as a teacher, researcher and university administrator.

How to Cite
Alhaji Ishak, M., & Obeng-Ofori , D. (2022). Occupational Health and Safety Issues among Artisans in the Bibiani Municipality. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies and Innovative Research, 10(2), 1441–1459. https://doi.org/10.53075/Ijmsirq/6564453446
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