Abstract:
Background: The Jua kali industry relies on a steady stream of incoming scrap
metal from industrial operations and individual scrap peddlers. Despite the
progress made in the scrap metal industry, workers are still potentially
exposed to hazards from ergonomic, noise, dusts, fumes, and powerful
machinery especially those working in upcoming towns.
Objective: The main objective of the study was to assess factors associated with
welders’ exposure to occupational hazards during their duties.
Study Setting: The study was conducted at the North Rift Jua Kali Enterprises
in Eldoret town.
Study Subjects: The study targeted 140 welders who were already working in
the North Rift Jua Kali Enterprises in Eldoret town, key informants including,
official from NRJKE, labour officer and public health officer in charge of
occupational safety and health (OSH).
Methods: The study utilized a cross sectional study design. Simple random
sampling technique was employed to recruit the workers based on their
employment numbers or registration numbers. In addition, purposive
sampling technique was employed to select key informants including, official
from NRJKE, labour officer and public health officer in charge of occupational
safety and health (OSH).
Results: Welding is predominantly a male dominated occupation 87(88.8%).
Majority 36(36.7%) of the welders were aged 26-35 years. Most welders had at
least some primary school education 43(43.9%). Majority of the welders
83(84.7%) were employed as casuals. Factors associated with occurrence of
occupational health hazards among welders in Eldoret are; age (X2 = 6.788; p
<0.001), education level (X2 = 2.048; p <0.001) and level of awareness on use of
PPEs (X2 = 0.832; p <0.001). The key informants indicated the level of working
experience and level of education.
Conclusions and recommendations: Welding of metals in Eldoret is mainly
done by young males who are usually employed on casual basis. The mainactors associated with exposure to occupational hazards among the welders
are age, level of education and level of awareness on use of PPEs. There is need
to target the younger welders with health awareness messages on using
personal protective equipment’s in order to reduce exposure to occupational
hazards.
