Knowledge And Practice of Occupational Safety Among Quarry Workers in A Rural Community in Edo State

Background: The quarry industry remains one of the most dangerous industries to work in because of the enormous hazards associated with the art of quarrying which may manifest long after the worker ceases to work in the quarry. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge and practice of occupational safety among quarry workers in Ikpeshi, a rural community in Edo State, Nigeria. Methodology: A descriptive, cross sectional study was carried out among the quarry workers. Respondents were selected using multi-stage sampling technique. A structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. The data was analysed using SPSS version 16. Results: A total of 410 quarry workers made up of 206 (50.2%) process operators, 68 (16.6%) drillers, 57 (13.9%) plant operators, 39 (9.5%) maintenance workers, 31 (7.6%) drivers and 9 (2.2%) shot firers were interviewed. Their mean (SD) age was 27.0 (5.9) years and 338 (82.4%) were males. Two hundred and thirty five (57.3%) were aware of safety measures in the quarries and the major source of information was from friends (67.8%). Only 137 (33.4%) used personal protective equipment at all times while working. Awareness of diseases associated with working in a quarry was poor. Conclusion: The level of awareness of safety measures did not translate to use of personal protective equipment among the Journal of Community Medicine and Primary Health Care VOL. 23, NOS 1&2, MAR/SEPT. 2011