Abstract:
The woodworking industry is considered to be a risk-prone working environment since
every working item and materials used present potential danger through accidents or
health risk. Workers in the woodworking industry are also faced with potential accidents
that can be caused by flying wood chips and some parts of the machines that may be
broken. This study assessed the occupational health and safety hazard associated with
wood machining operation in a selected wood processing and marketing centre in Ghana.
The study adopted mixed approach design of observation, cross-sectional survey,
experimental and interventional design. Positivism and phenomenologist philosophical
paradigms as well as inductive and deductive research approaches were used. The data
was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientist. Findings from the study
indicate that none of the wood processing machines assessed had operator’s manual,
safety code or signs on them. Most of the safety parts were absent. However, few were
improvised. The mean ratings of machine operator’s adherence to practicing occupational
health and safety were lower than the theoretical mean of 3.0. This implies that the
machine operators do not practice occupational health and safety. The study also revealed
that, there was heavy metal concentration of airborne particulate such as Arsenic,
Cadmium, Copper, Iron, Lead, Manganese and Zinc in the sawdust the workers were
exposed to. Metal concentration levels exposed to by the workers were above
Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Environmental Protection Agency
permissible exposure limits (PEL) thresholds. On workers exposure to sawdust, the result
indicates that workers do experience headache, nausea, eye and skin irritation, shortness
in breathing and coughing. Again, the operation and activities of the woodworkers could
significantly influence their exposure to sawdust. Additionally, the study revealed that the
woodworkers were not provided with personal protective equipment during their
University of Education,Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh
xix
operations. Furthermore, the study revealed that training could significantly influence
the woodworkers’ practice of occupational health and safety in the wood processing
industry. The outcome of this study suggests that the management of the enclave
studied need to do more to enforce practice of safety, especially the use of personal
protective equipment, to reduce hazards and injuries associated with wood processing
industry.
Description:
A Thesis in the Department of Construction and Wood Technology Education,
Faculty of Technical Education, submitted to the School of Research and Graduate
Studies, University of Education, Winneba, in partial fulfilment of the requirements
for award of the Doctor of Philosophy (Wood Science and Technology) degree