Occupational Hazards And Safety Practices A Concern Among Small Scale Sawmilling Industries In Tamale Metropolis Ghana

Abstract Occupational hazards and safety should be paramount for the well-being of any industrial worker. The main aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalent hazardsdangers encountered by workers in the Tamale Metropolis when working on woodtimber species. A survey involving the use of questionnaires interviews and observations were used as tools for the investigation. The sample size for this study was made up of 60 respondents from the three constituencies within the Metropolis Tamale North Tamale South and Tamale Central. The data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists version 16. Per our findings work hazards are associated with a wide range of injuries and illnesses such as cut-type of injuries fractures sprains catarrh waist pains eye problems and dizziness. Also a significant number of workers in the study area did not use Personal Protective Equipment PPE when operating machines or performing jobs that required their use. Hence the attitude and behavior of workers towards health and safety should be of major concern to employers or management of this industry. Health and safety education as well as training and provision of PPEs are therefore strongly recommended to prevent or minimize work-related accidents injuries and illnesses.