Particulate matter, hazard awareness and self-adherence among Setraco quarry workers in Ugwuele, Uturu, Nigeria

Abstract

Exposure to particulate matter (PM) is a major health hazard in explorative industries. This is exacerbated by observed low hazard awareness and self-adherence measures among quarry workers. Specifically, this quantitative paper examined whether safety policy adopted by management of quarry industry have led to self-adherence to safety, to determine if knowledge of particulate hazard promotes safety-adherence to safety, and to uncover whether cardiorespiratory symptoms experienced by quarry workers are  resultant effects of exposure to PM among quarry workers. 28 purposively selected middle aged, male workers without history of underlying illness, and who have been working for a minimum of three years at Setraco quarry in Ugwuele, Uturu, Nigeria, were  sampled. Three formulated hypotheses were tested with Pearson‘s Chi-square statistical tool (χ² ). Results showed that flexible safety policy ((χ² ) = 1.95; df= 1; N= 28; P= <0.05) and inadequate information on the health implications of PM ((χ² )= 11.97; df= 1; N= 28; P= <0.05) influenced low-self-adherence, while cardiorespiratory symptoms experienced by quarry workers are results of exposure to PM (χ² = 6.61; df= 1; N= 28; P= <0.05). The study recommended a re-evaluation of corporate safety policy through the incorporation of health officials in safety training programmes. This will aid the development of self-consciousness on the implications of PM to workers‘ health.

Keywords: Hazard awareness, Particulate matter, Quarry, Self-adherence.