Occupational hazards and safety measures among stone quarry workers in northern Nigeria

Abstract

The health conditions of workers all over the world vary widely, depending among others on the geographical location, the type of employment and the patterns of work. The study was undertaken to determine the occupational hazards, and safety measures among Stone quarry workers in Zaria, Northern Nigeria. It involved the administration of questionnaires to all the workers in the quarry in Zaria City in order to obtain data on socio-demographic characteristics, occupational profile, hazards, safety measures and PEAK flow measurement. A total of seventy four workers were interviewed, their age ranged from 15-50yrs. Majority of the workers were in the age group 25-29 yrs [37.8%]. Most of the workers had injuries/cuts from stones 68.9%, respiratory symptoms [nasal discharge [52.3%], eye irritations 14.9%. A worker had traumatic amputation of Right thumb. PEF values of most (55.4%) of the workers were abnormal. Most workers are at serious risk of ill-health and injuries/accidents because of the conditions they encounter in their workplaces. All the quarry sites had no preventive/safety measures for the workforce; nor recreational lavatory facilities. There is urgent need on the part of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals to institute and enforce measures to prevent this menace. This requires a multi-disciplinary approach. Research into occupational hazards in stone quarry needs to be pursued vigorously.

Keywords: occupational hazards; safety measures; stone quarries

Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 50 (2) 2006: pp 42-47