Occupational Safety and Health Practices, Challenges and Improvement Strategy in Tannery Industries: A case of Ethio-Leather Industry PLC (ELICO)
| dc.contributor.advisor | Kassu, Jilcha (PhD) | |
| dc.contributor.author | Fitsum, Ambachew | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2021-11-16T04:29:45Z | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2023-11-18T06:26:46Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2021-11-16T04:29:45Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2023-11-18T06:26:46Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2021-06 | |
| dc.description.abstract | The magnitude and severity of work related accidents and health problems are increasing worldwide and even worsen in developing nations like ours. This is mainly due to poor OSH practice and policies. In Ethiopia, only very few researches were conducted in regard to OSH practice of tanneries and those studies covered only one aspect of OSH, focusing only on the health aspect or the safety issue lacking an inclusive approach to address the challenges. In addition, consideration of performance and productivity aspects of tannery workers in line with the OSH practices, challenges, improvement as well as in depth analysis to technology (tanning machinery) aspects were also overlooked. Importantly, the studies have not addressed an integrated improvement strategy that should be developed after analyzing existing OSH practices. Hence, this study aimed to assess OSH practices, challenges and improvements in two leather tanneries in Ethiopia, Awash and Abyssinia tanneries in a holistic approach by addressing the previous gaps. A descriptive survey was conducted at Awash and Abyssinia tanneries of ELICO over a study period of (2011-2012) E.C. A comprehensive questionnaire, structured interview and direct observation were employed to acquire primary data. For secondary data review of company records, manuals and formats besides an in-depth review OSH studies in global and Ethiopia tannery industries were made. A representative sample of 223(44.33%) drawn from the target population and questionnaires distributed via random sampling from which 208 (93%) of them were used. Quantitative data was analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics, SPPS version 20.0 was adopted for analysis. Data from interview, secondary data and observation were analyzed qualitatively. From the study participants 65.4% sustained injury and 67.8% had work related illness at least once within the study period. A total of 733 sick leaves, 503 absentees and 176 hospitalization days were reported due to injuries and illness. Cut, abrasion, falling, eye injury, wound and suffocation found to be the major accidents, while backache, headache, respiratory diseases, skin complications, dizziness, asthma, muscle related problems and allergy were the major illness observed. The most commonly affected body parts were the hands, fingers, backbone, leg, toe and the knees. The identified etiologies for occupational illness were airborne contaminants, hazardous chemicals, working for long duration in standing and sitting positions, lack of ventilation, bad smell, tedious job, raw hides and skins. Whereas, wet and slippery floors, poor layout, lifting heavy objects, unsafe tanning machineries, improper manual handling, toxic chemical contact, and dust were major predisposing factors for job-related injuries. Industrial injuries were significantly correlated with gender, educational level, work experience, salary and work unit, while work-related illness showed significant association with age, educational level, service time and working unit. Female workers are more likely to face injuries than their male counterparts. Moreover, Respondents who have been working for more years (>15 Yrs.) have almost half less exposure to industrial accidents and 2.5 times more vulnerable to occupational illness than respondents with less experience. The findings indicate that the OSH practice of the case tanneries is not in accordance with what has been defined as OSH “best practices”. Hence, a continual improvement strategy is forwarded to advance the OSH practice of the case tanneries. Conclusions, recommendations and future research directions were also forwarded. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/12345678/28670 | |
| dc.language.iso | en_US | en_US |
| dc.publisher | Addis Ababa University | en_US |
| dc.subject | Tanning Industry | en_US |
| dc.subject | OSH | en_US |
| dc.subject | Practice | en_US |
| dc.subject | Occupational | en_US |
| dc.subject | Accidents and Diseases | en_US |
| dc.subject | Productivity | en_US |
| dc.subject | Factors | en_US |
| dc.subject | Tanneries | en_US |
| dc.subject | Improvement | en_US |
| dc.title | Occupational Safety and Health Practices, Challenges and Improvement Strategy in Tannery Industries: A case of Ethio-Leather Industry PLC (ELICO) | en_US |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_US |