OCCUPATIONAL RISKS AND HAZARDS, KNOWLEDGE OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICIES, AND SAFETY PRACTICES AMONG WORKERS AT MAIDUGURI FLOUR MILLS PLC, MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT Occupational injury is a global problem that leads to irreversible impairments and death among employees in the manufacturing industry. Up to 40–50% of the industrial workforce is exposed to several occupational hazards in Nigeria and Africa at large. Weymouth and Portland Health and Safety Questionnaire is used to investigate health and safety of the workplace.The questionnaire consists of four sections which sought for Socio- demographic characteristic, level of exposure occupational risks and hazards,level of knowledge of occupational health and safety policies and precaution measures and use of personal protective equipments. Sample of convenience was used to recruit a total of 92 workers at the Maiduguri Flour Mills who participated in this study.Chi square was used to analyse the data obtained.Among the 92 workers, 42(45.7%) were permanent workers while 41(44.6%) were contract workers. About 78(84.8%) had a working experience of 10 years and below. 48(52.2%) were above the ages of 25 years with 39(39.1%) having a degree qualification. Significant association(0.05) was observed in level of knowledge of occupational health and safety policies among workers of different appointment status. There was no significant association (p value=0.90) in level of knowledge of occupational health and safety policies among workers of different age groups.This study revealed that exposure to occupational risks and hazards among workers of Maiduguri Flour Mills to be moderately exposed to most values reported by their counterpart within the country and around the world. It is recommended that Government should enforce compliance to health and safety measures in the industries so as to eliminate or minimize to the barest minimum occupation risks and hazards at the industries.