IMPACT OF SAFETY AWARENESS ON SAFETY PERFORMANCE OF WASTE WORKERS IN SELECTED GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS IN NIGER-DELTA

Orajiaka-Uchegbu, C.C.; Ugwoha, E.; Wejie-Okachi, C.

Authors

Orajiaka-Uchegbu, C.C. Centre for Occupational Health, Safety and Environment, Institute of Petroleum Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Ugwoha, E. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Wejie-Okachi, C. Centre for Occupational Health, Safety and Environment, Institute of Petroleum Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Keywords:

Safety Awareness, Safety Performance, Hospital Waste Workers, Niger-Delta region

Abstract

This paper examined the impact of safety awareness on safety performance of waste workers in selected government hospitals in Niger-Delta region. Safety awareness was operationalized using modified safety awareness scores while safety performance was captured using leading and lagging safety performance. Cross-sectional and inferential designs were adopted. The population comprised hospital waste workers in three selected government hospitals in Imo, Rivers and Akwa-Ibom State. Data collection was done using questionnaire designed based on 5-point Likert scale. Data analysis were done using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The results of the descriptive statistics using mean weighted average (WA) revealed that the waste workers have substantial level of safety awareness (WA = 3.76>3.00) and the safety performance of the waste workers is good (WA = 3.54 >3). The regression analysis revealed that safety awareness had a positive and significant impact on safety performance of waste workers in selected hospitals in Niger-Delta. It was, therefore, concluded that safety awareness has positive and substantial impact on safety performance of waste workers in government-owned hospitals in Niger-Delta.