An Assessment of the Challenges Faced in the Enforcement of the Obligation of Health and Safety In The Mining Sector.

Abstract

The study intended to investigate the challenges faced in the enforcement of the obligation of health and safety in the mining sector, taking a case study of Namekara mining company. The objectives of the study were to assess the challenges faced in the company in the enforcement of the health and safety obligation, to examine the attitude, behavior and level of response of workers towards health and safety practices, to analyze the rate at which the health and safety obligation is practiced and to find out if the executive director and top managers support the health and safety department at Namekara mining company. In regards to the methodology that was used, the research study was carried out using both qualitative and quantitative approaches using research design as a case study. Data was gathered using questionnaires that were self-administered, interviews and review of available literature, documents and records from the internet and other sources. It was later analyzed using tables of tally and frequencies from which conclusions were drawn The research study revealed that there are challenges faced by the company in the fulfilment of the obligation of health and safety. It was also discovered that the company practices the health and safety obligation at their premises. In fulfilling the obligation of health and safety, it was discovered that there are practices done and these include, provision of personal protective equipment, scheduling of tool box meetings, health checkups and trainings in regard to health and safety are done. Further, the study showed that some of the health and safety requirements are highly emphasized and practiced for example provision of PPE and scheduling of tool box meetings are highly practiced and then health checkups and trainings in regards to health and safety are practiced least in the company The study further revealed that the challenges mostly faced by the company are, limited time to carry out the health and safety obligation, followed by theft and misuse of the provided PPE by the workers, then negative attitude of the workers and finally lack of support from the executives. However, it was further discovered that there are those challenges that are highly faced compared to others and these were limited time and theft of the PPE were highly ranked and then the negative attitude of workers and lack of support are the least faced challenges. The study the concludes that, even though these challenges exist and keep affecting the health and safety department and the company at large, the health and safety team has never given up on carrying out its duties since it is required of them by their bosses and the authorities from the government as well. Therefore, to meet the required standards and also protect their workers against the challenges in the mining sector the company still works with the challenges