Analysis of risk management practices among extension workers in extension delivery services

Abstract

The study analyzed safety management practices among extension workers in Rivers State, Nigeria. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from respondents. A proportionate sampling technique was employed to select forty eight (48) extension workers from six establishments involved in extension service. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study found that majority (86.6%) of the extension workers were males, within the age range of 30- 40 years (44.4%) and 75% of them were married. All (100%) had postsecondary education qualification and the mean working experience was 13 years. The extension workers were exposed to hazards / risks such as accident on the farm, car/motor/bicycle accident, injury to the leg/hand, encounter with snakes/dangerous animals while on site, exposed to chemicals that are dangerous to health and dust fall. The government establishments had risk management policy that was not practiced by extension workers while the NGOs had risk management practices that were enforced and monitored by management to ensure its full implementation by extension workers. The risk management policy of the NGOs provided for personnel insurance, road, water office and site safety, periodic safety training, hazard analysis, health and environmental protection. The factors militating against risk management practices among workers in government establishment include: lack of safety training, absence of risk management policy and non-provision of safety gargets. Keywords: Risk Management Practices, Extension Workers