Effect of Occupational Safety and Health Training on Performance of Cement Manufacturing Firms in Kenya

Abstract

Purpose: This study sought to establish the effect of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) training on occupational accidents on performance of cement manufacturing firms in Kenya. The study further sought to examine the moderating effect of management support on the relationship between employee training on occupational accidents and performance of cement manufacturing firms in Kenya.
 Methodology: The study was informed by entropy model and human factor theory. The study adopted the descriptive research design which used both quantitative and qualitative approach to determine the relationship between employee training and performance of cement manufacturing firms in Kenya. The unit of analysis was the six cement manufacturing firms in Kenya while the unit of observation was five cement manufacturing firms. Stratified random sampling was used to obtain the sample size of 344 respondents drawn from human resource management, production department and marketing department.
 Findings: The study established that occupational safety and health training had a significant and positive effect on performance of cement manufacturing firms in Kenya. The study also established that management support had significant moderating effect on the relationship between occupational accidents and performance of cement manufacturing firms in Kenya.
 Conclusion: OSH training on occupational accidents had a positive and significant effect on the performance of cement manufacturing firms in Kenya. Through continued OSH training there was drastic decline in the number of accidents at the work place which was associated with straining of resources and low productivity.
 Recommendation: The study recommend that manufacturing firms should implement control measures which include safety videos, audios, regular OSH training and pamphlets on safety among others. The stakeholders should ensure regular inspection of safety control measures. The government should ensure timely review of safety policies by organizations and compliance to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Act (2007) Laws of Kenya.