Implementation Determinants of Zimbabwe National Occupational Safety and Health Policy in Willowvale Industrial Area, Zimbabwe.

Tarisayi Mkungunugwa,Patrick Opiyo Owili,Adamson Sinjani Muula,Hsien-Wen Kuo

doi:10.3390/ijerph19031424

Abstract

Zimbabwe introduced the National Occupational Safety and Health Policy (ZNOSHP) in August 2014 with the vision and mission to eliminate occupational accidents, injuries, diseases, and fatalities and to promote Occupational Safety and Health (OSH). This study was therefore aimed at exploring the individual- and organizational-level determinants of ZNOSHP’s implementation. Data were collected from 309 workers in the Willowvale industrial area in Harare, Zimbabwe. Negative binomial regression models were used to explore the determinants of ZNOSHP’s implementation. After adjustment, participant’s knowledge of ZNOSHP (Incidence Rate Ratio, IRR = 1.32; 95% Confidence Interval, CI: 1.19–1.46; p ≤ 0.001), production department (IRR = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.03–1.26; p ≤ 0.05), company years of operation (IRR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.21–1.46; p ≤ 0.001), participants who identified several implementation barriers (IRR = 1.12; 95% CI: 1.01–1.25; p ≤ 0.001), and agricultural industry were associated with higher rates of ZNOSHP’s implementation. In conclusion, individual- and organizational-level determinants of implementation of OSH standards were explored, and positive associations were found. Policy implementation, enforcement, and follow up strategies need to be developed in order to ensure adherence to safety measures. This study should be extended to other parts of Zimbabwe in order to develop evidence-based policy.

Highlights

Occupational safety and health (OSH) policies exists to guarantee the health, safety, and wellbeing of all workers [1,2,3]
Even though the majority of the participants had indicated that they were aware of ZNOSHP (88.8%), and that the OSH policy document was available in their organization
This study was aimed at determining the individual- and organizational-level of ZNOSHP implementation and identify barriers to implementation of the OSH policy, before exploring the determinants of ZNOSHP implementation in Willowvale industrial area, Harare, Zimbabwe

Summary

Introduction

Occupational safety and health (OSH) policies exists to guarantee the health, safety, and wellbeing of all workers [1,2,3] These are often overlooked in Zimbabwe, which has led to 20,641 serious injuries among workers and over 400 deaths from injuries in the years between 2009 and 2013 [4]. The industrial production capacity in Zimbabwe increased from 10% in 2009 to 57% in 2011, and it is expected that occupational accidents, injuries, diseases, and deaths will increase. This led to the introduction of the Zimbabwe National

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Discussion

Conclusion