Can occupational safety and health problems be prevented or not? Exploring the perception of informal automobile artisans in Nigeria

It is well-known that informal workers in developing countries run a high risk of Occupational Safety and Health Problems (OSH problems). However, little is known about their perception of the preventability of these problems. This study explores how informal automobile artisans in Nigeria perceive the preventability of OSH problems and possible barriers to prevention. 43 artisans were purposively interviewed. Only one third of the participants perceived OSH problems as preventable, while a majority perceived OSH problems as not preventable. Their perception of the causes of OSH problems and cost considerations strongly influenced their perceptions of the preventability of OSH problems. The major perceived barrier to prevention is economic insecurity and, as a consequence, non-availability of modern equipment. The study concluded that availability of accessible loans and regular training of the artisans may be helpful in preventing and reducing OSH problems in the informal sector.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2020.105097
• Record URL:
  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S092575352030494X
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/09257535
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2020 Juliana Funmilayo Afolabi, Paul DeBeer, and Joke A Haafkens. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Abstract reprinted with permission of Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Afolabi, Funmilayo Juliana
  • de Beer, Paul
  • Haafkens, Joke A
• Publication Date: 2021-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: References;
• Serial:
  • Safety Science
  • Volume: 135
  • Issue Number: 0
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0925-7535
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09257535

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobile repair shops; Developing countries; Health hazards; Mechanics (Persons); Occupational safety; Repair and maintenance businesses
• Geographic Terms: Nigeria
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01762067
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 10 2020 3:12PM