Perceptual Measures of Determinants of Implementation of Occupational Safety and Health Programmes in the Manufacturing Sector in Kenya

Abstract

The growth in manufacturing sector in Kenya has resulted in increase in work related hazards which have a long term economic implication to the firms and economy. The formulation and implementation of OSH programmes have therefore become a priority for industries. This study endeavored to find out the perceptions of determinants of implementation of OSH programmes in the manufacturing sector in Kenya. It started with a background of OSH as indicated by various scholars, ILO and OSH law. The independent variables of the study were management support, employee training, legal framework and employee participation while the dependent variable was implementation of OSH programmes. A moderating factor, namely organization structure, was embedded into the study. The study adopted crosssectional

survey design but however gathered both qualitative and quantitative data. The sample size consisted of 259 industries randomly selected from the list of 735 manufacturing industries registered by Kenya association of manufacturers (2013). A self administered semi structured questionnaire was used to collect data. SSPS window version 21 was used to generate both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicated that the respondents were in agreement that all the factors determined implementation of OSH programmes. The qualitative data indicated that the industries faced challenges in implementing OSH programmes that included lack of cooperation from employees, difficulties in interpreting OSH statutory requirements, lack of management commitment, compromise of inspection standards by government officers and so on. Coefficient correlation for management support was 0.42, employee training 0.64, legal framework 0.64 and employee participation 0.35.The regression model showed that management support explained 17.7% implementation of OSH programmes, employee training 42.2%, legal framework 42.2% and employee participation 12.25%. The overall multiple regressions showed that all the factors combined explained 61.8% of implementation of OSH programmes. Organization structure was found to have a moderating influence on the relationship between independent variables and dependent variable. The study concluded that improved management support, employee training, legal framework and employee participation resulted in better implementation of OSH programmes.