Occupational safety training and practices in selected vocational training institutions and workplaces in Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

There have been several cases of industrial accidents in Uganda, some of them fatal. It is possible that there could be a training gap in both vocational training institutions and workplaces. This study set out to investigate how occupational safety training 111 vocational training institutions and workplaces is implemented to promote safety at work. The objectives of the study were to: examine how occupational safety training is carried out in vocational training institutions; establish how occupational safety training is carried out and practiced in workplaces; and to identify constraints to occupational safety training in both vocational training institutions and workplaces. A descriptive study design was used. Five vocational training institutions and workplaces were randomly selected for the study which involved instructors, workshop technicians, students, workshop managers, production supervisors, machine operators, and newly recruited technicians. In total 35 respondents. Data was collected using interviews, observations and documentary analysis methods. The instruments were pre-tested and the necessary adjustments made to improve the validity and reliability. The researcher established that in vocational training institutions, all courses have a component of safety in the curriculum but not much is practiced in the institution workshops. Also the vocational training institutions have inadequate industrial attachment programmes for both staff and students. In the workplaces no specific training content was being used and majority of the respondents felt that they are not regularly consulted by the vocational institutions on safety skills requirements in industry, which results into a miss-match in safety skills training. The major constraints to safety training include: inadequate funds to purchase safety equipment; and insufficient literature on safety. It was recommended that government should implement occupational health and safety at all levels of training, hence leading to an inbuilt safety culture in future workers; increase funding for vocational training institutions to enable them acquire safety training equipment; vocational training institutions should vigorously promote industrial attachment programmes for both staff and students; and the workplaces should increase occupational safety awareness programmes through sustainable training and information activities for all the workers.