Safety and Health Risk Management in Selected Kenya Tea Development Agency Factories in Bomet County, Kenya

Factory workers are faced with myriad of occupational safety and health risks as they carry on their day to day duties in their workstations. These safety and health risks are as a result of exposure to occupational hazards such as noise, organic dust, non-safeguarded or poorly safeguarded machines, poor ergonomics, poor floor conditions and falls, hot surfaces, among others. The objective of this research was to establish the safety and health risk management in Kenya Tea Development Agency Factories in Bomet County. The study used cross sectional analytical research design that allowed data collection at one point in time and involved photography, interviews, observation and measurements (air quality and noise) for data collection. The independent variables were classified under individual and system characteristics. Individual characteristics were the demographic variables while system characteristics were the hardware that make up a tea factory. The intervening variables were the system that make up safety and health management system and administration in the factory. The study was undertaken in Bomet County which has eight KTDA tea processing factories. The target population was employees in Tea Factories managed by KTDA. The study population was 1019 workers in tea factories in Bomet County with a sample size of 317 employees. Simple random sampling gave every worker a chance to be included in the study. The Yamane (1968) sample size determination formula was used in the study since the target population was less than 10,000 people. Authorization was obtained from Kenyatta University Graduate School and ethical clearance sought from Kenyatta University Ethical Review Committee while the research license was obtained from NACOSTI. Access to the KTDA Factories was granted by management through the managing director at the head office. Informed consent was sought from workers before participating in the study. Focus Group Discussion guide, interviewer administered questionnaires, noise meter and particulate counter was used for data collection. Data was summarized using descriptive statistics such as mean, frequencies and percentages. The inferential statistics; chi square and binary logistic regression model was used to test association between variables. Qualitative data was grouped according to emerging themes. Data was presented using charts and tables. The prevalence of occupational hazards in tea factories was 41.3%. The study statistically established that machinery without safeguards was the most prevalent occupational hazard at 40.5%. In the sampled factories and specific sections, Kapkoros Tea Factory and Withering sections recorded higher mean equivalent noise levels (91.4 dBA and 97.3dBA) above exposure limits (90.0dBA) stipulated under The Factories and Other Places of Work (Noise Prevention and Control) Rules, 2005 while both PM2.5 and PM10 levels in sampled factories were below OEL and generally high at the sorting section (0.34mg/m3 and 1.035 mg/m3) but within the exposure limits specified under The Factories and Other Places of Work (Hazardous Substances) Rules, 2007. The study established that provision of PPEs, workplace occupational audits, risks assessments, occupational trainings and occupational examination of workers were the mitigation strategies employed by the factories in safety and health risks management. Level of education (p=0.0001) and work experience (p=0.0001) were statistically significant socio-demographic characteristics and predicted safety and health risks management. The study recommends the employer to institute tests on the efficiency and adequacy of all safety risk mitigation strategies. The study findings can be used for policy formulation and institutionalize changes when managing OSH risks in Kenyan tea industry.