International Journal of Healthcare Sciences ISSN 2348-5728 (Online) Vol. 10, Issue 1, pp: (116-126), Month: April 2022 - September 2022, Available at: www.researchpublish.com
PREVALENCE OF CHEMICAL AND ERGONOMIC OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS ON TRUCK DRIVERS IN RIVERS STATE 1
Ogbuehi Desmond, 2Dike Blessed Onyemaechi Prince
1
Department of Human Kinetics, Health and Safety Studies, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
2
Department of Human Kinetics, Health and Safety Studies, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6786746
Published Date: 01-July-2022
Abstract: This study investigated the prevalence of chemical and ergonomic occupational hazards on truck drivers in Rivers State. The cross-sectional descriptive survey research design and the is Rivers State. The population for this study comprised of all 3000 registered industrial truck drivers in Rivers State. The sample of this study was 500 truck drivers. The study adopted simple random sampling technique. Data collection for the study was collected through the use of structured questionnaires. The questionnaire was titled: ‘Prevalence of Chemical and Ergonomic Occupational Hazards among Truck Drivers Questionnaire (PCEOHTDQ). A structured questionnaire was used for data collection and analysis was done using descriptive statistics such as percentage, mean and t-test. The finding of the study showed that there is no significant difference between the mean responses of drivers and the prevalence of chemical hazards among truck drivers in Rivers State [tcal (1.21); t-crit (1.96); p>0.05]; there is no significant difference between the mean responses of drivers and the prevalence of ergonomic hazards among truck drivers in Rivers State [tcal (1.46); t-crit (1.96); p>0.05]; amongst others. The study concluded that amongst the prevalence of occupational hazards includes: chemical hazards and ergonomic hazards, among truck drivers in Rivers. It was recommended that, industries and Managers should improve work policies and procedures, and provide personal protective equipment for truck drivers. Often the best solution involves a combination of approaches. Keywords: Prevalence, occupational hazards, chemical hazards, truck drivers, ergonomic hazards.
1. INTRODUCTION Background to the Study A good transport system is essential to support economic growth and development. Bad roads, inadequate fleets of vehicles, inadequate trains, overcrowded airplanes and congested ports are common features of developing world. Physical problems such as untrained transport managers and planners, capital restructuring and bureaucracies, ineffective traffic regulations exist. Generally, transportation is the actual physical movement of people and goods from one place to another (Mohamed & Lotfi, 2016). Several means of transportation exist for both man and goods. These means have evolved through the length of time of man’s existence on the planet. Air transportation is a relatively more recent means of transportation with the invention of air travel in the last century. Prior to this time, man had transported himself and goods on land with the aid of animals, on wheels (aided by animals) and most recently automobile and trains. Water travel is as old as civilization with the invention of the ships to sail at the time of the earliest cities in hundreds of centuries BC. Trade and exchange were greatly facilitated between regions across the globe through water transportation. This did not go without its own evils such as slave trade and the problem of sea pirates. Air travel has not only aided movement of
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