Assessment of occupational safety and health hazards among borehole drilling employees in Harare district, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The paper titled “Assessment of Occupational Safety and Health Hazards among Borehole Drilling Employees in Harare District, Zimbabwe” aims to investigate and evaluate the occupational safety and health hazards faced by employees involved in borehole drilling activities in the Harare District of Zimbabwe. The study focuses on identifying the potential risks and hazards associated with this occupation, as well as assessing the existing safety measures and practices implemented by employers. The research methodology employed for this study includes a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches. The findings revealed that borehole drilling employees in Harare District are exposed to various occupational hazards, including physical hazards, chemical hazards, psychosocial hazards, as well as ergonomic hazards. Furthermore, the study identified several risk factors contributing to these hazards, such as operating poorly serviced machines, risk taking behaviour under pressure, lifting heavy equipment and inadequate and improper wearing of PPE/C. Measures used to manage hazards include training on standard work procedures, use of PPE/C, safety inspection, risk assessment, toolbox talks and accident reporting. However, the research highlighted the need for improved safety measures, training programs, and regulatory enforcement to mitigate hazards and ensure the well-being of borehole drilling employees in Harare district.