Workplace hazards and occupational health services of brewery industries in Uganda: a study of female employees at Parambot Breweries Limited (PBL) in Kampala

Abstract

Workplace safety and health is directly linked to the wellbeing of employees including females working in brewery industries. This study explored workplace hazards and occupational health services in brewery industries with a focus of female employees at Parambot Breweries Limited, Kampala. The study was guided by three specific objectives including, identifying workplace hazards of female employees in brewery industries, to establish occupational health services of female employees in brewery industries and to explore the utilization of occupational health services by female employees in brewery industries. An exploratory cross-sectional case study design that utilized a qualitative approach was adopted. A total of eleven (11) in-depth interviews were conducted with female employees of PBL. I also conducted five (5) key informant interviews with occupational safety and health officers from MGLSD and management of PBL. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data where key concepts, ideas and themes were identified and coded, and patterns in the data categorized. The study findings revealed several workplace hazards such as ergonomic, psychological, social, and biological hazards, as well as occupational health services such as maternity health services, personal protective equipment, informal support services and First Aid for female employees in brewery industries. The findings pointed to factors such as management support and inclusive workplace policies to facilitate the utilization of occupational health services in brewery industries among female employees. Conversely, lack of occupational health services including personal protective equipment and first aid, limited investment in OSH, and enforcement related challenges were cited as barriers to the utilization of occupational health services. The study recommends the need to strengthen occupational health services in brewery industries through addressing gaps in provision of these services, the need to funding for OSH at MGLSD as well as social worker’s engagement in OSH, thus improving the wellbeing for all. Overall, workplace hazards affect the health and safety of female employees, undermining their health and wellbeing. Conclusively, addressing these workplace hazards through improved management, policy reforms, and investment in OSH is critical to enhancing the health and safety of female employees in the brewery industry.