Analysis of workplace health and safety practices in the paint manufacturing industry: a case of regal paints Uganda Ltd.

Abstract

It is an obligation for all organizations to provide a safe workplace for their employees, which calls for workplace health and safety practices. This study analyzes workplace health and safety practices in the paint manufacturing industry, using Regal Paints Uganda Ltd. as a case study. The objectives of the study were: to analyze existing workplace health and safety practices at Regal Paints Uganda Ltd.; to identify challenges faced in implementing health and safety practices at Regal Paints Uganda Ltd.; to establish strategies to improve health and safety practices at Regal Paints Uganda Ltd. This study adopted the descriptive research design, and the quantitative research approach. The study population consisted of 105 employees of Regal Paints Uganda Ltd. from which a sample of 86 was selected using simple random sampling method. Primary data was collected using structured closed ended questionnaires, 63 of which were collected back giving a response rate of 73.2%. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS software for descriptive statistics. The findings of the study revealed that the existing workplace health and safety practices at Regal Paints Uganda Ltd. include workplace health and safety policies; safety risk assessment & management; workplace health and safety committees; health and safety training; compliance to health and safety measures; and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). However, challenges in implementing health and safety practices exist such as lack of clear operational procedures for handling health and safety issues, failing to clearly define all probable health and safety risks for staff, and lack of ready access to post-exposure medicines for all staff. The study recommended that Regal Paints Uganda Ltd. adopts strategies such as putting in place clear operational procedures for handling health and safety issues, clearly defining all probable health and safety risks for staff, and providing ready access to post-exposure medicines for all staff.