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Author
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Mahumucha, Tatenda.
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Title
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Assessment of occupational health and safety hazards associated with construction of thermal power plants: case of Zimbabwe Power Company Hwange expansion project
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Abstract
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The study aimed to investigate the occupational health and safety hazards associated with the Hwange Expansion Project in Zimbabwe. The research employed a quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional design to collect data from 2021 to the present. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS and Excel packages. Thematic analysis and descriptive analysis were used to analyze qualitative and quantitative data to create charts and tables with percentages and ranges to make analysis easy. A sample of 88 workers, including engineers, technicians, and occupational health and safety officers, was surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire. The response rate for the questionnaire was 53 which is 60.22% which is more than the minimum threshold of 60% as suggested by Frinchman, (2010).
The findings revealed that the primary hazards identified were machinery-related accidents, falling from heights, exposure to chemicals/fumes, electrical hazards, and fire/explosions. Machinery-related accidents had the highest average impact rating, indicating a major concern for workers. A correlation analysis showed a significant positive relationship between employee awareness and the occurrence of electrical hazards, suggesting that increased awareness led to more reporting or recognition of these hazards.
The study also assessed employees' awareness of occupational health and safety (OHS) protocols and practices. The results showed that 79.2% of employees were aware of OHS, while 66% had received OHS training. A strong positive correlation was found between receiving OHS training and employee awareness, indicating that training plays a crucial role in enhancing safety knowledge among the workforce.
The study provides valuable insights into the occupational health and safety challenges faced by workers in the Hwange Expansion Project. The researcher went on to recommend that ZPC Hwange Expasion Project must Implement Comprehensive OHS Training Programs, Enhance Communication and Engagement, Improve Site Maintenance and Hazard Control, Develop Targeted Interventions and Safety Campaigns, Promote a Strong Safety Culture, Enhance Stakeholder Collaboration, Utilize Technology and Innovation and Regularly Review and Update Safety Policies
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Date
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June 2025
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Publisher
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BUSE
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Keywords
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Occupational health and safety hazards
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Occupational health and safety
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Supervisor
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Dr Mabhungu
Mahumucha - SHEM.pdf