ABSTRACT

This Comparative research was carried out to determine the impact of work related hazards on the health and productivity of workers in selected industries in Umuahia, Abia State. Specific study objectives were to (i) Identify sources of occupational hazards.(ii) determine the effect of occupational  hazards on workers .(iii) ascertain measures to control or mitigate the hazards. Based on the study objectives three (3) null hypothesis were formulated thus: (i) There is no significant association between the occurrence of industrial hazards and point sources on the industry. (ii) There is no significant relationship between workers’ health status and hazardous exposure in employment. (iii) There is no significant association between hazard mitigation and reduction of occupational injuries/diseases. Accordingly related literature were reviewed to guide the study. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select the study same of 165 respondents from a universe of all employees of the selected industries — (i) Nwachukwu Fish Farm Olokoro, (ii) Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia and Salcux Paint Amuzukwu. The questionnaire was the main instrument for data collection analysed using chi-square statistical tool a 0.05 level of significance. Finding related thus: for hypothesis one the computed chi-square value of 39.34 > table value of 5.99 hence null hypothesis was rejected and HA accepted that is a relationship between the occurrence of indutr1a1 hazard and point sources in the industry. For hypothesis II calculated value of 60.42 > 5.99 being table value hence there is a significant relation between worker health status and hazardous exposure in employment for hypothesis III computed chi-square value of 33.71 is greater than the table value of 5.99 hence the null hypothesis is rejected and HA is accepted that there is a significant relationship between hazard mitigation measures and reduction of occupational injuries/disease Based on the finding it was recommended among others that there should be regular monitoring arid evaluation of actual and potential source of hazard and provision of personal protective gadgets for use by workers in industrial establishments.