Effects of Occupation Health and Safety Practices on the Performance of Public Organizations: Case Study of Egerton University, Njoro

Abstract

The focus of this research was to study the effects of occupational health and safety (OHS) practices on the performance of public organisations, with a special reference to Egerton university (EU). The objectives of the study was to find out if EU employees are aware of OHS laws, extent to which OHS practices are adhered to and the effect of OHS practices on the financial costs of running the university. The scope of the study was limited to employees and facilities of EU, Njoro, covering the period between 2000 and 2002. Available literature revealed that OHS is a key determinant of human resource (HR) commitment, hence its performance. Literature reviewed confirmed that no study had been done on this area, more so for EU. The research methodology involved administration of two kinds of questionnaires to employees and management staff, with a sample of 66. Stratified proportional sampling was adopted to collect primary and secondary data. Descriptive statistics for data presentation and analysis was used. The study concluded, that majority of EU employees are not aware of OHS laws, there is minimal adherence of OHS practices resulting to increasing financial costs of running the university. Also. the university had no formal policy and established committee on OHS in place. This study recommends the university to urgently formulate and implement an independent policy on OHS, to regularly train employees about OHS practices especially on fire and fire-fighting skills, set aside some budgetary allocation on OHS and a department created to coordinate and keep all relevant records on OHS within the university. All relevant labour laws as pertaining OHS should be fully enforced to the letter, while all the working environments must be made health and safe for all stakeholders. University staff transport to/from work should be reintroduced to minimise the number of employees dying through road accidents, and appropriately insure all university properties and equipment and make OHS subject more participatory among stakeholders. Specific categories of employees may be considered to see how they are affected by OHS practices and their subsequent impact on the university. A policy on HIV/Aids should be introduced and employees enlightened more about it. Aids should be treated as an occupational hazard. Frequent analysis and review of OHS progress and approaches should be done as a pre-requisite to its sustainability. Further research is recommended in this area especially in other organisations to find out the OHS impact on them, and confirm whether there are similarities or deviations from the conclusions made by this study, hence supplement or complement these findings.