Influence of Implementation of Occupational Safety Programs on Employee Performance in the Telecommunications Industry: a Case of Kenya Data Networks (Kdn), Nairobi County

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of occupational safety programs on employee performance in the telecommunications industry, Nairobi County, Kenya. According to International Labor Organization (ILO), every year more than 2 million people die from occupational accidents or work-related diseases and rate of injuries and ill-health is much higher than this figure. Studies indicate that the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) based management systems not only reduce accidents and injury rates but also improves the business and productivity of an organization. The study was guided by the following objectives, safety training programs, modern technology, safety clothing and OHS accident related costs and delimited to Kenya Data Networks Limited (KDN) in Nairobi County, Kenya. This research project’s empirical literature was strengthened by two theories; the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Social Exchange Theory. The study employed descriptive research design that targeted an overall unit of analysis of 430 from which a sample size of 44 was extrapolated. The research instruments included questionnaires and interview guides which were first validated and their reliability tested through the test re-test piloting method.