Effectiveness of Occupational Health and Safety Programmes in Cmc Motors Group of Companies

Abstract

The objectives of the study was to establish the occupational health and safety programs in CMC Motors group of companies and also to determine the effectiveness of these occupational health and safety programmes in the umbrella company. The need for this study was motivated by the fact that there are cases of accidents, injuries and health problems experienced and reported by various companies that create the CMC motors group. The various subsidiaries of the group also have many of its operations highly automated with its workshops having the latest or modem machines, tools and equipments. Thus with the instances of accidents and health problems in the workplace, the questions arose as to whether the group of companies actually embrace the use of occupational health and safety programmes and if they do, are these programmes effective enough to an extent that they can reduce some of these hazards. The findings of the study revealed that indeed the occupational health and safety programmes are in use in CMC motors group of companies and they nearly address each and every need of the employees towards protecting themselves from eminent accidents and ill health. Various hazards were also identified in the workplace and there was found to be programmes in place to address them. However, despite the fact that there are occupational health and safety programmes in CMC motors, the safety officers are faced with a problem of implementation as there are constraints such as the finances, time allocated on the implementation process, the balancing of the legal standards with the company’s standards, the perception of the employees towards these programmes and lack of commitment by the employees. The researcher recommended that adequate funds should be allocated towards implementation, adequate time should be set aside and constant persuasion should be done to employees so that they can view the programmes as largely beneficial to themselves and not the company.