Factors Affecting Execution of Occupational Health and Safety Strategies at East African Portland Cement Company Limited

Abstract

Better health necessitates that change be made to the laborers environment, work organization and practices of work. Many hazardous conditions are on a basic level preventable and the essential hazardous approach is the most effective strategy financially for the control and elimination. The study was to decide the components influencing the implementation of Occupational Health and Safety Strategies at a company in Kenya known as the East African Portland Cement. It offers a contextual investigation of this company located in Athi River. The case study technique provided in-depth information on the elements influencing the execution of Occupational Health and Safety Strategy in the organization. The study gathered data from the management staff and Board of EAPCC. The study utilized the essential information whereby essential information was gathered through an interview guide. The study specifically targeted the directors and heads of departments. Data collected was analyzed through content analysis. Data analysis was done qualitatively and presented in prose. The study established that the success of the Occupational Health and Safety strategy in EAPCC was good. The company had successfully implemented an occupational health and safety strategy (OHSAS 18001:2007) and adhered to OSHA 2007. It was established that both the management and the general staff initially were reluctant to change but management had started to embrace it. Subsequently, Organization structure was also found to affect the execution of the strategy; alignment of occupational health and safety to the company’s structure exhibited a lacuna in the company. Additional factors such as lack of timely correction of causes of incidences; repeat observations for issues of safety risk importance; lack of effectiveness in monitoring the quality of strategy execution and lack of effective supervision were also found to affect the execution of the identified strategies. The researcher established that Portland cement has a well written formal statement of Health and Safety Policy and subsequent Programmmes to implement the conceptual frame work as structured by the management. There were accidents occurrences as collaborated by employees who were randomly asked a few interrogative questions on the same, by the researcher as the crisscrossed departments/section within the organization in the course of doing the research. The study encourages fostering responsibility which can be ensured through clear communication of the strategy and the management commitment and support. Last but not least, the company should consider a complete overhaul of the safety department to ensure proper and strict supervision and adherence to the set policies on health and safety. The management should embrace a leadership style that will be committed to ensuring successful execution of the identified strategies. The study therefore suggests that a future study should involve the general staff as the respondents to the study so as to get their opinion on the factors that would enhance successful execution.