Evaluation of Occupational Health and Safety Implementation Protocols of the Mining and Petroleum Industries in Ghana

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is still a priority in extractive industries, as hazardous conditions are a threat both to workers' well-being and productivity. The research took into account the implementation of OHS procedures in the petroleum and mining sectors in Ghana, with specific reference to awareness, infrastructure in place, level of application, and limitation. The study was a cross-sectional study in a sample size of 286 respondents, comprising 143 petroleum workers and 143 mining workers. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were employed in data analysis on OHS awareness, training, and application infrastructure relationships.
Results indicated satisfactory awareness levels in both industries, with 88.1% in mining and 79.7% in petroleum acknowledging knowledge of policies of that sort. However, fewer among the respondents verified availability in written form (57.3% in mining; 53.1% in petroleum). Frequency in receiving training was strongly associated with levels of awareness (χ² = 18.439, p < 0.001), with a frequency once a year being most dominant in both industries. The frequency in having OHS committees was also significantly different across industries (χ² = 12.725, p = 0.002), with mining reporting a higher presence. Despite that, communication gaps, policy adequacy, and support by the management still existed, limiting effective implementation.
The study finds that OHS knowledge is widespread, yet systemic weaknesses in the form of poor training, weak managerial commitment, and poor resourcing forestall effective implementation. Enhancing the frequency of training, communication of policy, managerial accountability, and regulatory enforcement are crucial in promoting workplace safety. This study makes a contribution by presenting empirical evidence on OHS implementation in the extractive sectors in Ghana and points out industry-wide reforms as essential.

Occupational Health and Safety, mining, petroleum

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