Insights of expertise of occupational health hazards and safety practices among Gas station attendants in Owerri Municipal Imo metropolis, Imo State Nigeria
- Prof. Innime Righteous, Onisokonikumen Victory Onwunaru
- Chancellor: Poise University, Rwanda.
Gas stations (GS) are facilities where lots of motor vehicles and other automobiles, corporate bodies and individuals who use petroleum products like Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), diesel and other liquid fuels purchase the product. They store and dispense large quantity of other hazardous substances or chemicals especially flammable substances such as diesel, kerosene, lubrication oil and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). The aim of this study is to investigate the Insights of expertise of occupational health hazards and safety practices among Gas station attendants in Owerri Municipal Imo metropolis, Imo State. Owerri is the capital of Imo State in Nigeria, set in the heart of Igboland. It is also the state’s largest city, followed by Orlu, Okigwe and Ohaji/Egbema. Owerri consists of three Local Government Areas including Owerri Municipal, Owerri North and Owerri West, it has an estimated population of about 1,401,873 as of 2016 and is approximately 100 square kilometres (40 sq mi) in area. the mean and standard deviation on the relationship between age and safety practices among Gas station attendants in Imo State were2.87 SD=0.79, 2.76 SD=0.73 and 2.67 SD=0.79 for age bracket 19 – 29 years, 30 – 39 years and 40 years and above respectively. The most adhered safety practices by Gas station attendants for age bracket 19 – 29 years was the availability of fire extinguishing equipment at the station which is maintained and serviceable regularly (Mean=3.86, SD=0.43). The most adhered safety practices by Gas station attendants for age bracket 30 – 39 years was the availability of a suitable First Aid box in the Gas station (Mean=3.95, SD=0.26). The most adhered safety practices by Gas station attendants for age bracket 40 years and above was the availability of a suitable First Aid box in the Gas station (Mean=3.92, SD=0.28). Based on the findings of this study; it was concluded that the expertise of occupational health hazards was good and the safety practices among the Gas station attendants was also good but the attendants did not fully comply with all the safety rules especially on the use of PPE’s while at work. The Gas Station Owners/Supervisors/Government should not relent in their effort to teach or enlighten their workers and public on the occupational health hazards in Gas Stations.
