Abstract
Warehousing is important in all industrial sectors as there is a need for several industries to store goods. However, despite the benefits of the use of warehouses, it has/there are many safety challenges, such as fire and accidents, which have been highlighted in literature. Thus this research study is aimed at evaluating the level of awareness and practice of safety measures by warehouse owners in Nigeria with a view to improving the safety measures of warehousing in Nigeria. The following research objectives were answered to achieve the aim of the study. The objectives answered were to investigate the challenges that hinder the implementation of safety management in warehouses in Nigeria; to identify the drivers of the implementation of safety management systems in warehouses in Nigeria; to identify the level of awareness of safety management by warehouse owners in Nigeria; to ascertain the safety management measures that should be adopted by warehouses in Nigeria; and to determine the strategies to improve safety management in Nigerian warehousing.
A quantitative methodology was adopted for this study and the research strategy employed was the survey method with the use of a questionnaire as the instrument of collection. The sampling method was the non-probability sampling method while convenience sampling was selected for the collection of data. The data was analysed using graphs, and descriptive and non-parametric analysis such as Kruskal-Wallis with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The data used in this study were collected through a review of literature and a structured questionnaire which was distributed to warehousing professionals in the south-west region of Nigeria. The findings revealed that males are more likely to work in warehouses because of the physical nature of the job; a high number of the respondents had bachelor’s degrees (29.6%) with 43.4% having between one and five years’ working experience. Furthermore, tight/confined? working spaces were deemed to be the primary challenge to the implementation of safety management, as well as a lack of workers’ involvement. Secondly, compliance with safety policies and employee motivation are the primary drivers for the implementation of safety measures. Thirdly, the training of personnel was considered the primary safety management measure to be adopted by warehouses in Nigeria, and lastly, the training of personnel was considered an appropriate strategy to improve safety management in Nigerian warehousing. The study concluded with conclusions and recommendations.