Abstract
The informal sector in Tanzania, driven by urbanization and limited formal employment, has grown significantly, with workers often facing inadequate social protection and occupational health and safety (OHS) standards. Informal welders, particularly in Kinondoni, are exposed to hazards such as toxic fumes, electrical burns, noise, ultraviolet radiation, and poor ergonomics, resulting in respiratory, auditory, and musculoskeletal issues. Despite these risks, OHS policies are rarely enforced in the informal sector, leaving workers vulnerable. Awareness of OHS guidelines among informal welders remains low due to limited educational opportunities, insufficient training, and inadequate dissemination of safety information. While some efforts by the government to promote safety have been implemented, they have largely focused on formal industries. Compliance with OHS practices in the informal sector is hindered by factors like financial constraints, limited access to protective equipment, poor supervision, and cultural attitudes that normalize workplace risks. Informal welders often prioritize income generation over safety, leading to preventable accidents and chronic health issues. Poorly ventilated workplaces, insufficient training, and lack of regulatory oversight enforcing safety standards exacerbate these risks. Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to enhance awareness, improve access to affordable protective equipment, and enforce safety standards. These interventions could reduce workplace injuries, improve health outcomes, and boost productivity in the informal welding industry. Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional study design was utilized to assess the level of awareness and adherence of informal welders to OHS guidelines in Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam. Sample size was calculated using Leslie Kish’s formula to ensure adequate statistical power for detecting significant relationships, assuming a 95% confidence level and 5% margin of error. A total of 180 informal welder participants were selected through systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire consisting of multiple-choice and closed-ended questions to measure awareness, adherence, and factors associated with OHS hazards. The researcher, alongside trained research assistants, collected the data while ensuring participants’ confidentiality and minimizing response bias. Reliability was ensured through standardized administration procedures, and validity was enhanced through pilot testing of the questionnaire prior to the main study. Reliability was further confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (α = 0.82), indicating high internal consistency. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 30, with descriptive statistics (frequencies, means, standard deviations, medians, and ranges) and inferential statistics including Chi-square tests, Spearman correlation, and binary logistic
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regression to identify key relationships between awareness, adherence, and occupational hazard factors. Results: The study involved 180 informal welders in Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam. The majority (85%) were male, while 15% were female. Of all participants, 81.7% were aged 18–35 years, with a median age of 27 years. Most participants (84.4%) lacked formal welding certification, and 70% had five or fewer years of work experience. Regarding awareness of OHS guidelines, 93.9% of participants reported general awareness, primarily sourced from peer discussions (95.3%). However, only 5.3% demonstrated comprehensive awareness of key OHS components. Chi-square tests showed a significant association between awareness and formal training (p < 0.001). For adherence to OHS guidelines, only 13% of welders demonstrated strong adherence, while 43% were non-adherent, and 44% were partially adherent. Peer reviews were the most utilized strategy to promote adherence (57.4%), while lack of adequate training (77.2%) and workplace pressure to meet deadlines (70.6%) were major causes of non-adherence. No statistically significant associations were found between adherence and demographic factors (p > 0.05). Factors contributing to OHS hazards included societal factors (78.9%), such as economic constraints and lack of government regulation, followed by physical environment issues (76.7%), including poor ventilation and lighting. Equipment-related factors (68.3%), such as outdated tools, and human factors (54.4%), like negligence and fatigue, were also significant contributors. Chi-square analysis revealed a borderline significant association between hazard occurrence and human factors (p = 0.05). The findings highlight low comprehensive awareness and adherence to OHS guidelines, limited evolution of safety practices, and persistent reliance on informal sources for OHS knowledge. Barriers like economic constraints, limited access to training, and outdated equipment underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve awareness, adherence, and workplace safety in the informal welding sector. Conclusion: The study revealed that informal welders in Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam, had high general awareness but limited comprehensive understanding and low adherence to OHS guidelines. Key barriers included insufficient training, economic constraints, and reliance on informal knowledge sources. Critical statistical tests identified significant gaps in both awareness and adherence practices, indicating the need for structured policy and intervention frameworks. Targeted interventions such as formal training, improved communication of safety protocols, and
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access to affordable safety equipment were identified as critical to enhancing awareness, adherence, and overall safety in the informal welding sector. Addressing these gaps will have far-reaching public health benefits and contribute to the reduction of preventable occupational injuries.