Abstract
Background: Occupational health and safety programs are designed and implemented to mitigate occupational injuries and diseases. Employers are required to create and maintain a workplace that is safe and free from risks to employees’ health, hence the development and implementation of such programs is vital. The study was aimed at evaluating occupational health and safety programs with a focus on two food warehousing industries in Gauteng Province, South Africa.
Method: The study design employed in this research was cross-sectional descriptive. The study was conducted in two warehousing industries located in the region of Gauteng Province, Boksburg and Benoni town. Simple random selection method was used to select participants. Sample size of 278 was determined by epi info. However, only 75% response rate was obtained. All collected data was inserted in an Excel spreadsheet and analyzed through SPSS software version 28. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate frequencies and percentages of common occupational injuries. Thereafter, a chi-squared test was employed to determine the occupational injuries and diseases. Mean difference between perception, knowledge and awareness towards occupational health and safety programs was examined using T-test.
Conclusion:
According to the findings obtained, there are available occupational health and safety programs implemented in the study sites, however, there is no correlation between knowledge and attitudes and awareness.
The findings will facilitate further research and recommendations on improving health and safety in the workplace, guidance on safe work processes as well as awareness. The best available evidence on the effects of occupational health and safety programs on employee health and safety was acquired through this research.