Abstract
Background: Occupational health-related risk combines the likelihood of a work-related hazardous event or exposure occurring with the severity of damage, injury, or illness that may result. These risks are categorised into physical, chemical, ergonomic, biological, psychosocial, and safety hazards. Occupational health and safety legislation in South Africa advocates for the protection of workers against work-related injuries caused by hazardous exposures in the workplace. However, this protection requires that workers are aware of these hazards and understand how to protect themselves from injury. In the food manufacturing industry, many young workers are employed due to minimal experience requirements for general work. Although young workers are particularly vulnerable to workplace injuries, there is often a gap in their awareness and understanding of occupational risks and the importance of protective behaviours. This lack of awareness contributes to the higher rates of workplace injuries observed among young workers compared to their older counterparts, highlighting the need for targeted education and training to improve young workers’ recognition of hazards and strategies to prevent injury.
Aim: The purpose of the study was to gain an insight into the awareness of risk for injury among young workers in a food manufacturing company in Gauteng.
Methods: A qualitative, exploratory, contextual design was be used in this study to understand the existing problem. The study population, which comprised young workers aged between 18 and 34 years from six departments within the company that had high rates of injuries on duty, was purposively sampled and individual face-to-face interviews were conducted in a private space at the company. Data saturated at the tenth participant and this became the sample size for the study. Data was analysed using Tesch’s thematic coding method. The Lincoln and Guba framework of quality criteria was utilised to ensure trustworthiness in the study. The criteria include credibility, transferability, dependability and conformability. Ethical considerations that were adhered to include the principles of informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, beneficence and non-maleficence (risk and benefits) as well as engagement of gatekeepers to access participants.
Findings: Three themes emerged from the central theme of awareness of workplace injury risk. The first theme, Awareness of workplace risk for injury, encompassed participants’ understanding of circumstances contributing to injury risk, including specific workplace practices and conditions, and the nature of possible injuries faced by young workers...