Pro Ligno (Jun 2016)
ASSESSMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS IN SMALL SCALE SAWMILLS IN THREE SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF BENUE STATE, NIGERIA
Abstract
This study examined occupational hazards in small-scale sawmills in three Local Government Areas (Makurdi, Gwer west and Gwer east) in Benue state, Nigeria. A total of ten sawmills were sampled and visited. Ten copies of well-structured questionnaire were distributed in each sawmills to elicit information on the hazards supported by workers due to sawmill activities. Results on hazards in sawmills revealed that Destiny, Ire Akari, and Segun sawmills had 100% accident victims, followed by Igbor (87.5%) Hafilla (83.3%) Adekola (77.8%) Apir and Mase (71.4%), and 60% in Ogo Oluwa and El-matandi respectively. High rate of accident was recorded in Gwer East (93.7%) followed by Gwer West (78.9%) and Makurdi (71.4%). The most injuries registered were Laceration, sprain and strain, 41.65% in Gwer East, 30.13% in Gwer West and 28.6% in Makurdi. Fracture was more frequent in Gwer East (22.9%) and Gwer West (9.53%). Bruises were common in Makurdi (42.9%), Gwer West (40.21%) and Gwer East (29.15%) respectively. Most of workers are male and they are performed a lot of manual activities without any protection means which led to injuries in different parts of the body. Generally back and hand pains dominated in all studied sawmills. It was therefore concluded that efforts should be made by owners of sawmills towards drastically practical measures (training, protective materials and specific devices), that had to reduce hazards among their employees to the minimum level
