factors affecting implementation of health and safety practices in work place

179 Pages·2017·1.74 MB·English

FACTORS AFFECTING IMPLEMENTATION OF HEALTH AND
SAFETY PRACTICES IN WORK PLACE: A CASE STUDY OF TEMEKE
MUNICIPALITY

PETRO SENSO

A DESSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTERS IN HUMAN
RESOURCES MANAGEMENT OF THE OPEN UNIVERSITY OF
TANZANIA
2017
i

CERTIFICATION
I the undersigned, certify that I have read and hereby recommend for the acceptance by
the Open University of Tanzania a dissertation titled “Factors Affecting Implementation
of Health and Safety Practices in Workplace: A Case Study of Temeke Municipality”
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Masters Degree In Human
Resources Management (MHRM) of the Open University Of Tanzania.

………………………………………………………….
DR. RAPHAEL GWAHULA
(Supervisor)

……………………………………………..
DATE
ii

COPYRIGHT
No part of this dissertation may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise without prior written permission of the author or the Open University of
Tanzania in that behalf.
iii

DECLARATION
I, Petro Senso certify that this dissertation is my own original work, and that it has not
been submitted for a similar degree in any other University.

…………………………………….
Signature

……………………………………
Date
iv

DEDICATION
This Dissertation is especially dedicated to my father Mr. Samson Birore, my mother
Theresia (Matinde), my brothers, Marwa, Chacha, Danny and Sam; and my sisters Eliza,
Salo and Esther for their hearty encouragement. You are all the hidden treasures!!!
v

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I thank the almighty God, the Creator of heavens and earth. Frankly speaking, He is the
one who has been with me from the very beginning of this work, enlivening me and
carrying me through all challenges and obstacles. Indeed, He is worthy of all praise and
glory!!
My sincere thanks and undying gratitude are all extended to my supervisor Dr. Raphael
Gwahula and Mr. James Kalanje the coordinator, who tirelessly have been there for me,
supporting me through and through to ensure the survival of my academic dream. Your
thoughtfulness and professionalism in revising this work are all hailed as useful tips for
making this dissertation a success. In you I have found a true academic guidance and
mentorship, an incomparable benevolence to be treasured incessantly.
My indebtedness also goes to my family, relatives and comrades who determinedly boosted
up my academic aspiration. I hope that your benevolent support and silent prayers be awarded
abundantly. I am grateful for the assistance and support of Dr. Charles M. S. Birore from
Norfolk State University and for constructive ideas from Samuel S. Birore, Nyaisawa C.
Birore, and Daniel S. Birore. Your ideas and support have made this report possible as it
stands today. I truly thank all of you.
I thank all staff members at Temeke municipality for their cooperation; Mr. Laurence
Makoa, the HR officer, thank you for your guidance and support through different
departments to collect data. Your persistent endeavor benefited me tremendously. To all
my lecturers, I thank you for your hearty guidance. To me you are cherished heroes
without whom this work would be impossible. To all those who have joined their hands in
pushing forward this work, I absolutely thank you very much indeed.
vi

ABSTRACT
Sadly, unsafe workplace still remains a potential threat to the health of workers. Work–
induced accidents, hazards and illnesses may result in workers’ incapacities or even
deaths. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors affecting the health and safety
practices (HSPs) in workplace at Temeke Municipality, Tanzania. A case study approach
to inquiry using cross-sectional survey was used to collect data. The purposive sample of
168 potential participants was selected from a population of 312 employees. The data
were collected by using a self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire. Data
processing included data cleaning and ascertaining assumptions of selected statistical
tests. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, bivariate correlation and regression,
ANOVA and multiple regression. The Pearson correlation revealed strong positive
relationships between HSPs and all three predictor variables; leadership, employee
involvement and employee training. The regression model indicated that 58.3% of the
variance in HSPs was explained by leadership, 52.2% by employee involvement and
71.1% by employee training. The overall multiple regression combining all three predictor
variables revealed that 76.4% of the variance in HSPs was explained by such variables.
From the findings, it was concluded that improved organizational leadership, increased
employee involvement in the HSPs and enhanced employee training on HS precautions at
workplace, all have potential for improved employees’ health and safety and
organizational productivity and efficiency. The study’s findings have three implications.
This study will be of usefulness especially to HR managers of the municipal councils, to
both experienced and inexperienced researchers, government and academic institutions for
further evaluation and improvement of HSPs at workplace.
Keywords: Implementation, HSPs, leadership, employee involvement, employee training
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CERTIFICATION..............................................................................................................i
COPYRIGHT......................................................................................................................ii
DECLARATION...............................................................................................................iii
DEDICATION....................................................................................................................iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...............................................................................................v
ABSTRACT........................................................................................................................vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS.................................................................................................vii
LIST OF TABLES...........................................................................................................xiv
LIST OF FIGURES.........................................................................................................xvi
LIST OF APPENDICES................................................................................................xvii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.......................................................................................xviii
CHAPTER ONE.................................................................................................................1
1.0 INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................1
1.1 Background to the Study..............................................................................1
1.2 Occupational Health and Safety Practices in Tanzania......................................4
1.3 Statement of The Research Problem..............................................................5
1.4 Research Objectives....................................................................................7
1.4.1 General Research Objective..........................................................................7
1.4.2 Specific Research Objectives........................................................................7
1.5 Research Questions.....................................................................................8
1.5 General Research Question..........................................................................8
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1.5.2 Specific Research Questions.........................................................................8
1.6 Relevance of The Study...............................................................................8
1.7 Scope of The Study.....................................................................................9
1.8 Limitations and Delimitations of The Study....................................................9
CHAPTER TWO..............................................................................................................11
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW...........................................................................................11
2.1 Overview.................................................................................................11
2.2 Conceptual Definitions..............................................................................11
2.2.1 Implementation.........................................................................................11
2.2.2 Health Practice.........................................................................................11
2.2.3 Safe Work Practices.......... .......................................................................11
2.2.4 Occupational Illness..................................................................................12
2.2.5 Hazard....................................................................................................12
2.2.6 Risk........................................................................................................12
2.2.7 Workplace...............................................................................................12
2.2.8 Leadership...............................................................................................12
2.2.9 Employee Involvement..............................................................................12
2.2.10 EmployeeTraining.....................................................................................13
2.3 Theoretical Literature Analysis and Review..................................................13
2.3.1 Health and Safety Practices........................................................................13
2.3.2 The Usefulness of a Sustained Healthy and Safe Workplace............................14
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2.3.3 Contributions to Accident Prevention...........................................................15
2.3.3.1 Heinrich’s Safety Theory (Heinrich’s ‘Domino Theory’)................................15
2.3.3.2 Multiple causation theory..........................................................................17
2.3.4 Hazard and Risk Identification and Assessment.............................................18
2.3.4.1 Eliminating and Controlling Hazards...........................................................19
2.3.4.2 Approaches to Health and Safety Promotion in Organizations.........................21
2.4 Empirical Analysis of Relevant Studies........................................................22
2.4.1 General Empirical Studies..........................................................................22
2.4.2 Studies in African Countries.......................................................................26
2.4.3 Empirical Studies in Tanzania.....................................................................28
2.5 Research Gap Identified.............................................................................28
2.6 Conceptual and Theoretical Frameowork......................................................33
2.6.1 Conceptual Framework..............................................................................36
2.6.2 Theoretical Framework..............................................................................37
2.6.2.1 Leadership..............................................................................................37
2.6.2.2 Employee Involvement..............................................................................39
2.6.2.3 Employee Training....................................................................................41
2.7 Summary Of Findings................................................................................44
CHAPTER THREE:.........................................................................................................45
3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY..............................................................................45
3.1 Overview................................................................................................45