A PROJECT REPORT

ON

Evaluation of Occupational Health and Safety Measures: A

Study of Selected Employees in Goldtree (SL) Limited
Company in Daru

Submitted by

MR. ABU SILVANUS MUSTAPHA

ID. NO: 28242

In Partial Fulfillment for the Award of the Degree of

Bachelor of Science with Honours in Environmental Chemistry,

Department of Chemistry, School of Environmental Sciences,

N`jala University, N`jala Campus

1
 CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACHGROUND OF STUDY:

Owing to rapid industrialization, industrial workers are exposed to numerous types of hazards
and accidents. Every year lots of workers are injured due to mechanical, electrical, chemical
and radiation hazards and it warrants partial or total disablement.

The importance of occupational health is often overlooked and people tend to equate
occupational illness with industrialization and huge factories in urban areas. This narrow
view hampered the development of occupational health in developing countries. While at
work, people face a variety of hazards almost as numerous as the different types of work,
including chemicals, biological agents and adverse ergonomic conditions etc. Globally, there
are 2.9 billion workers who are exposed to hazardous risks at their work places [Meswani,
2008]. Annually there are two million deaths that are attributable to occupational diseases and
injuries while 4% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is lost due to occupational diseases and
injuries. WHO‟s programme on workers health is concerned with the control of occupational
health risks, the protection and promotion of the working populations and the humanization
of work (Berenice and others, 1998). Also work has its positive effect as increased
productivity, higher quality work and increased workforce morale among others are indices
of workers well being and to some extend job satisfaction.

However the importance of occupational health is often overlooked. This is because, the level
of occupational safety and health in Africa is low compared with the rest of the worldIn Sub-
Saharan Africa public health problems of child mortality, malaria, water quality and
HIV/AIDS have overshadowed occupational health problems (Spee, 2006).In today`s world,
Man lives in a “chemical age” as there is hardly any industry/company that does not make
use of it and/or produce chemicals in the work process. Palm oil products are derived from
crude palm fresh fruits bunches (FFB) which occurs as a complex of chemicals, primarily
free fatty acids (FFA) which include crude palm oil (CPO), palm kernel oil (PKO) and by-
product, palm kernel cake (PKC). This undergoes unit operations to yield a variety of
products for various uses.

The efficiency of workers depends to a great extends on the environment in which they work.
Every work environment consists of all the factors, which act or react on the body and mind

2
of an employee. The primary aim is to create an environment, which guarantees the greatest
ease of work and removes all causes of worries.

Occupational health and safety is a discipline with a broad scope involving many specialized
fields. In this sense, it aims at:

 The promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social
wellbeing of workers in all occupations.
 The protection of workers in their employment from risks resulting from factors
detrimental to health.
 The prevention amongst workers of detrimental effects on health caused by their
working conditions.
 The placing and maintenance of workers in an occupational environment adapted to
physical and mental needs.
 The adaptation of work to humans.

Successful occupational health and safety practice requires the collaboration and participation
of both employers and workers in health and safety programme, and involves the
consideration of issues relating to occupational medicine, industrial hygiene, toxicology,
education, engineering safety, ergonomics and psychology, etc.

Occupational health issues are given less attention than occupational safety issues because the
former are generally more difficult to confront than the latter. However, should health is
addressed, so is safety, because a healthy workplace is by definition also a safe workplace.
The converse, though, may not be true-a so-called safe workplace is not necessarily also a
healthy workplace. The important point is that issues of both health and safety must be
addressed in every workplace.

Work plays a pivotal role in people`s lives, since most workers spend at least eight hours a
day in the workplace, whether it is on a plantation, in an office, factory, etc. Therefore, work
environment should be safe and healthy. Unfortunately some employers assume little
responsibility for the protection of workers` health and safety. In fact some employers do not
even know that they have the moral and often legal responsibility to protect employees.

The joint international labour organization committee on occupational health, 1950, defined
occupational health as “the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of
workers in all occupation.” A hazard is a source of danger that has the ability to cause injury

3
or harm (Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Centre, 2010). Occupational hazards are
dangers to human health and wellbeing which are associated with specific occupations. While
efforts are made to reduce hazards, these hazards remain present in the workplace by nature
of the profession (wiseGEEK, October, 2013). Occupational or workplace hazard is danger to
health, limb, or life that is inherent in, or is associated with, a particular occupation, industry,
or work environment. It includes risk of accident and of contracting occupational disease
(BusinessDictionary.com, October, 2013).

The dictionary definitions do not correspond entirely with what epidemiologists or

professionals in the field of Occupational and Environmental Health would understand these
terms to mean. Hazard is not deemed to be synonymous with risk although it can be an
important determinant of risk. Although risk may be related to a chance event and expressed
as a probability, there is much more to it than that. Probability is not an entirely haphazard
one of course but relates to a number of factors.

However in Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology, we prefer to define these two

words asfollows:

Hazard is the potential to cause harm; risk on the other hand is the likelihood of harm (in
defined circumstances, and usually qualified by some statement of the severity of the harm).

The relationship between hazard and risk must be treated very cautiously. If all other factors
are equal - especially the exposures and the people subject to them, then the risk is
proportional to the hazard.

Occupational hazards can be divided into two categories: Safety and Health Hazards. Safety
Hazards that cause accidents that physically injure workers, and Health Hazards which result
in the development of disease. It is important to note that a hazard only represents a potential
to cause harm. Whether it actually does cause harm will depend on circumstances, such as the
toxicity of the health hazard, exposure amount, and duration. Hazard can also be rated
according to the severity of the harm they cause – a significant hazard being one with the
potential to cause a critical injury or death (Ontario Ministry of Labour, October, 2013).
Occupational hazards may lead to illness, injury or death. They can include physical risk like
falls and exposures to heavy machinery, along with psychological ones such as stress.
Occupational hazards like exposure to chemical, biological and radiological agents are also
concern. In people who work in jobs with noticeable occupational safety hazards, special

4
training is often provided so that the people are made aware of the hazards (wiseGEEK,
October, 2013).

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM:

The human, social and economic costs of occupational accidents, injuries and diseases and
major industrial disasters have long been cause for concern at all levels from the individual
workplace to the national and international. Measures and strategies designed to prevent,
control, reduce or eliminate occupational hazards and risks have been developed and applied
continuously over the years to keep pace with technological and economic changes. Yet,
despite continuous if slow improvements, occupational accidents and diseases are still too
frequent and their cost in terms of human suffering and economic burden continues to be
significant. A recent ILO report estimated that 2 million men and women die as a result of
occupational accidents and work-related diseases across the world everyyear (ILO,2005). The
overall annual rate of occupational accidents, fatal and non-fatal, is estimated at 270 million
(Hämäläinen, Takala and Saarela, 2006). Some 160 million workers suffer from work-related
diseases and about two-thirds of those are away from work for four working days or longer as
a result of this. After work-related cancers, circulatory diseases and certain communicable
diseases, accidental occupational injuries are the fourth main cause of work- related fatalities.
Recent data from the ILO and from the World Health Organization (WHO, October, 2013)
indicate that overall occupational accident and disease rates are slowly declining in most
industrialized countries (ILO, 2003) but are level or increasing in developing and
industrializing countries (Alli, 2008).

Poor performance in occupational health and safety (OHS) can take a heavy financial toll on
any business, not to mention the human cost of work-related illness, injury, and fatality. This
is the primary aim of an effective Occupational Health Safety – Management System (OHS –
MS). The implementation of such a system can also help your business to deal with the legal
imperatives, ethical concerns, industrial relations considerations relating to workplace safety,
and to improve its financial performance.

1.3 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES:

1.3.1 Main objectives:

The main objective of the study is to ascertain the health and safety measures adopted in
Goldtree (SL) Limited Company.

1.3.2 Specific objectives:

5
The specific objectives include,
 To study the awareness of the workers about health safety in the workplace.
 To find the occurrence of accidents happened at workplace.
 To identify the role of health, safety and environmental (HSE) management at
Goldtree.
 Evaluate the Occupational Health Practice in the Goldtree (SL) Limited Company.
 Recommend control to prevent and mitigate the effects of the Health Hazards on the
health and well-being of the workers.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

This study will help to create awareness of the Occupational Health Hazards prevalent among
Goldtree (SL) Limited Company workers and improve the Occupational Health and Safety
Management System of the Company. Occupational safety and health are good for business
as well as being a legal and social obligation (OSH, October, 2013). Enterprises appreciate
that OSH prevents people from being harmed or made ill through work, but it is also an
essential part of a successful business. Occupational safety and health helps demonstrate that
a business is socially responsible, protects and enhances brand image and brand value, helps
maximize the productivity of workers, enhances employees‟ commitment to the business,
builds a more competent, healthier workforce, reduces business costs and disruption, enables
enterprises to meet customers‟ OSH expectations, and encourages the workforce to stay
longer in active life (EU-OSHA, 2013).

The worth of this study cannot be underestimated and over-emphasized owing to the fact that
it will propose a value-added Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHS-
MS) approach in the Goldtree (SL) Limited Company. The proposed approach wherein the
OHS-MS elements as shown below will be duly exploited;

 Leadership and Commitment

 Policy and Strategic Objectives
 Organization and Resources
 Evaluation and Risk ManagementPlanning
 Implementation and Monitoring
 Audit
 Management Review

1.5 SCOPE OF STUDY:

6
The Research Study identifies health hazards and portrays the awareness of Occupational
Health Hazards of the workers of Goldtree. In addition, it includes the health risks assessment
of the hazards to the workers, evaluation of the risk on the health of the workers and possible
control to prevent and mitigate the impact of the hazards on the health and wellbeing of the
workers.

1.6 LIMITATIONS:
Occupational Health Practices in Sierra Leone is not very popular which made the study very
challenging as some of the workers found it hard to respond for fear of losing their jobs.
Also, as structured Company, getting approval to carry out the study was a huge task
especially amidst the pandemic, COVID-19. Also, letting out some useful information to a
researcher like the Occupational Health and Safety Plan of the company was another
challenge. Occupational Health Practices need to be properly promoted and projected by the
necessary government and corporate bodies, who in turn should partner with Organizations in
the encouragement of such studies.

The high level of illiteracy of workers in the Goldtree (SL) Limited Company posed serious
challenges to this study. Some workers could not interpret the questionnaire, unless I had to
explain the questions and enter the responses as well into the questionnaires.

Lack of sophisticated equipment to do some chemical analyses of key pollutants like sound
(noise), carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, etc. and oil quality was also a problem. I had to
link the supposed effects of the pollutants on the workers to the concept of pollution
chemistry learned.

Also, the Public Health State of Emergency declared on the24th February by the president,
Dr. Julius Maada Bio, could not allow public discussion as public gathering was prohibited. I
had to administer questionnaires using one-on-one approach.

CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 OVERVIEW OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH:

7
Occupational health is a means of protecting and maintaining the physical, psychological and
social health of workers and their families. It can also be viewed as the study of factors or
conditions influencing the health and well being of workers not only in the place of work but
also at home with the aim of promoting health, safety and welfare of the workers and their
family.

The joint International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization
(WHO) constituted in 1950 and revised in 1995, defined Occupational Health as the
“promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being
of workers in all occupation”. ILO further summarized Occupational Health definition as the
“prevention of departure from health among workers caused by their working conditions; the
promotion of workers in their employment from risks resulting from factors adverse to health,
the placing and maintenance of the worker in occupational environment adapted to their
physical and psychological well-being; and the adaptation of work to man and man to his
work. However, much attention has not been accorded to this aspect of occupational health
and safety as long as long expressed by Dr. Lu Rushan, Assistant Director General of World
Health Organization (WHO) in 1983. (Momoh, 1995), observed a similar scenario in Sierra
Leone and pointed out that there was a relative lack of attention to Occupational Health and
Safety Hazards (OHSH) in industries like food manufacturing industries.

2.1.1 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS:

Workplace health hazards generally differ from those found in the general environment.
Furthermore, because workers are often exposed in confined spaces, exposure levels to
workplace hazards are often much higher than exposures to hazards in the general
environment. In developing countries, workers may be exposed simultaneously to workplace
hazards, to an unsafe housing environment, and a polluted general environment. The
following summary of major workplace hazards has been extracted from the (Global strategy
on occupational health for all, 1996).

Occupational Health Hazards are broadly divided into Physical, Chemical, Biological,
Behavioral,Psychosocial and Mechanical/Ergonomics.

Physical Hazards: Physical hazards are often said to be less important than chemical hazards
but this is not so. They can and do cause several health problems, injuries or even death. The
nature of physical agents is wide and should not be underestimated but the main ones capable
of causing occupational disorders and injuries are:

8
  Noise
 Illumination
 Vibration
 Radiation (ionizing and non-ionizing)
 Microclimatic conditions in the case of extreme heat and cold. (WHO, June 2013)

Mechanical and Ergonomics Hazards: unshielded machinery, unsafe structures in the

workplace and dangerous tools are some of the most prevalent workplace hazards in
developed and developing countries. In Europe, about 10 million occupational accidents
happen every year (some of them commuting accidents). Adoption of safer working
practices, improvement of safety systems and changes in behavioral and management
practices could reduce accident rates, even in high-risk industries, by 50% or more within a
relatively short time.

Approximately 30% of the workforce in developed countries and between 50% and 70% in
developing countries may be exposed to a heavy physical workload or ergonomically poor
working conditions, involving much lifting and moving of heavy items, or repetitive manual
tasks. Workers most heavily exposed to heavy physical workloads include miners, farmers,
lumberjacks, fishermen, construction workers, storage workers and healthcare personnel.
Repetitive tasks and static muscular load are also common among many industrial and
service occupations and can lead to injuries and musculoskeletal disorders. In many
developed countries such disorders are the main cause of both short-term and permanent
work disability and lead to economic losses amounting to as much as 5% of GNP. (WHO,
June 2013)

Biological Hazards: Exposure to some 200 biological agents, viruses, bacteria, parasites,
fungi and organic dusts occurs in selected occupational environments. The hepatitis B and
hepatitis C viruses, Ebola virus, coronavirus and tuberculosis infections (particularly among
healthcare workers), asthma (among persons exposed to organic dust) and chronic parasitic
diseases (particularly among agricultural and forestry workers) are the most common
occupational diseases resulting from such exposures. Blood-borne diseases such as
HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B are now major occupational hazards for healthcare workers. This
can be classified into:

 Human tissue and body fluids

 Microbial pathogens (in laboratory settings)

9
  Genetically modified organisms
 Animals and animal products
 Organic dusts and mists

Chemical Hazards: About 100 000 different chemical products are in use in modern work
environments and the number is growing. High exposures to chemical hazards are most
prevalent in industries that process chemicals and metals, in the manufacture of certain
consumer goods, in the production of textiles and artificial fibres, and in the construction
industry. Chemical hazards could be classified into:

i. Particles, fibers, fumes and mist: Carbon Black, Welding Fume, Oil Mist
ii. Metals and metalloids : Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury, Zinc
iii. Organic, solvents and compounds: Acetone, hydrocarbons, Benzene
iv. Inorganic gases: Carbon monoxide, Hydrogen sulphide, Sulphur dioxide

Chemicals are also increasingly used in virtually all types of work, including non-industrial
activities such as hospital and office work, cleaning, and provision of cosmetic and beauty
services. Exposure varies widely. Health effects include metal poisoning, damage to the
central nervous system and liver (caused by exposure to solvents), pesticide poisoning,
dermal and respiratory allergies, keratosis, cancers and reproductive disorders. In some
developing countries, more than half of the workers exposed to dust-containing silica in
certain high-risk industries (such as mining and metallurgy) are reported to show clinical
signs of silicosis or other types of pneumoconiosis.

About 300–350 substances have been identified as occupational carcinogens. They include
chemical substances such as benzene, chromium, nitrosamines and asbestos, physical hazards
such as ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and ionizing radiation, and biological hazards such as
viruses. In the European Union alone, approximately 16 million people are exposed to
carcinogenic agents at work. The most common cancers resulting from these exposures are
cancers of the lung, bladder, skin, mesothelium, liver, hematopoietic tissue, bone and soft
connective tissue. Among certain occupational groups, such as asbestos sprayers,
occupational cancer may be the leading factor in ill-health and mortality. Due to the random
character of effect, the only effective control strategy is primary prevention that eliminates
exposure completely, or that effectively isolates the worker from carcinogenic exposure
(WHO, June 2013).

10
Psychosocial Hazards: Psychosocial hazards comprises of the psychological and social
hazards. Psychological hazards are caused when time and a work pressure has become more
prevalent during the past decade. Monotonous work, work that requires constant
concentration, irregular working hours, shift-work, and work carried out at risk of violence
(for example, police or prison work), isolated work or excessive responsibility for human or
economic concerns, can also have adverse psychological effects. Psychological stress and
overload have been associated with sleep disturbances, burn-out syndromes and depression.
Epidemiological evidence exists of an elevated risk of cardiovascular disorders, particularly
coronary heart disease and hypertension in association with work stress. Severe psychological
conditions (psych traumas) have been observed among workers involved in serious
catastrophes or major accidents during which human lives have been threatened or lost.

Social conditions of work such as gender distribution and segregation of jobs and equality (or
lack of) in the workplace, and relationships between managers and employees, raise concerns
about stress in the workplace. Many service and public employees experience social pressure
from customers, clients or the public, which can increase the psychological workload.
Measures for improving the social aspects of work mainly involve promotion of open and
positive contacts in the workplace, support of the individual's role and identity at work, and
encouragement of teamwork.

Organizational Psychosocial factors include but not limited to the following:

 Violence and aggression

 Lone working
 Shift and night work
 Long working hours
 Time zone changes

Exposure to the estimated 3000 allergenic agents in the environment is mainly occupational.
In the work environment, such hazardous agents enter the body via the respiratory tract or the
skin. Allergic skin diseases are some of the most prevalent occupational diseases.
Occupational respiratory diseases should therefore be the focus of any occupational health
programme. Occupational asthma, for instance, is caused by exposure to various organic
dusts, microorganisms, bacteria, fungi and several chemicals. The increased number of
people who develop an allergic response, coupled with high numbers of occupational
allergenic exposures and improved diagnostic methods, have led to a steady growth in the

11
registered numbers of occupational asthma cases in several industrialized countries (WHO,
June 2013).

The great variety of occupational health hazards makes quantification of their associated
health risks and impacts at the global level very difficult. Some estimates have been based on
the occupational injuries and diseases reported in official statistics. But a large number of
injuries and diseases caused by workplace hazards are not reported. Adjustment is therefore
necessary. Making such adjustment, ILO and WHO estimate that there may be as many as
250 million occupational injuries each year, resulting in 330 000 fatalities.

Table 1 below shows the global trend of occupational accidents and fatal work-related
diseases from 1998 to 2015.

Table 1: Global Trend of Occupational Accidents and Fatal Work-Related Diseases

(1998-2015)

Year Fatal Occupational Accidents Non-fatal Accidents Fatal Work-

At least 4 days absence Related
Number Ratea Number Ratea Diseases
1998 345,436 16.4 263,621,966 12,534
2000 2,028,003
2001 351,203 15.2 268,023,272 12,218
2002 1,945,115
2003 357,948 13.8 336,532,471 12,966
2008 320,580 10.7 317,421,473 10,612 2,022,570
2010 352,769 11.0 313,206,348 9,786
2011 1,976,021
2014 380,500 11.3 373,986,418 11,096
2015 2,403,965
Source: ILO Global Estimates of Occupational Accidents and Work-Related Illnesses 2017
a
Number of Occupational accidents per 100,000 persons in the labour force

2.1.2 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DEVEOPMENY IN ANCIENT TIMES:

The historical development of Occupational Health dates back to the ancient days. During
that period, industrialization was in rudimentary form.

Subsistence farming was the main occupation for all nations. Slave labour was extensively
used to build many of the wonders of the ancient world in Britain, USA, Egypt, Rome and
numerous other countries. For example, in Britain, slaves were used to build underground and
surface rail lines, some architectural buildings and their designs among others. Apart from
slaves, prisoners of war were also used. They were subjected to harsh conditions in
underground mines and queries. They died in large numbers due to poor health and poor

12
working conditions. The inhuman treatment and poor health care continued till the 16th and
17th centuries when the early medical pioneers in the field of health and safety at work
emerged (Asogwa, 2000). Among them were Georgius Agricola and BernardinoRamazzine.

According to (Asogwa, 2007), Georgius Agricola (1494 - 1555) wrote an article titled - "De
Re Metallica”. It was published in 1556 after his death). This article focused on the working
conditions in mines and industries especially mining accidents and illnesses. He observed that
the major hazards in mining were radiation from radioactive rocks and silicosis.

Another medical personnel concerned with the health of workers was an Italian,
BernardinoRamazzine (1633 - 1714). His contributions in the field of workers' health earned
him the title, "Father of Occupational Medicine".

He stressed that the occupation of the patient must be sort in clinical clerkship in addition to
those direct questions about the persons occupation, advocated by the Greek, Hippocrates.
When he was 67 years old, he published his first great work "De MorbisArtificumDiatriba" -
the first systematic study of trade diseases. Ramazzine wrote as follows (Asogwa, 2000).
"There are many things a doctor, on his first visit to a patient ought to find out either from the
patient or from those present.

When a doctor visits a working class's home, he should be content to sit on a three legged
stool, if there isn't a guided chair, and he should take time for his examination, and to the
questions recommended by Hippocrates in his work, "Affections". I may venture to add one
more question: What occupation does he follow? ("quidaitemexerceat?).

In the main, it is only when dealing with the common people that the doctor must think of
dangerous trades. Hence, Ramazzines' motto - "Medcina Munus Plebios Curantis est
interrogate quas artes exercent" (translated roughly to mean that the doctor treating
commoners should enquire about their job). The actions of these pioneer doctors brought
some changes in the life of the employees.

2.1.3 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH IN SIERRA LEONE:

13
The Factories Act of 1974 which became effective on the 30 th May, 1974 basically deals with
health and safety measures as they are the factory worker. It protects the worker through
demands for all aspects of cleanliness, reports of all injuries, accidents, diseases and death.

Part V of this Act, deals with the aspect of health and stipulates that every factory (work
environment) shall be kept in a clean state and free from effluent arising from any drain,
sanitary convenience or nuisance. This part of the Act also states that for overall safety of all
employees, the factory must not be overcrowded, must be effectively ventilated, and provided
with suitable lighting systems. Every care must be taken by the factory holder, to secure the
health, safety and welfare of all employees.

As at 08/05/2020, Goldtree has medical insurance for two categories of employees namely,
permanent employee (211 workers) and contracted employee (713 workers). For permanent
employee, the medical insurance beneficiaries include the worker, wife/husband and three
kids under the age of 18 years while for the contracted staff it targets only the worker who
has a work-related injuries/diseases.

Work-related injuries/illnesses are injuries/illnesses incurred while on duty or on holiday

(HSE Manager, Goldtree, 2020).

2.1.4 INTERNATIONAL OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH:

As industrialization spread from one country to another, according to (Asogwa, 2007) so also
did the diseases and ailments associated with different trades. Gradually, occupational health
was being recognized as a distinct area of medicine deserving special attention in those
countries that were the pioneers of industrialization in Europe and America. Many different
approaches were followed in these countries but the final goal was essentially the same. The
main aim and goal were to safeguard lives and ensure that the wellbeing of working people
are protected maintained and promoted. The oldest international bodies in modern times
concerned with global health and safety of people at work are the International Labour
Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization.

2.1.5 THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION (ILO):

The International Labour Organization (ILO) was founded in 1919 in Geneva, Switzerland
under the League of Nations to promote International Labour standard and improvement of
working conditions. The ILO programme, as well as international labour Standards in the
form of conventions and recommendations, were approved and adopted by the annual
international Labour Conference held in Geneva. The Conference consists of two

14
governments, one employer and one worker representative from each member states (Reich
and Okubo, 1992). Hence ILO is said to be a trigonal body made up of representatives from
governments, employers and employees (Asogwa, 2007). The International labour Office
with regional offices in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and a number
of governing body execute the programme under supervision of the governing body, half of
whose members were elected from governments and a quarter from employer and worker
groups (Reich and Okubo, 1992). ILO's health work included safety and health of all types of
workers especially from chemical and other industrial risks, hygiene of seamen, social and
medical insurance systems and workmen's compensation. In compliance with
multidisciplinary approach, it collaborates with the World Health organization (WHO) in
holding a number of Joint Expert Committee meetings in the field of occupational health and
safety and publishes inter alia International Medicine guide for slips and ship sanitation.

The International Programme for the Improvement of Working Conditions and Environment
(known as PTA PIACT) activities, emphasize that the improvement of occupational safety
and health and working conditions should be considered as a complex problem in which
various factors are interrelated, such as protection against risks in the working environment,
adaptation of work processes to the physical and mental capabilities of workers, improvement
of work schedules and job content (ILO, 1984, Copper, 1990). A multidisciplinary approach
is stressed.

The ILO Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems (ILO-OSH
2001) provide a powerful tool for developing a sustainable safety and health culture at the
enterprise level and mechanisms for the continual improvement of the work environment.

2.1.6 THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO):

The World Health Organization (WHO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations
founded in 1948 with headquarters in Geneva Switzerland.

It has the responsibility for global health. Its major role in the field of occupational health
started with the report of the First Joint WHO/ILO Committee on occupational Health in
1950 which stated the purpose of occupational health as follows (Asogwa, 2007).

"Occupational health should aim at the promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of
physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations; the prevention among
workersof departures frown health caused by their working conditions the protection of the
workers in their employment from risks resulting from factors adverse to health, the placing

15
and maintenance of the workers in an occupational environment adapted to his physiological
and psychological equipment and to summaries; the adaptation of work to man and each man
to his job".

Occupational health, as in other areas of Public Health, lays emphasis on preventive

medicine. Occupational health practice is comprehensive. Some of the preventive measures
could only be achieved by safe working environment, other conditions that encourage and
promote healthful living; and ergonomics in machine design and operations (Reich and
Okubo, 1992).

2.1.7 FUTURE TRENDS:

The major goal for occupational health is to promote and maintain the highest level of
physical, mental, social and emotional health of all workers. In practice, this goal is only
beginning to be realized in selected work places. Nevertheless, it is a worthy investment and
an essential objective in the realization of a productive working community (Allender and
Spradley, 1992).

The rapid and fundamental changes in businesses in the 1990s have added three critical issues
that affect the occupational health practice. First, increasing worldwide competition requires
business to remain competitive by reducing and/or controlling operating costs at the lowest
level possible.

Secondly, there has been an increase in technological hazards that require sophisticated
approaches as well as knowledge of toxicology, epidemiology, ergonomics and public
healthprinciples. Third, health care costs continue to escalate at faster rates than most
company profits (Vail, 1997).

Until the late 1800s, agriculture was the main industry in both developed and developing
countries. Now, the trend, especially in United States and in Sierra Leone is towards the
service industries. This demands an increase in the number and proportion of service
workers.

The environment - both physical and social, is also changing. Today's worker is exposed to
various air and water pollutants over extended period of time; to food additives and
preservatives, to complex laundry and cleaning compounds and to many other hazards.
Industrial workers came into contact with many new substances utilized in processes. Many
workers come to work with all kinds of psychological and physiological tendencies to certain
kinds of health problems such as alcohol and drugs. Many workers are emotionally or
16
physiologically dependent on certain drugs and some may combine drugs with alcoholic
beverages thereby compounding the original problems. Many come to work with alcohol
already in their systems. They drink because of stress from inner conflicts or problems either
at home or in their work environment.

Current occupational health nurse and community health practitioners‟ practices will
continue to evolve to meet future needs. The focus will shift from one-on-one health services
to a new role involving broader business and research skills. Future role will involve:

i. Analysis of trends (health promotion, risk reduction and health expenditures).

ii. Developing programme suited to corporate needs.
iii. Recommending more efficient and most effective in-house health services.
iv. Determining cost-effective alternatives to health programmes.
v. Collaborating with others to identify problems and propose solutions.

2.3 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DISEASES:

Occupational health disease can be defined as a compensable disease contacted by the worker
due to exposure to hazards in the work places. (Adobe, 1996) defined it as any condition
arising from work place exposures which compromises worker's physical, mental and social
well-being. Asogwa (2007) defined it as diseases associated with particular processes or
agents which the worker is exposed to in the course of his work.

Osanyigbemi was quoted by (Achlu, 2000) defined occupational disease as those diseases
which occur with characteristic frequency and regularity in occupations where there are
specific hazards. It can also be explained as any chronic ailment that occurs as a result of
occupational activities. By the definitions, it means that there must be interaction of the
worker with the environment before the disease can occur.

2.3.1 CLASSIFICATIONS OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES

Occupational diseases can be classified in numerous forms. Classification put forward by

(Asogwa, 2007) and (Park, 2002) is according to the target organ systems of the body and
they include:

 Occupational diseases of the respiratory system.

 Occupational diseases of the liver.
 Occupational diseases of the cardiovascular system.
 Occupational diseases of the Gastro-intestinal system.

17
  Occupational diseases of the Genito-urinary system.
 Occupational diseases of the skin or dermatologic system.
 Occupational diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
 Occupational diseases of the haemopoetic system.
 Occupational diseases of the physical agent.

The occupation or the nature of work performed by a person exposes him or her to health
hazards associated with that occupation. Diverse occupations exist. They include traditional
manufacturing industries (automobile. automotive and appliances); service industries
(banking, health care, and restaurant); education, agriculture (like Goldtree under study),
construction, mining, and newly high technology firms like computer chips manufacturing
companies and many others.

2.4 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY – MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (OHS –

MS):
Occupational Health Hazards could impact on the health and wellbeing of the workforce if
not properly and adequately monitored and controlled by the management of an Industry or
Company. It is obvious that staff and management of industries shy away from identifying
the Health Hazards that are prevalent amongst them, for the workers, the fear of losing their
jobs and for management, to avoid National and International Occupational Safety and
Health Policies. But most of the Occupational diseases that result from exposure to hazards in
Sierra Leonean industries are largely due to ignorance. Hence, the general wellbeing of the
workforce is an overriding condition of all decisions made in the company`s management of
occupational health. As the workforce is the major asset of the Company, without which no
production can be made. Thus, apart from social, moral and legal obligations, it is vital to
maintain and keep the workforce fit and healthy. This involves promoting and protection of
the health of the workforce from all agents hazardous to health that may be inherent in all
activities in the work environment and sometimes outside the work environment (Factories
Act, 1974).

OHS – MS is the Management Protocol that should be followed in Occupational Health and
Safety in order to protect, promote and rehabilitate the health and wellbeing of workers in the
workplace.

A positive health and safety organizational culture is underpinned by strong leadership by

management together with the active involvement and participation of workers in which

18
everyone accepts their rights, roles and responsibilities in relation to health and safety, and
works collaboratively to prevent ill-health and injury, and to promote health and wellbeing.
Effective leadership is required to provide strategic direction for the management of safety
and health and to motivate staff to engage effectively in ensuring good safety and health
performance. The commitment to effective worker participation needs to be visible and
communicated to the entire workforce. An effective safety and health management system
should be based on risk assessment, with the objective of identifying key occupational
hazards and key at-risk groups and developing and implementing appropriate prevention
measures. Effective worker participation and employee involvement in risk assessment and
planning, and introducing measures is particularly important (Worker participation practices:
a review of EU-OSHA case studies).

Leaders play a key role in influencing the management of safety and health in a number of
different ways. These can include: establishing effective governance for OSH management;
setting out a strategy, policy and targets and monitoring progress; providing examples of
good practice through their own behaviour; establishing a positive safety and health culture
and the engagement of all staff in safety and health matters; ensuring that safety and health
remains a priority during the day-to-day operations; empowering individual employees to
take preventive actions, as well as behaving in a healthy and safe way; providing employees
with the necessary safety training, tools and equipment; and involving employees in safety
and health decisions (Ernst & Young, 2001). Occupational safety and health leadership is
about securing the health, safety and welfare of workers by reducing risks, and protecting
them and others from harm or illness arising out of work activities (Mullen & Kelloway,
2011). Leadership has been argued to be one of the key determinantsof employee`s wellbeing
(Kelloway & Day, 2011), and is fundamental to promoting and sustaining a safe and healthy
workplace.

CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY

19
3.0 INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents the various methodologies that will be employ in the study. It
comprises the research design, description of the study area, population and sample, sampling
frame and size with their procedures, research instruments, source of data, procedures of data
collections and their ethics involved, and methods of data analyses.

3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN

The research design for study is a case study research design which evaluates the
occupational health and safety measures of workers of the Gold tree company at Daru. Both
qualitative and quantitative research strategies will be used. Data will be collected mainly
from primary data source through a face-to-face interview with workers using of a semi-
structured questionnaire. The data will be analyzed using the Statistical package for social
scientist (S.P.S.S) and presented in graphs and tables.

3.2 DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH AREA:

Goldtree (SL) Limited Company is a Sierra Leone registered international palm oil producing
and marketing company located near Daru in Kailahun District, eastern Sierra Leone. The oil
mill site is located about 370 km from Freetown and about 60 km northeast of Kenema
(Figure 1). The company has its plantations located in the following five (5) key locations
within Jawei and Malema chiefdoms of Kailahun district; Daru, Tovaima, Lower Jawei,
Dambala and Kpangiema.

Goldtree has established a palm oil production business near Daru, Jawei Chiefdom in
theKailahun district, eastern Sierra Leone. The company’s original infrastructure principally
consists of a 900 hectares’ oil palm plantation and a 20 tones per hour POM with a palm
kernel crushing plant. The production is based mainly on smallholder (independent
Outgrowers) oil palm plantations developed in the late 1960s. It is estimated that there are
about 30,000 hectares of existing mature plantings within a 40 km radius of the mill.
Goldtree’s plan also includes the development of a nucleus plantation of an area of 5,500
hectares on land acquired by Goldtree through a formal lease agreement, with possibilities for
expansion into other planting areas.

Furthermore, in 2016 and 2017, Goldtree acquired additional land from the people of Lower
Jawei and Malema Chiefdoms for expansion of its oil palm plantation, all relevant studies
including; the ESIA, public disclosure and consultations plus other relevant arrangements
were completed, and the EPA-SL issued the EIA permit. Additionally, in line with the RSPO
20
P&C (Principle 7- Responsible development of new plantings), Goldtree hired Proforest
Ghana (Proforest is an independent company working with natural resource management and
specializing in practical approaches to sustainability) to conduct a detailed high conservation
value (HCV) assessment, carbon stock assessment (CSA), greenhouse gas (GHG)
assessment, free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) meetings etc.

Figure 1: Map of Goldtree Limited Company, Sierra Leone concession areas.(Source: HSE Manager,
May 7, 2020)

Figure 2: Goldtree oil palm plantations. (Source: www.goldtree.sl.com, May 24, 2020)

Incorporated in 2007, the Goldtree founding partners (Andrew Beveridge and the Marriot
family), the Finnish Fund for Industrial Cooperation (Finnfund) and the African Agriculture
Fund (AAF)- a private equity fund managed by Phatisa- succeeded in rehabilitating the

21
abandoned palm oil mill and plantation, making it the first commercial palm oil production
facility to operate since the civil war.

The fully integrated mill, completed and commissioned in 2013, operates as an automated
palm oil producer with minimal human handling, replacing the traditional, environmentally
destructive and low-yielding method of extraction. This result in high-quality, ready-to-use
product for the market.

Completing Goldtree`s own plantation output, a supply of raw materials is purchased from
outgrower farmers withina 40-kilometre radius of the mill, offering competitive prices for
fresh fruit bunches (FFB).

Photograph 3.1:Fresh fruit bunches (FFB) (Source: Author`s survey data, May 7, 2020)

The modern processing mill has the capacity to process 20 tonnes per hour of fresh fruit
bunches, with a potential for 30 tonnes per hour, and is equipped with a furnace and turbine,
which allows waste fibre from processed fruit bunches to be burnt as fuel to generate power.
This recycling of waste products enables the mill to operate without the use of generators and
avoids drawing power from an underdeveloped national energy grid.

The main product from the milling operation is crude palm oil (CPO). The mill is equipped
with a palm kernel crushing plant to produce palm kernel oil (PKO). There are also on-site
storage facilities to store the finished products. A by-product of extracting the palm kernel
oil, palm kernel cake (PKC), are used in the animal feed and bio-fuel industries.

CPO and PKO are packaged on-site into 20-metric-tonne flexi tanks, 200-litre drums.

22
Large-scale plants (Goldtree oil mill), featuring all stages required to produce palm oil to
international standards, aregenerally handling from 3 to 60 tonnes of FFB/hr. The large
installations have mechanicalhandling systems (bucket and screw conveyers, pumps and
pipelines) and operate continuously,depending on the availability of FFB. Boilers, fuelled by
fibre and shell, produce superheatedsteam, used to generate electricity through turbine
generators. The lower pressure steam from theturbine is used for heating purposes throughout
the factory. Most processing operations areautomatically controlled and routine sampling and
analysis by process control laboratoriesensure smooth, efficient operation. Although such
large installations are capital intensive,extraction rates of 23 - 24 percent palm oil per bunch
can be achieved from good quality Tenera (palm fruit with large flesh and small seed).

Photograph 3.2: Turbine (Source: Author`s survey data, May 7, 2020)

Conversion of crude palm oil to refined oil involves removal of the products of hydrolysis
and oxidation, colour and flavour. After refining, the oil may be separated (fractionated) into
liquidand solid phases by thermo-mechanical means (controlled cooling, crystallization,
andfiltering), and the liquid fraction (olein) is used extensively as a liquid cooking oil in
tropicalclimates, competing successfully with the more expensive groundnut, corn, and
sunflower oils.

3.3 POPULATION AND SAMPLE:

Goldtree (SL) Limited Company has a total population of 924 staff as at 7th May, 2020. This
population consisted of 713 contracted workers and 211 permanent staff. From the
population, a sample was drawn from all sections.

23
3.4 SAMPLE FRAME AND SIZE:

The company`s register was used as a sample frame which helped provide the population
size. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Some of the workers (both permanent and
contracted) within the seven (6) sections constituted the study population. Each Section
constitutes units from which the respondents were randomly selected.

3.5 SAMPLE SIZE

The sample size of this study consists a total of 100 respondents drawn from the sample
frame of the study. It is approximately 20% of total population in the sample frame.

3.6 SAMPLE TECHNIQUES

To get the sample size of respondents for the study, the researcher will employ a
judgmental/purposive sampling method. This will enable the researcher to get respondents
that will provide reliable and quality responses based on their characteristics or positions they
hold in the company. Respondents will be chosen across all sectors of the company for better
representation and generalization of findings.

3.7 RESEARCH INSTRUMENT:

A semi-structured questionnaire will be the primary research instrument in collecting data for
the study. The design of the questionnaire is in two (2) sections. Section A gives bio data of
the respondent. Section B is further divided into six (6) subsections where multiple choice
questions are set to identify the different categories of Health Hazards, determine the
awareness of the workers on the Health Hazards. Evaluate the Occupational Health Practice
in the Factory (mill and plantation) and precautionary measures used to prevent and mitigate
the effect of the risk of the Health Hazards on the health and well-being of the workers. It
will entail both closed and open-ended questions. A sample of this questionnaire is presented
in the Appendix section of the report.

Other relevant instrument that will be used include mobile phone, recorder, field notebook,
pen and pencils, and the company’s register.

3.8 SOURCES OF DATA:

The data collected were primary and secondary. The primary data sources consisted of
personal interviews and field explorations in addition to observation and the administration of
individual questionnaires.

The secondary data were collected from the Article titled “Agro-industrial accidents linked to
the length of service, operation site and confidence in employer adherence to safety rules”
24
(Emmanuel Koroma & Angella Magdalene George, Njala University and John Lawson
McBrayer, University of Massachusetts Amherst University Health Services, 2019)

3.9 DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURES

Data for this study will be collected directly from the field through face-to-face interview
method using a semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 100 respondents will be interview
for the study between 16th – 24th May 2020. Interviewed will be done by visiting the
premise of the company and interfacing with workers. The languages of interview Will be
Mende, Krio and English.

Ten (10) of the initial questionnaires will be pre-tested in Njala community before going to
the field, where key corrections will be made on some questions in order to improve the real
administration process. Consent to undertake the study was obtained through a letter to the
management and informed consent of the study participants who were assured of the
confidentiality of information collected.

One hundred (100) questionnaires were sent out to individual; 86 were returned representing
a response rate of 86%. 85 questionnaires out of the 86 were found suitable for the analysis
representing 97.7%. This is considered very sufficient for the study based on the assertion of
(Moser & Kalton, 1971) that the result of a survey could be considered as biased and of little
significant if the return rate was lower than 30-40%.

Environmental Monitoring/Surveillance was also done to identify the different Health

Hazards and assess the risk associated with them. Furthermore, a Health Hazard Risk
Assessment Matrix is used to also identify and assess the risk associated with the different
Health Hazards.

3.10 DATA ANALYSIS:

3.10.1 CODING OF DATA:

Some answers given by respondents will be coded using whole numbers. These numbers
occurred in serially, starting from one (1) then extending to the highest number.

For instance, the availability of protective helmets will be ranked four (4).

25
3.10.2 SUMMARY OF DATA:

Data collected were synopsized in univariate and multivariate frequency tables.

3.10.3 STATISTICS:

Several statistics were used including frequencies, percentages, means, and deviation

X
1. Percentage(%) = ∗100.
N

Where:

X= item under consideration

N=total frequency

Ʃfx
2. Mean (Ⴟ) =
Ʃf

26