An Assessment of the Availability and Effectiveness of Safe Systems of Work (Ssow) In Minimising Occupational Accidents in Manufacturing Companies in Zimbabwe. A Case Study of Kango Pvt Ltd.

Abstract

Despite the rigorous review of laws in Zimbabwe and practices in individual companies, accidents are still high. The researcher, therefore, sought to assess the availability and effectiveness of Safe Systems of Work in minimizing occupational accidents. In this study the researcher’s main objective was to assess the availability of SSoW and to find out how effective were the available SSoW. The effectiveness of SSoW was dependent on the blending of SSoW with job descriptions and their regular review. Companies claim to be aware of the practices that cause accidents and those hat mitigate them, but accidents are still rife. Therefore, the researcher felt that there is a link between the availability and effective use of SSoW with accident occurrence. This study adopted a mixed research approach that focused on both qualitative and quantitative data analysis. On quantitative approach hypothesis testing was conducted through chi-square test to produce generalizable conclusions. Questionnaires, interviews with managerial employees and observation of achieved SSoW and job descriptions were used to collect data. Data was then presented in the form of graphs, pie charts and tables. From the data gathered it was found that companies lack holistic and integral approach systems in their efforts to minimize work related accidents. Despite the fact that SSoW were provided, these lacked adequate monitoring and review and employee involvement in their development and reactive review. Jobs which are administrative in nature also seem to be given less attention when it comes to accident issues, the reason being the wrong perception that they are safe. The hypothesis test revealed that the blending of SSoW with job descriptions coupled with their review has an effect on accident minimization as the computed p-value was found to be lower than the significance level alpha = 0.05, at 0.006. The research therefore concluded that there is lack of an integral approach to accident minimisation in manufacturing companies. From the research findings the researcher recommended that manufacturing companies should adopt a more systematic approach in their provision and use of SSoW if the SSoW is to be effective. It is only through the proper development, provision, use, monitoring and review of SSoW that accidents can be minimised.