Occupational Health and Safety Practices among Small-Scale Mining Workers in Ghana

Sabastian Samuel Kwesi; Emmanuel Dartey; Richard Amankwah Kuffour; Denis Yar Dekugmen; Rama Osei-Bonsu; Derrick Kwabena Mintah; Beatrice Akoto Serwaa; Afia Agyeman Beniako

Sabastian Samuel Kwesi
Emmanuel Dartey
Richard Amankwah Kuffour
Denis Yar Dekugmen
Rama Osei-Bonsu
Derrick Kwabena Mintah
Beatrice Akoto Serwaa
Afia Agyeman Beniako

Keywords: Health, Safety, Practices, Small-Scale, Mining

Abstract

Small-scale mining is a benchmark for poverty reduction in developing countries. It contributes immensely to national income for countries with mineral reserves and mining activities. Despite the contribution of small-scale mining to Ghana, the industry pays little attention to health and safety practices among miners. This study investigated occupational health and safety practices among small-scale miners using a descriptive survey design. A total of 295 participants were selected from small-scale mining firms in the Wassa Amenfi (West, East, and Central) District. Data were gathered from the study participants using a structured questionnaire. Results of the study revealed that 78.98% (233) of the respondents were aware of available regulations regarding workers’ safety. Safety measures adopted by the various mining companies were; safety training (35.00%), the use of PPE (33.00%), regular monitoring (28.00%) and prompt reporting of incidents (4.00%). Miners were exposed to various types of hazards and injuries sustained among miners included cuts, fractures, sprains, broken arms, and entrapment. The commonly used PPE were safety boots (37.00%) whilst the overall coat was the least (8.00%) used among miners. Regardless of improvement in occupational health and safety practices in recent times, occupational health and safety should be given the needed social, legal, and moral attention in the mining industry by the government and other stakeholders. Further research should be conducted in the area of vulnerability of women in the mining sector.

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