Implementation of Zanzibar Occupational Safety and Health Policy in Manual Stone Crushing Sites at Micheweni District

Abstract

Background: stone crushing activities are among potentially risky human activities. Most of the causes of accidents at stone crushing activities are rock falls, the use of poorly maintained equipment, noncompliance on safety practices and lack of proper protective equipment. Failure to comply with health and safety measures exposes the stone crushers to accidents such as erosion, suffocation, poisoning, and explosion, to name but a few. Objective: This study is designed to evaluate the implementation of Zanzibar occupational safety and health policy on the informal sector, a case study of manual stone crushing at Micheweni district, Pemba., Tanzania. Methodology: The study used an exploratory cross-section design employing qualitative methods in data collection. Qualitative data was collected by using an in-depth interview guide. Data collection was done from 1st January 2021 to 15th January 2021. A purposive sampling method was used to select participants in this study. The sample size was based on the principle of the saturation level of the information collected. The thematic analysis approach was used to analyze qualitative data. Results; this study revealed that the Zanzibar occupational health and safety policy of 2017 is not implemented as expected. This is due to the fact that manual stone crushers, supervisors and site officials are not aware of it. Results also indicated that manual stone crushers rely on knowledge passed down through ‘oral tradition’ from ancestors, and use out-dated technology. The government and other stakeholders have not done enough to educate stone crushers on Occupational Health and Safety issues Conclusion: Lack of communication between policy makers and implementers has been identified as the reason why stakeholders are not aware of OHS policy. On the other hand, there are on-going activities trying to achieve the policy objective. Based on the findings, the study recommended that more effort be put into educating all stakeholders on Occupational health and safety Policy.