Abstract

This research examined the occupational safety and health hazards associated with rehabilitating sewer reticulation plants at Drawcard Construction Company sites in Redcliff, Zimbabwe. The study used a descriptive research design which triangulated both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Questionnaires, interviews and field observations were used to gather primary data on occupational safety and health hazards associated with rehabilitating sewer reticulation plants. Secondary data was obtained through company’s site Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) documents, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) journals, newspaper articles, and past research papers. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0 (SPSS). The major findings from this research showed that failure to identify hazards; inadequate training; inadequate PPE and shortage of portable running water were the main causes of high prevalence of biological, physical, ergonomic, chemical and psychosocial hazards amongst workers in the study area. The research revealed that OSH accidents have negative effects to employees, their families and the organization. Measures that have been put in place to reduce the impacts of the hazards include job rotations, safety and awareness training, safe working procedures, PPE, work and equipment inspection. However, these have not been effective in managing hazards as accidents are still prevalent amongst workers. The research recommends that medical surveillance should be done to ensure fitness of workers at the sewer plants.

Key Words: Accident, Occupational safety and health, Sewage reticulation, Rehabilitation