Safety and health monitoring tools; a technique to ensure self compliance to Occupational Safety and Health National Guidelines within the health sector in Uganda

Introduction  The face of safety and health has always presented itself in a manner that keeps experts on their toes and minds wondering how to improve it given immerse challenges and emerging events it presents. In Uganda, the Department of Occupational Safety and Health in the Ministry of Gender, labour and Social Development struggles to achieve its mandate of monitoring and evaluating compliance to set National and International guidelines and procedures.   The Department in collaboration with the Ministry of Health supported by USAID initiated a safety and health capacity building programme during which tools were developed to assist in monitoring safety and health compliance within the health centers. These tools were piloted in 8 districts out of 88 districts.        

Methods  A cross sectional study was conducted by the department of Occupational safety and health focusing on process of development of these monitoring tools to piloting stage with in health centers in selected 8 districts aimed at assessing applicability of the tools.    

Results  Development involved 20 experts who diligently concentrated on developing user friendly tools. Pretesting involved training of 210 health workers (from health center III & IV) and 120 district leader. From this, 70 OSH committees were formed. Results on applicability of hazard identification and monitoring tool demonstrated in practical inspection of health center in each district revealed that 65% of participants found these tools user friendly.    

Discussion   It’s evident that if these tools are rounded out in the entire health sector and among other workplaces coupled with intensify training and sensitization perhaps then workers, employers and general public will appreciate the significance of ensuring the highest degree of safety and health to their lives and economic development. This will go a long way in counteracting the challenges associated with poor enforcement by the department.