Shifting of Occupational Safety and Health Training in Kenya

Introduction
The level of occupational safety and health (OSH) awareness among the general public in Kenya is low. The said awareness is not better among the self employed workers in the micro-enterprises industries. The concept of “risk” is foreign to many of them. For example, it is common to see many self employed workers doing their activities in awkward positions for many hours every day. If asked why, generally they respond that they have gotten used to work in that position. This example represents a mainstream attitude toward risk prevention by the general public and self employed. An appreciation for prevention is not embedded in their culture.

Methods
In order to highlight the demand and efficacy for OSH training in Kenya, a survey was administered among the self employed workers in “Juakali Sheds” in major towns in Kenya. It focused on whether the said self employed workers should learn basic principles of OSH while still in self employment, and the need for other courses related to OSH.

Results
Radom sampling survey was conducted in fifteen “Juakali Sheds” among thirty-three sheds found in Kenya. Respondents indicated that they would benefit directly if they had basic understandings of OSH in the course of their work. Further, they highlighted suffering of their friends; with resultant ill health.

Discussion
Need by the self employed workers in Kenya for OSH training exists. As these workers are direct employers of one or two in some cases. Most of them are primary and secondary school drop outs and might not have had knowledge on matters of OSH at all. This twines with growing recognition worldwide that training people about OSH has long-term benefits by contributing to the welfare and competitiveness of individuals, families, enterprises, and national economies.