Occupational Safety and Health Management in the Production of Electricity Transformers at Zesa Enterprises, Harare

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of occupational safety and health management systems in accident prevention at ZESA enterprises in Zimbabwe. Questionnaires, interviews, observations and document review were used as data collection tools. The most common hazards identified at ZESA included improper work organization, poor hygiene, ergonomic hazards, fire, and electric hazards. Since the introduction of the occupational safety and health management system in 2009, the work environment became safer and there was a decline in the number of accidents recorded each year thereafter. The existing occupational health and safety management system at ZESA enterprises met the majority of the requirements outlined in the OHSAS 18001 specification. It was concluded that implementation of the occupational safety and health management system whether or not following international standards always yielded positive results in improving occupational safety and health performance.