ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SAFETY TRAINING FOR WORKERS IN SELECTED HEALTHCARE FACILITIES IN RIVERS STATE

C. P. EJIKEME-ILOFULUNWA; J. N. UGBEGBOR; E. UGWOHA

doi:10.5281/zenodo.20917465

C. P. EJIKEME-ILOFULUNWA Centre for Occupational Health, Safety and Environment, Institute of Petroleum Studies, Faculty of Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
J. N. UGBEGBOR Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
E. UGWOHA Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20917465

Keywords: Safety Training Healthcare Facilities, Rivers State

Abstract

This paper examined the effectiveness of safety training programs among healthcare workers in Rivers State, with a particular focus on training delivery methods, organizational support, knowledge retention, compliance with safety protocols, and implementation barriers. Using a cross-sectional survey design, a sample of 185 data were collected from healthcare employees across multiple facilities through structured questionnaires. Analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics (Weighted Mean (WM)), ANOVA, and regression analysis to examine the relationships between training methods, organizational support, time, and workers’ safety knowledge and behaviour. The results of the descriptive statistics revealed that; safety training delivery methods in the healthcare centres are effective in equipping healthcare workers with practical safety knowledge and skills (WM = 3.38 >3.00), there is high level of retention of safety knowledge, compliance and practice over time in the healthcare centres (WM=3.43>3.00) and organizational policies and support systems plays crucial role in enhancing the outcomes of safety training programs (WM=3.43>3.00). The ANOVA results revealed that using different safety training method will not significantly improve workers’ safety knowledge or behaviour (F=0.654, p=0.391>0.05) and knowledge retention and compliance declined significantly over time (F = 19.772, p = 0.000) while regression analysis showed that organizational support has a statistically significant influence on the success of safety training programs (B=0.388, P<0.0001). In conclusion, achieving long-term improvements in healthcare safety requires a holistic approach that integrates strong leadership, inclusive policies, systematic training, regular refreshers, and a supportive organizational culture.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Ahmed, S., Li, Y., & Rahman, M. (2023). Demographic trends and workforce renewal in Southeast Asian healthcare industries. Journal of Healthcare Management, 51(2), 135–150.

Ajmal, M., Isha, A. S. N., & Nordin, S. M. (2021). Capturing the Impact of Organizational Safety Management on Safety Outcome with a Mediating Role of Safety Commitment: A Conceptual Model. Safety Journal, 45(3), 210–225.

Ajmal, M., Isha, A. S. N., Nordin, S. M., & Al-Mekhlafi, A.-B. A. (2022). Safety-Management Practices and the Occurrence of Occupational Accidents: Assessing the Mediating Role of Safety Compliance. In Sustainability (Vol. 14, Issue 8). https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084569.

Bavafa, A., Mahdiyar, A., & Marsono, A. K. (2011). Identifying and Assessing The Critical Factors For Effective Implementation of Safety Programs in Healthcare workers. Safety Science, 106, 47–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.

Chan, A. P. C., Yang, Y., & Darko, A. (2018). Healthcare accidents in a large-scale public infrastructure project: Severity and prevention. Journal of Healthcare Engineering and Management, 144(10), 05018010.

Haslinda, A., Saharudin, S., Hidayah, N., & Mohamed, R. (2016). Safety Training, Company Policy and Communication for Effective Accident Management. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 2222–6990. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v6-i9/2302

International Labor Congress (ILO) (2019). Global occupational accidents and work-related diseases. www.ILO (2019).org

International Labor Congress (ILO) (2021). Global occupational accidents and work-related death. www.ILO (2021).org

Kasimu, & Usman, M. (2023). Delay in Nigerian healthcare industry. J. Environ. Sci. Resour. Manag, 5(2), 120-129.

Lizák, L., & Etemova, E. (2023). Workplace Safety and Health Improvements through a Labor/Management Training and Collaboration. New Solut. J. Environ. Occup. Health Policy, 23, 561–576.

Oluwatumininu, A., A., C., & Thwala, W. (2021). An effective strategy for safety management and enhanced productivity in healthcare industry. In J. I. Kantola (Ed.), AHFE 2021, LNNS 267 (pp. 86–91). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80876-1_13.

Oni, O., Olanrewaju, A., & Cheen, K. S. (2022). Accidents at Hospitals and Near-Misses: A Constant Problem. Proceedings of International Structural Engineering and Healthcare, 9, 2.

Reed, P., Marin, L. S., & Zreiqat, M. (2023). Impact of Toolbox Training on Risk Perceptions in Hazardous Chemical Settings: A Case Study from a Bleach Processing Plant. ACS Chemical Health & Safety, 30(3), 129-138. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chas.3c00041.

Rey-Becerra, E., Barrero, L. H., Ellegast, R., & Kluge, A. (2021). The Effectiveness of Virtual Safety Training in Work At Heights. A Literature Review. Applied Ergonomics, 94, 103419.