Occupational Hazards and Utilization of Personal Protective Devices Among Motorcycle Riders in Rivers West Senatorial District, Rivers State, Nigeria
Dick, Star N PhD, Prof Azuonwu Good luck
Abstract
Motorcycle riders face numerous occupational risks as a result of their exposure to road traffic accidents, environmental conditions, and ergonomic difficulties. This study looked at the use of personal protective equipment and occupational hazards by motorcycle riders in Rivers West Senatorial District, Rivers State. Five objectives, five research questions, and two hypotheses were developed and tested to a significance level of 0.05. With a population of 8,595 motorcyclists in Rivers West Senatorial District, Rivers State, and a sample size of 756 motorcyclists from Rivers West's various local governments, the study employed a descriptive cross-sectional survey design. The reliability coefficient of the self-structured questionnaire that was used for data collection was 0.91, and it was validated by three professors in the department of Human Kinetics, Health, and Safety Education. According to the study's findings, the result demonstrated that motorcyclists were particularly susceptible to physical danger (3.06 0.48). The findings of this study are to be expected because riders are exposed to numerous physically hazardous factors while riding. There was a negative correlation because when riders use personal protective devices like nose masks, eye goggles, and protective clothing, they are less likely to be exposed to physical hazards. When riders use PPD, they are more likely to be exposed to more hazards. It was recommended among others that management of road transport workers should put necessary laws to enforce the utilization of personal protective devices like eye goggle, nose masks, reflective and helmet by drivers or riders to reduce exposure to physical hazards and accidents among motorcyclists, the national union of road transport workers NURTW through their various bodies in rural and urban areas should establish regulatory personnelβs to ensure that there is strict compliance to safety by putting on the
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