ASSESSMENT OF ATTITUDE OF SAFETY MEASURES AMONG WASTE COLLECTORS IN KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA

This study titled Attitude of Safety Measures among Waste Collectors in Katsina State, Nigeria employed ex–post facto research design to assess the attitude of safety measures among waste collectors in Katsina State, Nigeria. The availability and appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by waste collectors go a long way in ensuring safety while at work. Several pieces of evidences have shown how waste collectors are at a greater risk of contracting diseases and sustaining injuries. About 85% of waste collectors in developing countries including Nigeria do not have occupational health, safety and welfare which are aimed at protecting the collectors. A Multi-stage Sampling Technique that involves Stratified Sampling, Simple Random Sampling, Proportionate Sampling and Systemic Sampling Technique was used for this study. The instrument for data collection was a close-ended structured questionnaire containing sections A, B, C and D with a modified four-point Likert scale. The sample size for the study was 400 out of which 390 copies were valid and used for the analyses. Data collected was analyzed by Mean and Standard Deviations (SD) to answer the stated research questions. One sample t-test was used to test the hypothesis at a 0.05 alpha level of significance. Hence, the mean score of any response was considered positive, if it is 2.5 and above and the mean score of any response less than 2.5 is regarded as a negative score. The result obtained revealed that waste collectors in Katsina State have a positive attitude toward safety measures. Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that waste collectors have a good attitude toward safety measures in Katsina State. It was recommended that Waste Collectors in Katsina State should be encouraged by government and health agencies on how to maintain a positive attitude towards the practice of safety measures of waste collection through training, seminars and workshops.