Status of occupational health and safety in the informal sectors in Tanzania: the case of stone quarrying and soil brickmaking

Abstract

Objectives. The informal economy in Tanzania, as in many other developing countries, presents numerous workplace safety issues. This study was conducted in stone quarrying (SQ) and soil brickmaking (SBM) sites to assess workers’ awareness and perceptions of safety practices, identify common workplace risks and hazards, and evaluate challenges hindering the implementation of workplace safety culture. Methods. A total of 173 workers responded to a semi-structured questionnaire and 15 workers were interviewed. Data were summarized using Stata (version 15). Results. More than 95% of the SQ and SBM workers were exposed to ergonomic hazards and related health risks, due to low awareness (90%) and unavailable leadership structures (>96%) for enforcing and overseeing the implementation of workplace occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations. Conclusion. Due to the lack of regulation and oversight, workers in the informal sector in Tanzania often face hazardous conditions that put their health and safety at risk. Workers use self-intuitions, observations, injuries and near miss incidences to improvise control measures and minimize hazardous risks. This study provides baseline information that can be used for evidence-based decision-making and policy formulation to safeguard workers’ safety and health in the informal sectors of Tanzania.

Keywords:

• Health and safety
• informal sector
• soil brickmaking
• stone quarries
• Tanzania

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to extend sincere thanks to the artisanal stone quarrying and soil brickmaking workers for accepting their requests to participate in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethics approval

All study materials received ethical clearance from the independent ethics committee (Reg. no. SUA/SM-CoSE/2022) and were reported to the Sokoine University of Agriculture Research Ethics Committee. Research permits were obtained from local government authorities before visiting the workplace sites. The study’s aims and implications were clearly explained to all participants, who were free to willingly participate in the study. Verbal informed consent was obtained from each participant, and no names or any form of identity were used to ensure confidentiality.