Management of Accidents in Informal Sector and Sustainable Healthy Living in Ibadan Metropolis Nigeria

Abstract

The International Labor Organization (ILO, 2024) estimates that more than 60% of jobs worldwide are in the informal sector, where poor regulations frequently result in hazardous working environments. In Nigeria, employment in the informal sector has risen significantly since the 1980s, especially in urban regions like Ibadan. The National Bureau of Statistics indicates that 92.6% of the Nigerian workforce is now engaged in this sector. While this sector plays a crucial role in providing livelihoods, informal workers face high levels of workplace injuries, with minimal government action to protect their well-being. This research explores the types and reasons for workplace accidents among informal workers in Ibadan, Oyo State, along with the strategies these workers employ in the absence of official safety protocols. Adopting an exploratory qualitative method, the study conducted 20 in-depth interviews across five key informal work areas in Ibadan, focusing on high-risk professions such as automobile repair, welding, vulcanizing, and panel beating. Participants were chosen through purposive sampling and offered valuable perspectives on the causes of accidents, management practices, and effects on health and livelihoods. Grounded in Heinrich’s Domino Theory, the study reveals that human error, defective equipment, and lack of safety training contribute to frequent and severe injuries, which workers often treat with improvised methods due to inadequate healthcare access. The results highlighted the pressing need for government-initiated safety measures, such as mandatory safety training, affordable protective equipment, and dedicated healthcare facilities, to improve the safety of informal sector workers and support Nigeria's economic development.

Key words: Informal sector, Occupational health, Workplace accidents, Safety regulations, Coping strategies

DOI: 10.7176/DCS/15-1-05

Publication date: April 30^th 2025