Effects of Occupational Hazards on Employees’ Productivity

Abstract

It is a fact that profit maximization serves as the key/core objective for setting up business organizations (Bamiduro; 2006); however, in achieving this objective, there is the need to consider the welfare and safety of workers in the organization. Considering the welfare and safety of employees in order to boost productivity and profitability, hazard must be minimized or prevented because it serves as a negative catalyst for declined productivity. This paper tends to illuminate the effect of occupational hazards on employees productivity because it negatively affects productivity, which in turn affects organizational profitability. The researchers adopted the combination of secondary and primary sources of data. The secondary data involves the use of journals, periodicals, internet, and related materials while the primary data envelops questionnaires from respondents. Chi-square was used to test the hypothesis while the data collected through questionnaire was analyzed using descriptive (percentages) and inferential statistics (regression analysis and coefficient of multiple determinations (R²).The results of the study indicate that constant exposure of employees to hazardous substances reduces productivity. The results also indicate that training of employees on accident prevention can positively affect productivity. The conclusion is that occupational hazards have negative effect on productivity. The recommendation is that organizations need to provide safe and conducive environment for the performance of the job. There is also the need to provide training and educative programmes in order to prevent or minimize occupational hazards and boost productivity.

Keyword: Effect, occupational hazards, employees, productivity, and organizations