Awareness of Occupational Hazards and Use of Personal Protective Equipment Among Artisan Welders in Nnewi, Anambra State

Artisan welding is a prevalent informal sector occupation in industrial clusters such as Nnewi in Anambra State, yet the occupational health awareness and protective practices of welders in this environment remain inadequately studied. This study assesses awareness of occupational hazards and the use of personal protective equipment among artisan welders in Nnewi, focusing on exposure to arc radiation, metal fumes, noise, and musculoskeletal strain. A cross-sectional descriptive design is employed, with 270 welders selected from five major fabrication clusters through systematic random sampling. Structured questionnaires assess hazard awareness, PPE availability, training history, and frequency of equipment use. Direct observation checklists supplement questionnaire data. SPSS is used for data analysis, with chi-square tests used to examine associations between training exposure and PPE compliance. Literature from comparable contexts in West Africa indicates that PPE use among informal welders is below 30 percent despite awareness of welding-related health risks. The study is grounded in the Haddon Matrix model for injury and exposure prevention. Findings will inform Anambra State's Ministry of Commerce and Industrial Development on structuring occupational health safety programmes for informal sector workers. Recommendations will also address the role of trade associations in distributing affordable PPE. Keywords: occupational hazards, personal protective equipment, artisan welders, Nnewi, Anambra State.