Developing a Workplace Health and Safety Management System for Small-Scale Industries in Aba, Abia State

Small-scale industries in Aba, Nigeria's industrial hub, employ thousands of workers in metalwork, garment manufacturing, and leather production under conditions of significant occupational health and safety risk without formalised safety management systems. This study developed a practical workplace health and safety management system for small-scale industries in Aba, Abia State, South East Nigeria. A system development methodology was employed, beginning with an occupational health needs assessment survey of 150 workers and 30 factory owners across 30 small-scale enterprises in Ariaria Industrial Market and Ngwa Road industrial areas. The needs assessment identified the five most prevalent hazards: unguarded machinery (83.3 percent of enterprises), chemical solvent exposure (66.7 percent), noise above permissible limits (60.0 percent), inadequate fire evacuation routes (76.7 percent), and absence of PPE provision (80.0 percent). The developed management system framework encompasses hazard identification and risk assessment protocols, PPE selection and use standards, emergency response procedures, worker health surveillance scheduling, accident and incident reporting systems, and management review mechanisms. A simplified compliance checklist and worker safety induction training module are included. Expert review by eight occupational health and safety professionals confirmed the system's practical adaptability for small enterprise contexts. The study recommends adoption through the Abia State Ministry of Labour's Small Business Development Programme and linkage to Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund accident prevention incentive schemes.

Keywords: workplace health and safety, small-scale industries, Aba, Abia State, occupational health management