Occupational Health and Safety Policy Gaps in the Informal Welding Sector in Oyo State

The informal welding sector in Nigerian cities operates largely outside the reach of formal occupational health and safety (OHS) policy frameworks, creating significant worker health vulnerabilities. This study identified and analyzed occupational health and safety policy gaps as they affect informal welding establishments in Oyo State, South West Nigeria. A policy analysis combined with a cross-sectional field survey was employed. Document review of national and state OHS policies was conducted alongside structured interviews with 40 policy implementers from Oyo State Ministry of Labour, NSITF, and artisan association leaders. A worker survey was administered to 100 welders across Ibadan and Ogbomosho. Results revealed that existing OHS legislation, primarily the Factories Act and Employee Compensation Act, does not adequately cover self-employed informal welders in its implementation scope. On-site assessments confirmed that 91 percent of informal welding shops had no compliance interaction with state labor inspectors in the past two years. Policy communication to workers was entirely absent, with zero respondents aware of any relevant government safety directive. The structural dichotomy between formal policy design and informal sector realities was identified as the core governance challenge. The study recommends the development of an informal sector-specific OHS policy framework, formalization incentive programs through trade associations, and mobile inspection units for periodic safety compliance monitoring in Oyo State. Keywords: OHS policy, informal sector, welding industry, regulatory gaps, Oyo State.