Occupational Hazards and Safety Measures Amongst the Paint Factory Workers in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

BackgroundThe manufacture of paint involves a variety of processes that present with medical hazards. Safety initiatives are hence introduced to limit hazard exposures and promote workplace safety. This aim of this study is to assess the use of available control measures/initiatives in selected paint factories in Lagos West Senatorial District, Nigeria.MethodsA total of 400 randomly selected paint factory workers were involved in the study. A well-structured World Health Organization standard questionnaire was designed and distributed to the workers to elicit information on awareness to occupational hazards, use of personal protective devices, and commonly experienced adverse symptoms. Urine samples were obtained from 50 workers randomly selected from these 400 participants, and the concentrations of the heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, and chromium) were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy.ResultsThe results show that 72.5% of the respondents are aware of the hazards associated with their jobs; 30% have had formal training on hazards and safety measures; 40% do not use personal protective devices, and 90% of the respondents reported symptoms relating to hazard exposure. There was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) increase in the mean heavy metal concentrations in the urine samples obtained from paint factory workers as compared with nonfactory workers.ConclusionThe need to develop effective frameworks that will initiate the integration and ensure implementation of safety regulations in paint factories is evident. Where these exist, there is a need to promote adherence to these practice guidelines.

Assessment of Heavy Metals on Occupationally Exposed Workers from Hair Analysis

“…Siew Lai Huang studied the particle size distribution and concentration of metallic elements of solvent-and water-based paint dust from collected bulk dust and found that the mean concentration of arsenic in solvent-based paint dust was 100 ± 0.020 mg/kg while the mean concentrations of arsenic in waterbased paint dust was 20.65 ± 6.11 mg/kg [37]. Awodele et al found that arsenic concentration in urine sample of paint factory workers was 20 times as high as that found in non-factory workers [27]. Lubricant oils are used in a variety of applications.…”

“…The highest lead concentration was in hair specimen of a car painter (samples ID 7). Lead is one of the heavy metals contained in commonly-used raw materials in paint manufacturing as pigments or preservatives [27]. In his study, Awodele found that lead concentration in the urine of paint factory workers was twice as high as found in non-factory workers [27].…”

“…Lead is one of the heavy metals contained in commonly-used raw materials in paint manufacturing as pigments or preservatives [27]. In his study, Awodele found that lead concentration in the urine of paint factory workers was twice as high as found in non-factory workers [27]. Lead is also one of the most-used nonferrous metals in the manufacture of metal products, chemical, batteries, and various other items [28].…”

Assessment of Hematotoxicity and Genotoxicity among paint Workers in Assiut Governorate: a case control study

“…Also, paints contain pigments such as lead, cadmium, arsenic and chromium (Awodele et al 2014). Besides, Titanium dioxide and silver are nanoparticles used as paint additives (Smulders et al 2014).…”

Occupational Injuries Among Workers in a Nitrogenous Fertilizers Company, Egypt

“…In Nigeria, (85.5%) of paint factory workers didn't use gloves, (61.5%) didn't use goggles, while (25.5%) of them used boots, and (28%) used uniform (Awodele et al, 2014). This could be attributed to an insufficient supply of PPE, lack of awareness, worker's discomfort from PPE, and lack of complying with safety rules.…”