International Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Taxation

International Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Taxation ISSN 2143-5572 Vol. 7 (1), pp. 001-008, January, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Impact of occupational health and safety on worker productivity: A case of Zimbabwe food industry

P. Katsuro¹, C. T. Gadzirayi², Taruwona M¹* and Suzanna Mupararano¹

¹Faculty of Commerce, Bindura University of Science Education, P. Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe.

²Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Bindura University of Science Education, P. Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe.

Accepted 16 October, 2019

Abstract

This research sought to assess the impact of occupational health safety (OHS) on productivity in the commercial food industry. The objective of the study was to explore OHS problems of different work areas and their impact on productivity. The research targeted production supervisors, shop floor employees and industrial clinic nurses. Questionnaires, interviews and observations were used as research instruments to collect data. The study found out that OHS related problems negatively affect workers’ productive capacity in the food industry resulting in reduced worker output. Workers develop a negative attitude and low morale towards work. High incidents of accidents at work also occur. The study recommends that food industry factories should upgrade their OHS through training programmes and use up-to-date equipment.

Key words: Occupational health, safety, food factory, productivity.