Occupational Safety and Health Awareness and Compliance with Safe Work Practices among Morgue Workers in Kiambu County, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Morgue workers are routinely exposed to biological, chemical, physical, ergonomic, and psychosocial hazards while handling human remains. Although Kenya's Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), 2007, provides a legal framework for workplace safety, limited evidence exists on occupational safety and health (OSH) awareness and compliance with safe work practices among morgue workers. Understanding these factors is important for improving workplace safety and reducing occupational injuries. Aim: This study assessed occupational safety and health awareness and compliance with safe work practices among morgue workers in Kiambu County, Kenya. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Methodology: The study was conducted among morgue workers employed in selected public and private mortuary facilities in Kiambu County. A census approach yielded 195 respondents. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire developed from the Occupational Safety and Health Act (2007), Ministry of Health guidelines, and relevant literature. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, independent-samples t-tests, Pearson's correlation, and multiple linear regression were used to analyse the data at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Occupational safety awareness was moderate, with mean scores of 6.3 ± 1.32 for workplace hazards, 6.3 ± 1.29 for toxic products, and 6.1 ± 1.16 for hazardous materials information systems. Only 13.2% of respondents reported full implementation of universal precautions, while 34.7% indicated that these measures were hardly implemented. Partial use of personal protective equipment (PPE) was reported by 71.6% of respondents, whereas only 21.0% reported full compliance. Additional PPE during high-risk procedures was inadequately used, with 46.5% reporting that it was hardly in place. Occupational safety awareness was strongly associated with overall OSH performance (r = 0.85, p < 0.001). Awareness (β = 0.43), training (β = 0.38), and workers' attitudes (β = 0.24) were significant predictors of occupational safety performance (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Morgue workers demonstrated moderate occupational safety awareness but suboptimal compliance with recommended safe work practices. Strengthening occupational safety training, enforcing safety regulations, ensuring adequate PPE, and promoting a positive safety culture may improve occupational safety in mortuary facilities.