MSUIR Collection:

Assessment of safety culture for occupational radiation protection in medical practices : a case study of Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Harare, Zimbabwe

Chipuru, Justice — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Assessment of safety culture for occupational radiation protection in medical practices : a case study of Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Harare, Zimbabwe Authors: Chipuru, Justice Abstract: Although highly beneficial, the use of ionizing radiation and nuclear technologies poses risks to workers, the public and the environment. The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) reported that medical occupational exposure contributes 75% of the 9.6 million workers exposed to artificial sources of radiation (UNSCEAR; 2016). This is attributed to the widespread medical applications of the technologies that include dental radiology; diagnostic radiology (general X-ray, Computed Tomography, Mammography, bone densitometry); Interventional radiology (fluoroscopy, angiography); Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine (diagnosis and treatment). The exposure emanates from practices and interventions, where the former involves normal operations while interventions seek to reduce the existing radiation exposure, in emergency situations (IAEA, 2015).

Safety management in secondary schools in Bikita district..

Mando, Ernest K — Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Safety management in secondary schools in Bikita district.. Authors: Mando, Ernest K Abstract: Over the recent years, numerous incidents of fire, accidents, injuries and abuses have been reported in many secondary schools in Bikita District with increasing frequency and severity. They include physical and psychosocial safety threats. However, there is no adequate documentation of all these cases. It was therefore necessary to make a study of safety management in secondary schools in the district. The main objective of this study was to examine the safety management system of secondary schools in Bikita District. A descriptive survey design was used in this study. The target population included the Secondary School Educators and the Learners. A cluster sampling and a quota sampling was used in the selection of secondary schools, ensuring that boarding schools and day schools were represented in the sample. A random stratified sampling was then used to choose students based on levels of education while convenience sampling was used on the educators. Data was collected using structured questionnaires for the educators and the learners to ensure authenticity, and an observation checklist. In other words, data collection techniques used included the questionnaire and participant observation. Microsoft Excel version 2010 was predominantly used in the analysis of data to yield frequencies and percentages. A regression analysis was applied to test the significant relationship between independent variable (type of school) and independent variable (management practices). Based on the findings of this study, it was observed that most secondary schools generally do not have safety management systems in place. All the components of safety management under the study that include management practices, systems and procedures, surveillance and maintenance had a relatively low positive frequency count that proves non-existence of safety management systems in schools. Most secondary schools do not have safety policies, safety personnel and safe operating procedures. Nevertheless, psychosocial aspects are relatively well addressed in most schools. The findings of this study will help the policy makers in the education sector to look into issues of safety and possibly incorporate this aspect into the national regulatory and legislative frameworks. This will ultimately reduce or eliminate physical and psychosocial safety threats in secondary schools.

Comparative study on early growth performance of dodonaea viscosa and leucaena leucocephala planted on different soil types applied on mine tailings dump at Renco Mine

Kaphaizi, Davison — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Comparative study on early growth performance of dodonaea viscosa and leucaena leucocephala planted on different soil types applied on mine tailings dump at Renco Mine Authors: Kaphaizi, Davison Abstract: Renco Mine tailings dump was commissioned in 1998, since 2006, a few tolerant plant species, most often exotics, with lower growth rates and not acclimatized to local conditions were once planted on the tailings dump using natural soil in an attempt to reclaim it. The main objective of the study was to compare early growth performance of Dodonaea viscosa and Leucaena leucocephala planted on biosolids (treatment) and natural soil (control) applied on an operational mine tailings dump at Renco Mine, Zimbabwe. Soil fertility analysis results shown that, both soils were very acidic, high in N and had traces of Ca, Mg and K. However, only boisoilds were high in P. Two rows with 125 planting holes each and an inter-row spacing of 2m were established on grass covered block area, and similarly on bare ground block area, and half of the holes randomly applied with either of the soil types in each block. A total of 250 Dodonaea viscosa species and 250 Leucaena leucocephala species were randomly planted on these planting stations in December 2017. Generally, Dodonaea viscosa planted on biosolids on grass covered area exhibited the highest overall monthly growth height increment interval of 3.1± 1.45cm. Similarly, Leucaena leucocephala recorded an overall monthly mean height growth increment interval of 2.27 ± 1.11cm. The highest monthly average Root Collar Diameter intervals were 0.03 ± 0.02cm on both species planted on biosolids with grass cover. Dodonaea viscosa planted on biosolids soil treatment on grass covered ground recorded the highest survival rate of 66.7%. Leucaena leucocephala planted on biosolids soil treatment on grass covered ground recorded its highest survival rate of 61.1%. Lowest survival rates were recorded on Leucaena leucocephala planted on natural soil on both bare ground and grass covered with survival rates of 22.2% and 33.3% respectively. Significant differences were observed in early growth performance of Dodonaea viscosa and Leucaena leucocephala on mine tailings dump (P<0.05). Similarly, significant differences were observed in early growth performance of species on different soil treatments applied on mine tailings dump (P<0.05) as well as early growth performance of species on grass covered soil and bare soil on mine tailings dump (P<0.05). Findings of the study indicate that, Dodonaea viscosa can be extensively used in revegetation of mine dumps, while Leucaena leucocephala can be relatively used with ameliorative measures on pH.

The impact of organisational downsizing on survivor employees’ safety and health: a case of Zimasco Kwekwe (pvt) limited

Marandure, Tsvakai Jonny — Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Title: The impact of organisational downsizing on survivor employees’ safety and health: a case of Zimasco Kwekwe (pvt) limited Authors: Marandure, Tsvakai Jonny Abstract: Organisational downsizing is a strategy employed by most limping organizations in quest for survival. The strategy can have fatal effects if not properly implemented. The study evaluated organizational downsizing and its subsequent effects to the remaining employees’ safety and health focusing on Zimasco Kwekwe. This was driven by the premise that organizations must ensure uptight safety and health systems are in place regardless of challenges faced as this cannot be compromised. Qualitative research approach was used to obtain several truths of the study. It focused on real life experiences of the respondents which assisted in bringing to the fore the experiences of the participants. Thus, the study used descriptive approaches to obtain truth which are the hermeneutics and case study designs which assisted in coming up with inferences within a natural setting. This also assisted in ascertaining the impacts of downsizing on survivor employee’s safety and health. The study population was 532 giving a sample of 53 respondents obtained through stratified random sampling. Systematic random sampling was then used to afford respondents equal selection opportunity. The study then purposively identified and interviewed two (2) Safety, Health and Environmental practitioners from the managerial strata with a view to have an inclusive and generalizable finding. Content and thematic analysis methods were used to analyse data gathered through documentary sources and interviews respectively. The research found that, Zimasco recorded the worst safety and health performance during the period 2013/2014 compared to the period 2010 to 2012. This was noted through respondents’ sentiments that there were a lot of inconsistencies in the safety and health performance during this period. To note was a fatality recorded in December 2013 and an increase of disabling injuries from the average and budgeted 1 incident/ year to 5 in 2013 and 9 in 2014. The SHE surveillance audit was last conducted in 2014 and a 4-star rating was recorded against the usual 5 star for prior years. This was mainly attributed to the 2013 fatality and the recorded disabling injuries that reflected deterioration of systems and standards. The major identified causes of these accidents were skills gaps, training gaps, role overload and fear of the unknown which are all an outcome of skills displacement post the downsizing process as the rightly skilled employees were terminated. Those left remained with huge demands making it difficult to comply with all safety requirements and at times unknowingly breaching standards which compromised their safety and health. Such actions were also driven by health effects experienced mainly depression, psychological trauma, fatigue and distress. The effects began to be most visible post the downsizing process. Sickness absence rate also picked from 2013 with a few labour complement compared to prior years. Though the sickness absence record was high in 2012, this was mainly due to the huge complement. In terms of percentage occurrence of sickness absence cases, the 2013/2014 record was high. The study established that downsizing has got effects on employee safety and health if no attention is paid to people related issues whilst undertaking the process as it results in negative health effects on survivor employees as well as increased accidents. The study therefore concluded that organizations need to embrace organizational downsizing as a holistic package that does not neglect and compromise on the safety and health of the survivor employees.