Occupational Health Risks and Safety Practices Among Informal Cement Vendors in Warri and Environs Delta State Nigeria

Abstract

Informal cement vending is associated with substantial occupational hazards due to frequent exposure to cement dust, manual material handling, and inadequate workplace safety measures. This study assessed occupational hazards and safety practices among informal cement vendors in Warri and Environs, Delta State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed involving 30 purposively selected vendors. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and workplace observation checklists and analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, independent t-test, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression at a 5% level of significance. Most respondents were male (73.3%) and demonstrated high awareness of occupational hazards (grand mean = 4.38 ± 0.15). However, utilisation of personal protective equipment (PPE) was generally poor, with only 16.7% reporting consistent use. Workplace assessments revealed widespread environmental deficiencies, including visible cement dust accumulation (86.7%), inadequate ventilation (70.0%), and absence of safety signage (83.3%). Frequently reported health complaints included general body pain (43.3%), back pain (40.0%), coughing (33.3%), and sneezing (26.7%). Urban vendors exhibited significantly higher PPE utilisation than their peri-urban counterparts (χ² = 4.82, p = 0.028). PPE utilisation was negatively correlated with coughing (r = −0.61, p = 0.001), difficulty breathing (r = −0.54, p = 0.003), and eye irritation (r = −0.49, p = 0.007). Multiple regression identified dust exposure (β = 0.57, p = 0.002) as the strongest predictor of adverse health outcomes, while PPE use (β = −0.48, p = 0.001) significantly reduced symptom burden. The study concludes that informal cement vendors experience considerable occupational health risks despite relatively high hazard awareness. Improved access to PPE, strengthened occupational safety education, and effective dust-control interventions are recommended to promote safer and more sustainable working environments.