1. Project description

The Safe Workplace is a 6-month project that intends to promote occupational safety among abattoir workers by educating 100 butchers on occupational hazards and providing them with personal protective equipment to ensure their safety. The project involves carrying out 3 training sessions for the selected abattoir workers and providing them with protective equipment like gloves, facemasks, and boots that would aid the safe working of the abattoir workers.

The project will commence with a visit to the selected abattoir to meet with the abattoir director to explain the project, its benefits to the workers, and the expected roles and responsibilities of the abattoir community. Also, a signed permission to conduct the project will be obtained. On obtaining this, the abattoir Director would be required to nominate and select 100 workers that would partake in the training. Once selected, all participants would be sensitized on the program- its objectives and importance.  The selected abattoir workers would be assessed before and after the training on their knowledge, attitude, and practice of safety measures. The assessments will be done for two weeks each.

The training will be conducted by two occupational safety experts and would cover topics on occupational hazards, occupational diseases, and workplace safety practices. Each session would last for at least 2 hours and will leverage effective teaching models such as group discussion, peer learning, and presentations, among others. Additionally, handbooks on occupational safety practices will be co-created with the participants, translated into the local languages, and provided to them. Fliers and banners containing infographics promoting safe practices in the abattoir will be distributed to the participants, and posted in prominent places in the abattoir to enhance continuous exposure to the information. During the last month of training, personal protective equipment such as gloves, face masks, and coveralls, will be

provided to the participants. They will be trained on how to use them properly in preventing exposure to hazards.

2. Project progress up to now

The first activity to commence the project was the recording and uploading of an introductory video to the Facebook page of the funding organization, Korea SHE Foundation. The video was to introduce the team and the project to the funders (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Dv2i16m9BeR4D0oudmXyRoljCHz6qrUZ/view?usp=drivesdk).

Going further, a design for the project T-shirts created. The process for obtaining ethical approval for the project has commenced.

On the 14th of June 2023, the safe workplace team met with the project officer of the abattoir, Dr. Akanbi Ibikunle, and his deputy, Dr. Adedeji to explain the project, its benefits to the workers, and the expected roles and responsibilities of the abattoir community. In support of the project, they promised to provide the adequate and necessary support needed for the successful completion of the project, and a signed permission consent form was obtained from them. Also, the details of the meeting was written and have been published in a newspaper, Maritime newspaper (https://www.maritimefirstnewspaper.com/safe-workplace-project-significant-stride-towards-occupational-security/).

In preparation for the baseline assessment, a well-structured questionnaire was developed and approved for use. The questionnaire was translated into the primary language of the abattoir workers, Yoruba language for easy administration.

There was a long hiatus between abattoir entry and commencement of baseline assessment due to some internal leadership issues going on in the abattoir and consequently, the unavailability of the abattoir director who was subsequently change. However, on 18th of July 2023, the first phase of the baseline assessment was carried out among the abattoir workers and 46 participants were accessed. The questionnaire was interviewer-administered because majority of the abattoir workers were uneducated and could neither read nor write. The second phase of the baseline assessment would be carried out a week after to enable the accessment of more abattoir workers.

 In preparation for the first training session, the information, educational, and communication (IEC) materials such as banners, fliers, and handbooks have been designed and would soon be printed out.

3. Project plan forward

To ensure the successful completion of the project, the remaining activities to be carried out are;

The three sessions of training of the abattoir workers and equipping them with necessary protective equipment.

Endline assessment which will be carried out after the training sessions.

Impacts and result dissemination; this will be conducted in the last month of the program to conclude its activities. This event will involve the presentation of the project findings, and impact along with providing recommendations to the abattoir community. The beneficiaries will also be able to give testimonies, feedback, and comments regarding the program.

4. Photos

Abattoir Area Visit

Baseline Assessment

Newspaper Screenshot