ASSESSING LONE WORKING AND OCCUPATIONAL RISKS IN NIGERIAN PHARMACEUTICAL LABORATORIES

Risks vary with types of tasks carried out in different work places. There have been divergent views as to whether pharmaceutical laboratory workers can be regarded as lone workers often confronted with occupational risks or not. This study focuses on assessing lone working and occupational risks in Nigerian pharmaceutical laboratories. An online Google Form Questionnaire was used for the collation of the responses of the pharmaceutical laboratories workers in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria between April and June, 2024. The data collated were analyzed and the hypotheses tested with standard methods. The demographic information of the respondents with the highest values were: Males (57%); age category of 21-30 years (35%); holders of HND/BSC/BA (70%); married respondents (74%); 0-5 years of working experience (31%); private pharmaceutical (96% while South-West geo-political zone had 44%. The variable, “There are safety policies” had the highest mean of 4.74 when the question on awareness of safety policies in the organization was examined while the variable, “l was given personal protective equipment (PPE) when employed” recorded the highest mean of 4.65 from the responses on the question on trained on safety rules and how to use PPE when employed. However, the highest mean of 3.78 was obtained from the variable, “l perceive risks associated with my job” on the question on the risks associated with working alone whereas the variable, “l enjoy a conducive and friendly work environment” recorded the highest mean of 4.43 on the question on safe working environment and common challenges experienced in working environment. The Pearson Chi-Square asymptotic significance result of 0.732 was obtained when the hypotheses were tested. The findings from the study revealed that pharmaceutical laboratories workers cannot be regarded as lone workers as working in the laboratories involves collaboration which reduces occupational hazards or injuries and minimises errors.