Challenges and Solutions in Chemical Safety Training for the Ethiopian Textile Industry: Development of a Targeted Training System

The Ethiopian textile industry faces significant challenges in chemical safety management, particularly a lack of adequate chemical safety training. This study used grounded theory to explore the factors influencing the effectiveness of chemical safety training for textile workers in Ethiopia. It highlights several key challenges, such as the limited quality of the workforce, language barriers, differences in workers’ willingness to train, and backward training methods. To address these challenges, we developed the Training System for Safe Chemical Operation (TSSCO). This system caters to the diverse needs of workers by using various training methods, including visual content, multilanguage support, interactive module, and incentive programs. Based on the trainees’ evaluations of the perceived importance of different system functions on a 5-point Likert scale (where 5 = “Very Important”), the overall average score was 4.25, indicating a strong demand and widespread recognition for a multifunctional and comprehensive training system. The study offers a more focused and practical solution for chemical safety training in Ethiopia’s textile industry.