EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES ONOCCUPATION HEALTH AND SAFETY: A CASE STUDY OF AMBROSEALLI UNIVERSITY, EKPOMA, EDO STATE- NIGERIA.

ABSTRACTThis study examined the effectiveness of government policies on occupational health andsafety (OHS)towards reducing workplace health risks at Ambrose Alli University (AAU),Ekpoma, Nigeria. With a sample of 286 employees—including academic staff, administrativestaff, and support personnel—this mixed-methods study evaluates awareness, compliance,and perceptions regarding government-mandated OHS policies. Data were collected usingstructured surveys and semi-structured interviews. Findings indicate that while governmentOHS policies establish a foundational framework, challenges such as limited funding,inconsistent enforcement, and varying levels of awareness among staff hinder fullcompliance. Academic staff reported the highest levels of policy awareness (mean score =3.35 on a 5-point scale), while support staff showed the lowest (mean score = 2.70),highlighting significant gaps in safety communication. The study revealed an overallcompliance rate of 39.4%, with academic staff showing a higher adherence (46.7%)compared to support staff (28.3%), primarily due to restricted access to protective equipmentand safety training. Perceptions of workplace safety were similarly low, with support