SAFETY PRACTICES TO MITIGATE OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS AND SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CORRELATES AMONG GRAPHIC DESIGNERS IN RIVER STATE

Abstract Safety practice must be prioritized because occupational hazards in computer graphic designing work can have a significant impact on the health and well-being of workers. This study investigated safety practices to mitigate occupational hazards and socio-demographic correlates among graphic designers in Rivers State. The sample size of study 360 was determined using Cochran’s formula. Multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted for the study which was presented in three stages to select the sample for the study. The instrument for eliciting information for this study was self-administered questionnaire titled Safety Practice and Socio-Demographic Correlates Questionnaire (SPSdCQ). The reliability coefficient of the instrument was 0.8. Collected data were coded and analyzed with the aid of the Statistical Package for Service Solution (version 25.0) using percentage and Pearson Correlation at 0.05 level significance. Results indicated that, the grand mean of 3.11±0.71 is greater than the criterion mean of 2.50, indicating a good safety practice. Thus, the safety behaviours to mitigate occupational hazards among graphic designers in Rivers State was good with majority indicating that they often use cover all during graphic work on objects (3.64±0.97). The result indicated that there was a significant relationship demographic factors (age (N = 360; r = 0.72; p<0.05), work experience (N = 360; r = 0.62; p<0.05) and educational level (N = 360; r = 0.70; p<0.05). The result indicated that there was a significant relationship (N = 360; r = 0.40; p<0.05). It was concluded that graphic designers had good safety practice and the socio-demographic correlates are age, years of work experience and educational level. It was recommended among others that professionals graphic design association should advocate government policies that protect freelance and informal sector designers, including access to health insurance, launch awareness campaigns and establish cooperatives purchasing systems to help members acquire PPE at reduced cost.