Causes of occupational safety and health-related stress among informal metal fabrication employees in Gweru, Zimbabwe

Informal metal fabrication industry plays a crucial role to the economy of Zimbabwe since it creates employment for skilled and unskilled workers. However, employees in the informal metal fabrication industry are affected by occupational health and safety related stress. Regardless of the fact that stressors have been recognized in Zimbabwe the drivers remain unanswered. The study therefore aims to unmask the drivers of occupational health and safety related stress among informal metal fabrication employees in Gweru, Zimbabwe. The study employed a mixed method research design that incorporates qualitative and quantitative methods. The study targeted 88 employees at Mtapa light industry and 46 employees at Muyambo light industry as questionnaire respondents. Data was also collected through interviews, field observations and from secondary data sources. The study made use of five (5) key informants who included two (2) managers and two (2) supervisors each representing Mtapa and Muyambo light industry and one National Social Security Authority (NSSA) inspector. Quantitative data was analyzed using International Business Machines Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS) version 25 and Microsoft Excel and was presented using graphs, images, pie charts and tables. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis and presented using quotations. Ethical approval was obtained from the Midlands State University research ethics committee. Results from the study indicated that employees at Mtapa and Muyambo light industries were exposed to stress due to workload, working in a hurry and failure to meet deadlines. Stress affecting employees in informal metal fabrication industries expose them to mental health problems and headaches. Findings show that the majority of employees over 70% indulged in maladaptive mechanisms like drug and alcohol use to manage occupational stress. Results from the study indicate employees in the informal metal fabrication industry in Gweru are exposed to occupational stress due to mainly task related factors including high workload and meeting deadlines. Employees are implementing the use of drugs and alcohol, taking breaks and sharing problems with peers to manage occupational stress. Findings indicated that the persistence of occupational stress among employees affirms organizational failure despite individual management efforts to manage occupational stress.