Prevention and management of occupational injuries at selected higher eduction institution in the Western Cape, South Africa

Abstract

Purpose of study: The purpose of this study was to explore the injury on duty prevention and management strategies that are currently used in different higher education settings. The study intended to shed light on specific areas of policy and practice discrepancies related to the disjuncture between employee interactions, regulated directives and organizational goals. Aims and objectives: One of the aims was to determine the types of work-related injuries that occur in HEI’s by verifying the injuries reported on Employers Reports of an Accident. A second aim was to examine strategies that have been put in place to prevent injuries in the workplace by reviewing policies and procedures related to injury prevention. The final aim was to examine systems in-place to manage occupational injuries by looking at staff health or employee wellness service flow charts or models used at the HEIs. Population and sample: Permanently employed personnel at two HEI’s in the Western Cape were participants in a multiple case study. The sample units consisted of health and safety representatives, human resources, maintenance personnel, estates and custodial, traffic services and departmental managers. Methodology: This study applied a mixed-method using a multiple case study design as an approach to the enquiry. Methods of data collection: Documents, questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews were be used to obtain data to answer the research questions. Process of analysis: Qualitative and quantitative themes will be analysed in a matrix. The three data sources were triangulated to validate the findings. Benefits of the study: Injury prevention benefits the employer and employee in many ways, including increased employee performance leading to increased productivity as well as cost savings. Main findings: Injuries that were reported are mostly musculoskeletal injuries; however other types of injuries may not be reported due to under reporting of injuries being common in this setting. Health and safety training and knowledge sharing was not well supported and injury prevention strategies were not optimized. The application of health and safety policies and procedures were not adequately communicated, enforced or monitored. Staff health and employee wellness strategies operate independently and do not facilitate a coordinated response to manage occupational injuries in this setting. Lack of monitoring, organizational support, training and knowledge sharing and communication were the four main challenges to injury prevention management systems. Conclusions: The implementation of an effective injury prevention and management programme could benefit the organization and translate into increased operational value (organizational quality). Key words: Higher Education Institutions, Occupational Injury prevention, Management of occupational injury.