The effectiveness of the occupational safety and health act in protecting employees in Uganda
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Date
2012-05
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Publisher
Kampala International University, School of Law
Abstract
The study is an exploratory design carried out in Uganda which sought to; analyze effectiveness of the law governing occupational safety and health in protecting employees; establishing the circumstances that lead to the abuse of the rights of employees at the workplace; to examine the legal challenges experienced in addressing occupational safety and health issues of employees; to suggest ways to counter the weaknesses and excesses in addressing occupational health and safety in the protection of employees. The study relied on qualitative methods of data collection and analysis to generate data.
The findings reflect that much as OSHA has been instrumental in covering safety and health issues in all workplaces, it still leaves a lot to be desired, with employers exploiting the gap of absence of inspection to compromise the requirements of OSHA as they continue to expose workers to unsafe and unhealthy work conditions, moreover with a failure to compensate them. The research concluded that; by introducing the OSHA to supplement other laws, appears contrary particularly in addressing occupational safety and health issues, instead the other law seem to be acting to supplement OSHA as per Section 118. The intention of which OSHA was formed was to address and outline obligations of employers and employees while at the workplace in order to promote workplace security and health. The law has minimized occupational risks but is still with gaps which can be addressed to extend social security to all workers to have an empowered workforce free from duress.
The study recommended that; Raising awareness; making consultative arrangements, recruiting of more inspectors, developing a code of ethics for employers to pursue self-discipline; developing safety committees at the workplace; reviewing existing legislation, and regular reporting to the parliament by the commissioner of labor.
Description
A Dissertation Submitted To The Faculty Of Law In Partial Fulfillment Of The Requirements For The Award Of The Bachelors Degree Of Laws Of Kampala International University
Keywords
Occupational safety, Health act, Employees, Uganda