OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PRACTICES AND EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY AT THE KENYA NATIONAL CIVIL REGISTRATION OFFICE, NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA
Christine Auma Otieno - Student, Masters in Public Policy and Administration, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Weldon Kibet Ng’eno - Lecturer, Department of Public Policy and Administration, Kenyatta University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
As the nation's economy has grown and the public and private sectors have expanded, there has been a growing interest in the connection between occupational safety and health (OSH) practices and worker productivity. Many organizations have recognized that inadequate safety standards not only endanger employees but also compromise productivity by contributing to increased absenteeism, higher medical costs, and reduced employee morale. The study assessed the effect of workplace safety practices on employee productivity at the Kenya National Civil Registration office. This study was anchored on Goal-Setting, Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) theory. A descriptive study design was adopted, targeting 200 administrative staff, 105 registrars, and 351 clerical officers. The study used disproportionate stratified sampling, to sample 100 administrative staff, 52 registrars, and 70 clerical officers. Primary data collection was done using a questionnaire and an interview guide. The analysis of the quantitative data was done suing mean and standard deviation. The findings of this study conclusively demonstrate that a positive and significant relationship exists between occupational health and safety practices and employee productivity at the Kenya National Civil Registration office. The evidence suggests that a robust and comprehensive safety program is not merely a compliance issue but is a fundamental driver of a productive workforce. The study recommended that Recommendations. The Kenya National Civil Registration office should establish a standardized and centrally managed occupational health and safety policy. The organization should invest in upgrading its ergonomic equipment to address physical discomfort among employees. A mandatory, hands-on safety training program should be implemented to ensure all employees are confident in their skills.