Occupational Health Risks and Preventive Strategies for Scientists and Engineers in Nasrda Selected Facilities

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@article{1722507,
      author = {Nnali Gloria Chidiamara, Salamatu Inuwa, Mathew Felix Gabriel, Hadiza Jibrin, ⁠Dan’azumi Aisha Umar; Silas Samuel},
      title = {Occupational Health Risks and Preventive Strategies for Scientists and Engineers in Nasrda Selected Facilities},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2026},
      volume = {10},
      number = {2},
      pages = {2682-2694},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1722507.pdf},
      abstract = {This study evaluates occupational health risks, individual risk awareness, and preventive strategies for scientists and engineers across five selected National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) Facilities in Nigeria. Using a descriptive cross-sectional research design, a structured questionnaire was administered to fifty (N=50) technical personnel across the selected facilities including Centre for Space Innovation and Development (CSID) Abuja, Centre for Satellite Technology Development (CSTD), Abuja, Bola Ahmed Centre for Space Transport and Propulsion (BATCSTP) Epe, Ground Receiving Station Abuja, and Advanced Space Composite (ASCO) Laboratory, Ilorin. Demographic analysis reveals a highly educated, male-dominated workforce (66%, n=33) where engineers (72%, n=36) significantly outnumber scientists (28%, n=14). Key areas include Electrical/Electronic (32%, n=16), Chemical (18%, n=9), and Mechanical (14%, n=7) engineering units, with 48% (n=24) of the total population holding master’s degrees.  A severe generational gap was identified, with only 4% (n=2) of personnel aged between 20 and 29 years. Regarding occupational health and safety (OHS) metrics, a systemic paradox emerged: while 70% (n=35) of respondents possess strong personal awareness of their work-related hazards, institutional support is seriously Lacking. Specifically, 44% (n=22) explicitly report a deficit in hazard and risk information delivery from their centres, while 20% (n=10) function without any formal safety training. These administrative communication gaps and training deficits directly expose NASRDA’s highly specialized engineering capital within Abuja to preventable physical hazards. The study recommends the integration of comprehensive occupational health and safety management systems tailored to space science facilities in Nigeria, centralized training frameworks to close the 20% training gaps, and structured graduate pipelines to address looming succession risks thereby enhancing workforce protection, productivity, and institutional sustainability.},
      keywords = {aerospace occupational health and safety, hazard risk awareness, preventive strategies, nasrda, engineering, workplace safety training, institutional communications},
      month = {August},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I2-1722507}
  }