Effectiveness of the Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management System in a Psychiatric Unit: A Case Study of Harare Central Hospital, Zimbabwe

Dzamara Tafadzwa

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i05.85946

Effectiveness of the Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management System in a Psychiatric Unit: A Case Study of Harare Central Hospital, Zimbabwe

Author(s)	Dzamara Tafadzwa
Country	Zimbabwe
Abstract	Health workers attached to psychiatric units face elevated occupational risks arising from exposure to patients whose behaviour can be unpredictable and, at times, violent, yet the effectiveness of occupational health and safety (OHS) risk management in mental health settings remains under-researched in low resource settings such as Zimbabwe. This study examined the effectiveness of the OHS risk management system (RMS) at the psychiatric unit of Harare Central Hospital. A cross-sectional design underpinned by a positivist research philosophy was adopted, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. A stratified random sample of 50 employees was drawn from a target population of 3,058 hospital staff, and self-administered questionnaires, key informant interviews, observation and secondary hospital records were used to collect data; 38 questionnaires were returned, giving a response rate of 76%. Findings showed that although an OHS risk management plan had existed since January 2017, 60% of respondents were unaware of its existence, 68.4% did not understand the risk management system, and 79% could not identify hazards in their workplace. Training coverage was low, with between 74% and 82% of respondents having received no training in hazard identification, hierarchy of controls or OHS protocols. Compliance with OHS protocols was weak, with 66% of respondents indicating non-compliance and 76% disagreeing that risk assessment was well implemented. Documented cases of patient-on-staff violence corroborated these findings. The study concludes that the OHS RMS at Harare Central Hospital's psychiatric unit is largely ineffective owing to poor awareness, inadequate training, the absence of a dedicated safety officer, and weak enforcement, and recommends mandatory induction training, appointment of a Safety, Health and Environment Officer, and establishment of a risk management committee.
Keywords	Hazards, Hospital Staff, Occupational Health and Safety, Psychiatric Nursing, Risk Management, Zimbabwe
Field	Medical / Pharmacy
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 5, September-October 2026
Published On	2026-09-26
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i05.85946

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Effectiveness of the Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management System in a Psychiatric Unit: A Case Study of Harare Central Hospital, Zimbabwe

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