Analysis of Occupational Exposure Incident among Engineering Students during Industrial Training in Nigeria

Occupational training is a crucial feature in enhancing workforce efficiency and the expertise involved in any profession. This is carried out through a variety of ways such as institutional training, basic instructions, excursions, industrial training, laboratory lessons, workshop operations, field studies, intensive problem-solving based seminars, personal contacts with experts and various "extempore modus operandi" in one's chosen profession, and extracurricular activities. This study analyses the associated occupational exposure incidents of Nigerian engineering students during their 6-month industrial work experience. Data were collected using a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire having 5-point Likert scale and closed format. The defined conceptual basis and aim of the study guided the questionnaire development. These include employer imposed factors, job/work factors, and trainee (student) factors. The analyzed data showed that the level of occupational exposure incidents observed among Nigerian engineering students in their places of attachment was minimal. However, the observed levels of occupational exposure in this study were a result of uncontrolled hazards which cause occupational diseases among industrial trainees (students). This goes to state that appropriate basic safety practice which is one of the major work ethics in engineering profession should be given utmost consideration by all concerned parties to ensure reduction of hazards in work environment to its barest minimum.