AN ASSESSMENT OF COMMON HAZARDS AND SAFETY PRACTICES IN HOTELS IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA
Author(s): Eyo, Ekei Effiong; Fingite, Ruth Omubo; Joshua, Favour Gideon
Institute(s): 1,2 Department of Envirvonmental Management, University of Calabar, Nigeria; 3 Department of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Calabar, Nigeria
Volume 5 / Issue 2
Abstract
The study investigated common hazards and safety practices in hotels located in Cross River State, Nigeria. Mixed-methods research design was employed, utilizing triangulation to collect data through questionnaire, semi structured interviews and observational checklist. Multistage sampling design combined with stratified purposive sampling was employed to select the LGAs and to categorize hotels within each region. Data were collected from 122 hotel workers in 18 hotels in Cross River State. The findings revealed that 14.75% of the workers identified long working hours with low pay as a common hazard in the hotels. Fire outbreaks constituted 4.01% of the hazards that occurred in the hotels. However, the compliance level with the hotel safety measures was inconsistent across the different categories of hotels. Safety compliance was poor in the one-star hotels across the regions. Hotel workers and guests particularly in the lower ranked hotels may be vulnerable to poor working and service conditions, which could potentially undermine the reputation of Cross River State as a tourism destination.
Number of Pages: 8
Number of Words: 3431
First Page: 57
Last Page: 64