Assessment of grain dust management systems among selected animal feed manufacturers in Kiambu County, Kenya

Abstract

The animal feed industry in Kenya continues to experience rapid growth attributable to the increased demand for animal feeds around the major towns. This equally increases the risks of exposure to grain dust to the workers. The level of awareness about the risks and the existing control measures have not been adequately studied and documented in Kenya. The overall objective of the study was to assess the dust management systems among selected animal feed manufacturers in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study adopts a cross-sectional study design. 355 animal feed mill workers were engaged in assessing the dust management systems using structured questionnaires, interviews and walk-through surveys. Data collected was processed and analysed in SPSS. The results showed that the majority of the workers had not been trained in the elements of grain dust management. None of the workers was aware of the air sampling measurements and the exposure limits. Only 16.13% of the feed millers controlled the dust using other engineering and administrative controls, apart from ventilation. The study recommends improvement on the dust control measures.