WORKSHOP SAFETY PRACTICE SKILLS NEEDED BY ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC STUDENTS OF TECHNICAL COLLEGE IN PLATEAU STATE

Abstract

This study examined the workshop safety practice skills needed by electrical and electronic
students for effective functioning in Technical Collage workshop in Plateau State. The study
adopted a survey research design. The population of the study comprised 70 electrical/ Electronic
teachers and workshop attendants (50 teachers and 20 workshop attendants) in Technical Collage
workshop in Plateau State. There was no sampling in selecting the schools as it is the only technical
college in Plateau State. Government Science and Technical College, Bukuru was used in the study.
However, a simple random technique was employed in selecting the respondents in the technical
college within the study area. Three research questions were raised and three hypotheses
postulated for the study. The instrument for data collection for the study was a 23-item structured
questionnaire developed by the researcher. The instrument was validated by three experts from
the Department of Science and Technology Education to ensure the relevance of the items to the
aim of the study; and also to ensure the appropriateness of the items in terms of number. In
determining the reliability index of the instrument, the instrument was administered to 20 teachers
and 10 workshop attendants in Government Technical Colleges, Gumau and Gadau, Bauchi State.
Shift half technique or Cronbach alpha method was used for obtaining the reliability of 0.89. The
research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation while the hypotheses were
tested using an independent sample t-test at a significance level of 0.05. The study found that
safety practice skills such as avoidance of loose wire and cables and separation of higher power
equipment and connections from lower power equipment are needed by students in the technical
college. It was also revealed that tying long hear to the back of the head and wearing of PPE are
safety practice skill needed by the students in clothing and personal equipment; and that
familiarizing oneself with the exits in the workshop, ensuring provision of proper lightening and
ventilation, keeping the floor off grease oil or any other liquid are the safety practice skills needed
by students in workshop environment. The study recommended that all the safety practice skills
being identified in the study should be integrated into the curriculum of electrical and electronic at
technical college level.