STUDENT LABORATORY SAFETY MEASURES COMPLIANCE IN OFFICE TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT, FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC IDAH, KOGI STATE

This work is designed to examine student laboratory safety measures compliance in Office Technology and Management, Federal Polytechnic Idah, Kogi State. To guide the study, four purposes, four research questions and two hypotheses were formulated. The instrument of data collection was questionnaire. Data collected and analyzed were driven from the four research questions posed. The population for this study comprises of 191 academic staff, technical staff and students. The main instrument used for data collection was structure 5-point rating scale questionnaire. Data collected was analyzed using frequency table, mean statistics and t-test analysis. The analysis revealed that students exhibited a high level of compliance with electrical safety measures. Practices such as ensuring cords and plugs are in good condition, avoiding contact with electrical equipment using wet hands, and switching off power sources after use were commonly observed; in the area of ergonomics safety, the results showed a generally positive level of compliance. Students acknowledged that classroom furniture supports good posture and that breaks are encouraged to reduce screen-time strain. However, the use of ergonomic accessories such as wrist supports and screen filters received relatively lower agreement; findings related to equipment care safety measures showed the highest level of compliance, with a grand mean of 4.08. Students reported proper handling of technological equipment, adherence to manufacturer instructions, safe storage practices, and the restriction of repair activities to trained personnel; on data security safety, students demonstrated good compliance with measures such as logging out after use, creating strong passwords, discouraging the sharing of login credentials, and receiving cybersecurity guidance. Furthermore, the study finds no significant difference in the responses of male and female respondents regarding students’ electrical safety measures compliance in OTM; the study also finds no significant difference in the responses of male and female respondents regarding students’ ergonomics safety measures compliance in OTM. Based on the research findings, the researcher recommends that the institution continues to provide regular safety sensitization programs for students. These programs should emphasize the dangers of improper electrical practices and the importance of handling electrical devices with caution. Also, there is a need for the institution to upgrade laboratory furniture and equipment to meet ergonomic standards. This includes the provision of adjustable chairs and desks that support proper posture.