The impact of physical and psychosocial risks on employee well-being and quality of life: The case of the mining industry in Ghana

Abstract While in recent years there has been a growing awareness among mining companies of the need to address physical injuries and environmental issues, there remains a lack of knowledge about how psychosocial risks independently and in conjunction with physical risks affect the health, general well-being and quality of life of mine workers. A cross sectional survey was administered to 330 employees of five large scale mining companies producing three different mineral products (gold, manganese and bauxite) to examine physical and psychosocial hazards in the Ghanaian mining industry and their potential impact on the quality of life and general well-being of employees. Responses from 307 participants showed mining equipment, ambient conditions, and work demands and control as being significant predictors of quality of life and general well-being after controlling for demographics. Age as a demographic variable also had important implications, with older workers experiencing better well-being and quality of life. Implications of findings for the mining sector in Ghana and other developing countries are discussed as a starting point towards developing further initiatives in this area.