OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY AS A DETERMINANT OF EMPLOYEES' PRODUCTIVITY: A CASE STUDY OF NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS ENFORCEMENT AGENCY (NESREA) KADUNA STATE FIELD OFFICE

This study observed the influence of occupational health and safety (OHS) practices on employee productivity capacity at the NESREA Kaduna State Field Office, where staff face hazards and risks from environmental inspections. Using a descriptive survey design, data from 52 of 60 employees (Yamane, 1967) revealed 73.1% PPE access, 80.8% endorsement of training benefits and important OLS regression link (β=0.68, p=0.002, R²=0.462), rejecting the null hypothesis. NESREA demonstrates superior basic safety compared to Nigerian peers (58-71% PPE rates), though specialized gear gaps persist. Research affirms that OHS as a strategic driver amid Nigeria's 2.78 million annual work-related incidents and deaths (ILO, 2023), recommending enhanced hazmat procurement, annual simulations and performance integration for regulatory efficacy.