INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The construction industry plays an important role in any economy and its activities are also vital

to the achievement of the socio-economic development goals of providing shelter, infrastructure

and employment (Anaman and OseiAmponsah, 2007). Indeed, the interdependence of the

construction sector and economic development has been addressed by various writers and in all

cases, there is evidence indicating a direct link between investment in construction and economic

growth. For instance, in an extensive study by Lopes (1998), it was revealed that countries that

invested minimum of 4% into construction industry are likely to grow faster in their Gross

Domestic Product (GDP).

Construction is widely regarded as an accident prone industry (Haslam et al., 2006). The

construction industry involves many operations that can be risky, dangerous, and unhealthy

(Elbeltagi and Hegazy, 2002). Safety and health issues at construction sites have gained

industrywide attention, with an increasing number of centers and commissions in different parts

of the world promoting construction safety and health (Cheung et al, 2004). Safety and health at

work is a basic human right (ILO, 2001) and therefore the health status of construction workers

needs to be considered prior, during and on leaving the industry (Deacon, 2003). Due to this

measures have been put in place to ensure the management of health and safety since the workers

involved are exposed to hazards most at times. Laws have been enacted which provides roles for

employers to play as well as employees in ensuring a good health and safety management. For

example; “The Construction Law of the People’s Republic of China”. In Ghana, the construction

industry has no legislation on health and safety but then relies on other legislations on health and

safety such as the Labour Act 2003 (ACT 651), Factories, Offices and shop Act of 1970 (ACT

328).

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The construction Industry in Ghana has always suffered from poor image, for instance, high cost,

hazardous working conditions, poor quality. Accidents, incidents, injuries and fatalities continue

to occur unabated on construction site around the world at consistently high rates [Hinze, 1997].

Yet the causes of accidents and ill-health are well known and all of the deaths and injuries that

occur in construction are foreseeable and preventable.

Most workers may not see the need to wear protective clothing while others may simply

complain of discomfort in being in them.

The problem is not that the hazards and risks are unknown, it is that they are very difficult to

control in a constantly changing working environments. Currently there appears to be virtually

no documented empirical evidence of contemporary issues of occupational health and safety on

casual workers in the Ghanaian building construction sites. In order to address the shortfall, this

research project finds out the knowledge of construction site workers on health and safety in the

construction industry.

AIM OF THE STUDY.

The aim of this research project is to investigate the extent of knowledge of construction site

workers on health and safety in Ghana.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the research seek to:

1. Identify the various health and safety regulations associated with the Ghanaian

construction industry.

2. Identify the roles of construction site workers in ensuring health and safety on site.

3. Find out the extent of exposure of health and safety hazards to workers and the

appropriate measure they apply to prevent effects of these hazards.

4. Examine the provisions of welfare facilities to construction site workers.

1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of my research is health and safety regulations on Ghanaian construction industry and

most specifically in Ashanti Region, Kumasi. The research goes to study the health and safety

regulations on different types and sizes of local construction companies in Ghana.

1.5 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The research employed a range of complementary research methods over various phases. In the

preliminary phase, background information on casual workers was gathered from literature on

textbooks, journals, conference papers, thesis, World Wide Web (www) in practices in the

construction industry. This helped in developing a theoretical framework capturing the key

issues relevant to the industry. A survey on targeted respondents were contractors who have

active sites, project engineers, project managers, foremen and casual workers on these sites to

determine their attitudes and opinions about health and safety practices performed on sites. A

closed ended questionnaire would be developed for collecting data from the fieldwork which

helped collate and interrogate the large volume of data collected during the research. The

methodology applied to this study has been predominantly quantitative, due to the fact that

findings were expressed in, figures, tables, charts, graph and the like, directed at developing a

deeper understanding of the health and safety issues faced by casual workers.

1.6 STRUCTURE/ORGANIZATION OF THE RESEARCH WORK

This dissertation is divided into five (5) chapters:

Chapter 1: Introduction

This is a general introduction to the research topic. It captures the background information of the

research, the problem statement, aims and objectives, the scope of the study, research questions

and the structure of the research.

Chapter 2: Literature Review

This chapter deals with the relevant literature of this study. It discusses literature of earlier

studies on the subject who subsequently formed the foundation for the analysis and interpretation

of the research data.

Chapter 3: Methodology

This section deals with the methods employed in the study. It provides information on the

research tools and methods employed in collecting the data for the study.

Chapter 4: Discussion and Analysis

The answers provided by the respondents were critically analysed by both inferential and

descriptive statistical methods in this chapter.

Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendation

This chapter gives the conclusion to the research and the possible recommendations for further

research.

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

INTRODUCTION

The construction industry includes all companies primarily engaged in construction as general

contractors, operator builders, heavy construction (airports, highways, and utility systems), and

construction by specialty trades. Also included are companies that engage in the preparation of

sites for new construction and in subdividing land for building sites. Construction work may

include new work, additions, alterations, or maintenance and repairs. Construction work is often

described by either type, residential (home building) versus non-residential (commercial and

government buildings and infrastructure projects), or by funding source, public versus private

(Conway et al., 2005).

GLOBAL CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

The construction sector represents, for many countries, a core economic activity. It not only

provides the infrastructure for all other industries, but also constitutes one of the largest single

sectors in the economy on its own. Closely linked with public works, governments have relied on

the construction sector as a strategically important industry for creating employment and

sustaining growth. For the developing economies, the construction sector carries particular

importance because of its link to the development of basic infrastructure, training of local

personnel, transfer of technologies, and improved access to information channels (International

Investment and Services Directorate, 1999).

Construction services, in a large number of countries, are primarily supplied through the

establishment of service suppliers at or near the site for the work by local or regional operators.

On-site establishment is normally confined to the duration of the particular project, while

regional or local presence may be ensured on a permanent basis to service or promote several

projects. Joint ventures between foreign and domestic firms are quite common - often out of

necessity for financing of projects; transfers of technology and know-how; and assistance in

meeting local laws, regulations, and practices (International Investment and Services Directorate,

1999).

In many countries, construction services may be carried out by general contractors who complete

all the work for the proprietor of the project, or by specialized sub-contractors who undertake

parts of the work. Analysis by the World Trade Organization Secretariat indicates that most

countries have a small number of large firms, a moderate number of medium-sized firms, and a

large number of small firms who specialize in certain fields or who operate in small geographical

areas (International Investment and Services Directorate, 1999).

THE GHANAIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

The construction industry in Ghana, as in other parts of the world, is huge and a crucial segment

in economic development. No matter what one does, there is construction, as it cuts across all

sectors. Being among the top drivers of the Ghanaian economy, including agriculture,

manufacturing and mining, its importance cannot be over emphasized, especially as the country

is one of the most active economically in West Africa. From a low point in the1970s and 1980s

the share of construction in the GDP has moved up from 4.5% in 1975 to 8.5% by the turn of the

century and has been doing about the same levels since. The sector grew by 10% in 2008 but

registered a negative growth rate of 1% in 2009 due to the global economic recession

(www.natcomreport.com/ghana/livre/construction).

The key stakeholders in the construction industry in Ghana are clients, professional consultants

and contractors (Gyadu-Asiedu, 2009).

The Ghanaian building construction firms comprises of a large number of enterprises of various

sizes as registered and categorised by the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing

(MWRW&H) as D1K1, D2K2, D3K3 and D4K4. Based on factors such as annual turnover,

equipment holding, personnel, the D1K1 class of contractors are termed as larger firms, where as

D2K2 construction firms are medium and D3K3 and D4K4 are small firms (Edmonds et al,

1984). The larger firms, according to MWRW&H are registered as financial class 1, capable of

undertaking projects of any value, class 2 (the medium firms) are capable of undertaking projects

up to US$500,000 or GH¢750,000.00, while the small firms (financial class 3) are also capable

of undertaking projects up to US$200,000 or GH¢ 300,000.00 or class 4 to undertake projects up

to US$75,000 or GH¢112,500.00 Egmond et al (2007) reported that, the large and medium

Ghanaian construction firms forms about 10% of the total number of construction firms

registered with the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing. These firms, according to

Egmond et al (2007) do not have the appropriate technological capabilities, plant and equipment

and key personnel to handle awarded projects properly and the evidence is by the fact that the

nation’s major construction projects are awarded to the very few large foreign contractors. The

remaining 90% are the small firms or small contractors of which in 1999, their total number was

7095. As indicated earlier on these small firms engage in simple construction work with contract

sum not exceeding US$ 200,000 or GH¢300,000.00 in public jobs, and their total construction

output ranges between 10% and 20% as compared to large and medium firms. Egmond et al

(2007) suggest, that the proprietors of these small firms have little or no knowledge in the

building construction industry and their perception about industry is a money making business

and the only requirement is your financial ability. From this perception, it is possible that

management of these small firms do not really pay attention to labour resource management

which is one the key factor for performance and growth of a firm (Mitullah et al 2003). In terms

of occupational health and safety (OHS) in the construction industry, Kheni (2008) found,

owners or managers of most construction firm have little or no knowledge of the legal frame

work governing OHS. Earlier indication from Danso (2005), is that most firms in the

construction sector in Ghana do not have safety policy and had poor safety awareness. Writing in

similar vein, Quarm (2000) suggests that most building construction firms in Ghana, in terms of

organizing, do not have safety department and safety representative from the government on site

to deal with safety related issues. Further, Fugar (2009) asserted, most of the construction firms

do not have Human Resource Management (HRM) departments together with its associated

health and safety personnel to also deal with safety issues. This has led the owners /managers

and operational managers to perform health and safety personnels functions without any

specialist input. The management and the operations of these large, medium and small firms are

different, however one of the similarities that exist between them is the employment of casual

workers, who play a vital role in the process of economic growth and development of a country

(ILO, 2003).

HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

The construction industry, according to Anaman et al (2007) adopted from Lange and Mills

(1979), is defined as a group of firms with closely related activities involved in the construction

of real estates, building, private and public infrastructure. It also deals with all economic

activities directed to the creation, renovation, repairs or extension of fixed assets in the form of

buildings, land improvements of an engineering nature and other such engineering constructions

such as roads, bridges, railways, ports, dams. In Ghana, Civil Engineering firms undertake some

of the aforementioned projects which involves heavily engineering characteristics such as

bridges, roads, railways and dams, while the Building Construction Firms (BCF) also undertake

projects such as the construction of schools, hospitals, health centres, hotels, offices. BCF also

undertakes external works which sometimes involved “simple” engineering construction such as

drive ways.

HEALTH AND SAFETY ON CONSTRUCTION SITES IN GHANA

According to a paper presented at RICS COBRA Conference by

Samuel Laryea School of Construction Management and Engineering, University of Reading

Sarfo Mensah Department of Building Technology, Kumasi Polytechnic

The state of health and safety on construction sites in Ghana was investigated using first hand

observation of fourteen (14) construction project sites in 2009 and 2010. At each site, the

construction project, workers and the physical environment of the site were inspected and

evaluated against health and safety indicators taken from the literature. The results reveal a poor

state of health and safety on Ghanaian construction sites. The primary reasons are a lack of

strong institutional framework for governing construction activities and poor enforcement of

health and safety policies and procedures. Also, Ghanaian society does not place a high premium

on health and safety of construction workers on site. Interviews with workers indicated that

injuries and accidents are common on sites. However, compensation for injury is often at the

discretion of the contractor although collective bargaining agreements between Labour unions

and employers prescribe obligations for the contractor in the event of injury to a worker.

Construction is widely regarded as an accident prone industry (as explained in a study of 100

individual construction accidents by Haslam et al., 2005 and a textbook on occupational health

and safety in construction project management by Lingard and Rowlinson, 2005). The reasons

construction is risky and prone to health and safety risks are because of the physical environment

of the work, nature of the construction work operations, construction methods, construction

materials, heavy equipment used, and physical properties of the construction project itself (see a

study on perceptions of 30 Latino American workers on construction risks by Menzel and

Gutierrez, 2010). There are statutory instruments and legislative frameworks in many developed

countries to govern construction operations on site and help in minimizing health and safety

hazards for example, The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (S.I.

2007/No. 320) Regulations on Health and Safety in the UK construction industry. However, the

characteristics of construction in developing countries are not the same as characteristics of

construction in developed countries (as explained in characteristics of construction projects in

developing countries by Jaselskis and Talukhaba, 1998).

Hence, Health and Safety policies and procedures may vary and needs to be contextualized.

The aim of this paper is to investigate the state of health and safety on construction sites in

Ghana based on a study of specific cases (construction sites). In 2000, the Labour Department

(2000: 22) reported that the construction industry in Ghana accounted for the highest rate of

occupational deaths in comparison to other industrial sectors. According to the Labour

Department (2000) report, 56 out of a total of 902 occupational accidents that occurred in

construction in the year 2000 were fatal. This paper aims to ascertain where the construction

industry in Ghana is in the context of international Health and Safety (H&S) standards and

practices on construction sites and make recommendations for taking H&S forward in the

construction industry in Ghana. Fourteen (14) construction sites in Ghana were visited in 2009

and 2010. The reason was to investigate a set of H&S indicators drawn from the literature

through visual observation of H&S practices and interviewing site officials and workers for

explanations of the things observed. The insight gained helped to make recommendations for

improving H&S within the construction sector in Ghana.

SITE HEALTH AND SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION

The main health and safety site requirements in construction relate to tidy sites and decent

welfare, falls from height, manual handling, and transport on site. Site operatives are normally

required to plan and organise their operations, ensure that they are trained and competent and

know the special risks of their trade and raise problems with their site supervisor or safety

representative (HSE, 2009). The main personal protective equipment (PPE) in construction

(including clothing affording protection against the weather) which is intended to be worn or

held by a person at work and which protects him against one or more risks to his health or safety.

PPE should be regarded as a ‘last resort’ when considering control measures. Other methods

should be considered and used that will reduce or eliminate risk to injury. However, where PPE

is the only effective means of controlling the risks of injury or ill health, then employers must

ensure that PPE is available. PPE should be worn at all construction sites. A typical construction

site may require workers to wear a hard hat, coveralls, safety footwear, gloves, eye protection

and high visibility vest. These must be provided to all employees.

CONSTRUCTION HEALTH AND SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES

Construction health and safety should be of primary concern to employers, employees,

governments and project participants (Kheni, 2008). Thus the main parties responsible for

construction health and safety are the client, main contractor, regulatory agencies and employees.

The main duties of construction parties is summarized in Table 2 and explained.

Health and safety duties of state and regulatory agencies: Government regulatory agencies often

enact regulations to help ensure that a construction project is safe to build, safe to use, and safe to

maintain and delivers you good value. Good health and safety planning also helps to ensure that

a project is well managed and that unexpected costs and problems are minimised. Health and

safety duties of employer: Clients have a big influence over how work is done. Where potential

health and safety risks are low, clients are required to do little. Where they are higher, clients

need to do more. Employers must assess the work being undertaken and the environment his

employees will operate in when determining the appropriate PPE to be worn.

CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS IN CONSTRUCTION

The Department for Work and Pensions in the UK commissioned a research into construction

health and safety practices to ascertain the underlying causes of construction fatal accidents in

the UK. The underlying causes of construction accidents identified were categorised under

societal and industry-wide influences (macro); project and process factors (mezzo) and

worker/supervisor/workplace causes (micro). The causes of construction accidents at the macro

level were identified to include immature corporate systems, inappropriate enforcement, lack of

proper accident data, lack of leadership from ‘Government’ as a key client and a lack of

influence of trades unions in practice on most sites, especially for smaller projects. Mezzo factors

were identified as immature project systems and

processes, inappropriate procurement and supply chain arrangements, lack of understanding and

engagement by some of the design community, lack of proper accident investigation/data and

consequently, a lack of organisational learning. Micro factors included a shortage of competent

supervisors; a lack of individual competency and understanding of workers and supervisors; the

ineffectiveness or lack of training and certification of competence; a lack of ownership,

engagement and empowerment of, communication with and responsibility for workers and

supervisors. These factors were also exacerbated by poor behaviour, cost pressures; poor

equipment or misuse of equipment, including personal protective equipment; site hazards; poor

employment practices; an itinerant workforce and inadequate management of and provision for

vulnerable workers such as younger, older or migrant workers. The study was based on an

international consultation with 15 overseas construction industry expert stakeholders;

phone/email interviews/consultation with 27 UK senior construction industry expert

stakeholders; in-depth face to face interviews with 15 practitioners from the UK construction

industry; and phone interviews with 15 workers representing the UK’s smaller

organisations/sole-traders (Brace et al., 2009).

HEALTH AND SAFETY PROBLEMS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES

There are health and safety problems on almost all construction sites which relate to reporting

accidents, employing and subcontracting. Employing: all personnel who are employed to carry

out construction work on site must be trained, competent and fit to do the job safely and without

putting their own or others’ health and safety at risk; properly supervised and given clear

instructions; have access to washing and toilet facilities; have the right tools, equipment, plant

and protective clothing; educated about health and safety issues with them (or their

representatives); have arrangements for employees’ health surveillance where required.

Accidents: all accidents or work-related illness should be reported to the appropriate authorities

within a reasonable or stipulated timeframe. Subcontracting: main contractors should ensure that

they check the health and safety performance of the subcontractors they plan to use; give

subcontractors the health and safety information they need for the work; talk about the work with

them before they start; make sure that you have provided everything agreed (e.g. safe scaffolds,

the right plant, access to welfare, etc); and check their performance and remedy shortcomings.

The study by Kheni (2008) on health and safety practices among construction SMEs in Ghana

revealed serious problems. The main problems identified by Kheni included lack of skilled

human resources, inadequate government support for regulatory institutions and inefficiency in

institutional frameworks responsible for health and safety standards. Another problem

highlighted was the significance of the Ghanaian socio-cultural value systems particularly, the

extended family system and traditional religious value systems in health and safety management

within Ghanaian construction SMEs. The research also provided insights into difficulties posed

by the internal environment of SMEs to the effective management of health and safety. Kheni

(2008) provides a broad understanding of health and safety in the construction sector in Ghana.

However, the following questions relating to the actual health and safety conditions on

construction sites in Ghana should be addressed:

1. Do construction workers in Ghana get a H&S induction on site hazards and rules? Or do

they have any knowledge in the health and safety

This research see to answer this question by visiting the various construction sites

2.4DEFINITIONSBefore a detailed discussion of health and safety issues can take place, some basis occupational

health and safety (OHS) definitions are required.

2.4.1HEALTHThe protection of the bodies and minds of people from illness resulting from the materials,

processes or procedures used in the workplace. (Source: Hughes and Ferrett, 2008). Thus

occupational health and safety (OHS) can be seen to concern the physical and mental well-being

of the individual at a place of work. Workplace in the construction industry is most often than

not referred to as construction site. Therefore, occupational health and safety issues become a

primary concern to governments, employers, employees, and project participants alike, as

construction activities are likely to adversely affect the health of both construction workers and

other persons on construction sites. (Danso, 2005)

2.4.2 SAFETYThe protection of people from physical injury. It is however knowing worth that, the borderline

between health and safety is ill-defined and the two words are normally used together to indicate

concern for the physical and mental well-being of the individual at the place of work. (Source:

Hughes and Ferrett, 2008).

2.4.3 WELFAREThe provision of facilities to maintain the health and well-being of individuals at the workplace.

These facilities include washing and sanitation arrangements, the provision of drinking water,

heating, lighting, accommodation for clothing, seating and rest rooms. First aid arrangements are

also considered a welfare facility. (Source: Hughes and Ferrett, 2008).

2.4.4 OCCUPATIONAL OR WORK-RELATED ILL HEALTHThis is concerned with those illness or physical and mental disorders that are either caused

triggered by workplace activities. Such conditions may be induced by the particular work activity

of the individual or by activities of others in the workplace. (Source: Hughes and Ferrett, 2008).

2.4.5 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONArrangements to cover those activities in the workplace which affect the environment and,

possibly, the health and safety of employees and others. Such activities include waste and

effluent disposal and atmospheric pollution. (Source: Hughes and Ferrett, 2008).

2.4.6 ACCIDENTDefined as unplanned event that results in injury or ill-health of people, or damage or loss of

properties, plant, materials or the environment or a loss of a business opportunity. Other

authorities defined an accident more narrowly by excluding events that do not involve injury or

ill-health. (Source: Hughes and Ferrett, 2008).

2.4.7 NEAR MISSThis is any incident that could have resulted in an accident. Knowledge of near misses is very

important since research has shown that, approximately, for every ten ‘near miss’ events at a

particular location in the workplace, a minor accident will occur. (Source: Hughes and Ferrett,

2008).

2.4.8 DANGEROUS OCCURRENCEThis is a near miss which could have led to serious injury or loss of life. Dangerous occurrences

are defined in the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995

(often known as RIDDOR) and are always reportable to the Enforcement Authorities. Example

includes the collapse of a scaffold or a crane or the failure of any passenger carrying equipment.

(Source: Hughes and Ferrett, 2008).

2.4.9 HAZARDA hazard is the potential of a substance, activity or process to cause harm. Hazards take many

forms including for example chemicals, electricity, and working from a ladder. A hazard can be

ranked relative to other hazards or to a possible level of danger. (Source: Hughes and Ferrett,

2008).

2.4.10 RISKA risk is the likelihood of a substance, activity or process to cause harm. (Source: Hughes and

Ferrett, 2008).

According to Hughes and Ferrett (2008) it is every important to distinguish between a hazard and

a risk. The two words often confused and activities such as construction works are called high

risk when they are high hazards.

Hughes and Ferrett (2008) further emphasized that almost anything may be a hazard, but may or

may not become a risk. For example, a failed light bulb is a hazard. If it is just one bulb out of

many in a room it presents very little risk, but if it is the only light on a stairwell, it is a very high

risk. Changing the bulb may be a high risk, if it is high up, or if the power has been left on, or

low risk if it is in a table lamp which has been unplugged.

Although the hazard will continue to be high, the risks will be reduced as controls are

implemented. The level of risk remaining when controls have been adopted is known as residual

risk. There should only be high residual risk when there is poor health and safety management

and inadequate control measures.

HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION

INDUSTRY.

The Ghanaian construction Industry, according to Anaman et al (2007) was the third largest

growing economic sector outstripping the manufacturing industry in 2004 with a constant GDP

growth of about 5.8 % from 2004 to 2005. Subsequently, the emergence of Ghana as an oil

producing country, the Ghanaian construction industry is projected to grow stronger at an

unprecedented rate of 13% (ISSER, 2008). However, it appears that the policy makers in Ghana

have different view about the industry and indication from Anaman et al (2007) is that Ghanaian

policy makers have not promoted the industry. This means that in the context of policies and

legislation, the Ghanaian construction industry have not developed well enough to have a

separate legislation like other developing countries (see for instance “The Construction Law of

the People’s Republic of China”, The Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1993 of South

Africa). Ghana depends only on the:

Labour Act, 2003(Act 651);

Factories, Offices and shop Act, 1970 (Act328);

Building Regulation; and

Workmen compensation Law1987 (PNDC 187)

For the purpose of achieving the objectives of the study (see chapter one), portions of The

Labour Act, 2003(Act 651) which deals with occupational health, safety and environment and

the Factories, Offices and shop Act, 1970 (Act 328) will be reviewed.

In the Ghanaian construction industry, for instance, the two main legislations regarding health

and safety on construction sites includes The Factories, Offices and Shops Act,1970 (Act 328)

and Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651). These acts spell out regulations to be followed by companies

regarding factories and labour respectively and it is very important that construction firms

comply with the regulations laid down in these acts.

DUTIES OF CONSTRUCTION SITE WORKERS IN ENSURING HEALTH AND

SAFETY

A ’worker’ is anyone who carries out work during the construction, alteration, maintenance or

demolition of a building or structure. A worker could be, for example, a plumber, electrician,

scaffolder, painter, decorator, steel erector, as well as those supervising the work, such as

foreman and charge hands. (Source:info@aga-ltd.co.uk)

All those who work in the construction industry have their part to play looking after their own

health and safety and in improving the industry’s health and safety record.

All employees or self-employed persons on construction sites should be better informed and

have the opportunity to be more involved in health and safety. (Source:info@aga-ltd.co.uk)

You can do this by:

(a) Ensuring you only carry out construction work you are competent to do.

(b) Reporting obvious risks

(c) Co-operating with others and co-ordinate work so as to ensure your own health and safety

and others who may be affected by the work. (Source:info@aga-ltd.co.uk)

Employees should be made aware of their responsibility to wear the PPE appropriately, take care

of equipment and report any defects. They should also be informed that if they do not wear or

misuse any PPE that has been appropriate issued that this could lead to disciplinary action. This

equipment is provided for their protection. (Laryea and Mensah, 2010).

According to Hughes and Ferrett (2008), employees are to take reasonable care for the health and

safety of themselves and others affected by their acts or omissions.

Hughes and Ferrett (2008), further emphasised that the duties of Employers and Employees

regarding Health and Safety are embodied in three clauses

1. It is the duty of every employer to ensure the health and safety at work of all employees.

2. It is the duty of every employer and self employed person to conduct his undertaking in

such a way as to ensure that persons not in his employment are not exposed to risks to

their health and safety.

3. It is the duty of every employee while at work to take reasonable care for the health and

safety of him/her and of other persons and to co-operate with his/her employer on matters

concerning health and safety.

The duties of an employee with regards to the Labour Act, 2003, Act 651 includes

Section 11- Duties of Workers.

Without prejudice to the provisions of this Act, the duties of a worker in any contract of

employment or collective agreement, include the duty to

(a) Work conscientiously in the lawfully chosen occupation;

(b) Report for work regularly and punctually;

(c) Enhance productivity;

(d) Exercise due care in the execution of assigned work;

(e) Obey lawful instructions regarding the organisation and execution of his or her work;

(f) Take all reasonable care for the safety and health of fellow workers;

(g) Protect the interests of the employer; and

(h) Take proper care of the property of the employer entrusted to the worker or under the immediate control of the worker. (Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651)).

HEALTH AND SAFETY PROBLEMS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES

There are health and safety problems on almost all construction sites which relate to reporting

accidents, employing and subcontracting. Employing: all personnel who are employed to carry

out construction work on site must be trained, competent and fit to do the job safely and without

putting their own or others’ health and safety at risk; properly supervised and given clear

instructions; have access to washing and toilet facilities; have the right tools, equipment, plant

and protective clothing; educated about health and safety issues with them (or their

representatives); have arrangements for employees’ health surveillance where required.

Accidents: all accidents or work-related illness should be reported to the appropriate authorities

within a reasonable or stipulated timeframe. Subcontracting: main contractors should ensure that

they check the health and safety performance of the subcontractors they plan to use; give

subcontractors the health and safety information they need for the work; talk about the work with

them before they start; make sure that you have provided everything agreed (e.g. safe scaffolds,

the right plant, access to welfare, etc); and check their performance and remedy shortcomings.

THE CONSTRUCTION WORK SITE

The construction work site is often a chaotic place with an incredibly high amount of action

taking place. Workers and machines move about with everyone focused on the task at hand. In

such an environment, construction accidents can and do take place. The reasons, construction is

risky and prone to health and safety risks are because of the physical environment of the work,

nature of the construction work operations, construction methods, construction materials, heavy

equipment used, and physical properties of the construction project itself (Menzel and Gutierrez,

2010). On the construction site the major health and safety issues are the welfare facilities and

the use of personal protective equipment to prevent injuries on site. Welfare facilities needed on

the construction site include;

Sanitary Facilities

The Sanitary facilities are defined to include toilet, privies, chemical closet which should be

provided at construction site. The law also makes us aware that no toilet other than a water flush

toilet should be installed in any building containing sleeping, eating or other living

accommodation and should be adequately ventilated and not open directly into occupied rooms.

Adequate washing facilities should be provided as near as practicable to toilet facilities.

Washing facilities

Washing facilities such as shower-bath should be on site. Washing facilities should not be used

for any other purpose and where workers are likely to be exposed to skin contamination by

poisonous, infectious or irritating substances, or oil, grease or dust, there should be a sufficient

number of appropriate washing facilities or shower-baths supplied with hot and cold water.

Cloakrooms

A cloakroom, or sometimes referred to as coatroom, is defined a room where coats and other

articles may be left temporarily (Harris, 2005). Cloakrooms should be provided on site and

should be accessible to all workers with suitable facilities for dying wet clothes and for hanging

clothing.

Drinking Water

Drinking water should be on enough on site for all workers and should be treated. Where such

water is not available, the authorities should ensure that the necessary steps are taken to make

any water to be used for drinking fit for human consumptions. Drinking water for should be

stored in closed containers only, from which the water should be dispensed through taps or

cocks. Water that is unfit to drink should be conspicuously indicated by notices prohibiting

workers from drinking it. A supply of drinking water should never be connected to a supply of

water that is unfit to drink.

Facilities for food and drink

Depending on the number of workers, the duration of the work and its location, adequate

facilities for obtaining or preparing food and drink at or near a construction site should be

provided, if not otherwise available. The facilities should be hygienic and located in hygienic

environment.

Living Accommodation

Suitable living accommodation should be made available for all the workers at construction sites

which are remote from their homes. Adequate transportation between the site and their homes

should be provided, and where this is not possible other suitable living accommodation should be

provided. Men and women workers should be provided with separate sanitary, washing and

sleeping facilities.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective on site will include;

1. Safety helmets or hard hats to protect the head from injury due to falling or flying objects, or

due to striking against objects or structures.

2. Clear or coloured goggles, a screen, a face shield or other suitable device where workers are

likely to be exposed to eye or face injury from airborne dust or flying particles, dangerous

substances, harmful heat, light or other radiation, and in particular during welding, flame cutting,

rock drilling, concrete mixing or other hazardous work.

3. Protective gloves or gauntlets, appropriate barrier creams and suitable protective clothing to

protect hands or the whole body as required, against heat radiation or while handling hot,

hazardous or other substances which might cause injury to the skin.

4. Footwear of an appropriate type when employed at places where there is the likelihood of

exposure to adverse weather conditions, or of injury from falling or crushing objects, hot or

hazardous substances, sharp-edged tools or nails and slippery or ice- covered surfaces.

5. Respiratory protective equipment, suitable for a particular environment, where workers can be

protected against airborne dust, fumes, vapours or gases by ventilation or other means.

6. Respirators, overalls, head coverings, gloves, tight-fitting boiler suits, impermeable footwear

and aprons appropriate to the risks of radioactive contamination in areas where unsealed

radioactive sources are prepared or used.

7. Waterproof clothing and head coverings when working in adverse weather conditions.