The impact of health and safety practises on productivity on construction sites. A case study of selected construction firms in the Akuapem North municipality

Abstract

This research dealt with health and safety issues in construction industry in the Akuapem North Municipality in eastern region. The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of health and safety practices on construction site. To understand this concept, background of the study and the stated problems of the study were dealt with. This emphasized that health and safety issues have always been a major problem and concern in the Ghanaian construction industries. Efforts have been made to address this problem but the results have been far from satisfactory. The study used qualitative research approach for data gathering to obtain the needed information for the study. Random sampling procedure was used to select the sample size .The sample size was made up of 139 people who are directly affected by the health and safety issues in the construction site. Questionnaires were designed distributed to potential construction industry prayers such as contractors, consultants and health experts to determine the health and safety measures applied on construction sites. Other instruments like interviews and questionnaires were carried out with selected artisans and supervisors. This is specifically; it investigates the safety perceptions, attitudes and behaviour of construction workers and management safety practices. Based upon the results and discussions of the study, this study has demonstrated that the majorities of construction companies in Ghana have a poor degree of risk awareness and do not take health and safety as an important issue. From the study findings it was concluded among others that employees feel secured and protected when there is proper health and safety policies in the organisation by management. The study recommended among others that the management of the construction firms should organize in-service training programmes to educate the workers regarding health and safety issued and its impacts on workers productivity.