Abstract:
Globally, governments have a shared responsibility for the management of occupational
health and safety (OHS). In recognition of this responsibility, governments enact OHS laws
with the prime objective of controlling occupational health and safety risks. The aim of the
study was to explore under-reporting of OHS accidents by employees and employers in the
construction industry in Ghana. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design with a
mixed methods research strategy involving the administration of questionnaires and semistructured
interviews. A sample size of 250 involving site managers and operatives was
used. Descriptive statistics, and LISREL factor analysis and multiple linear regression
were used. The findings revealed that, job security, workers’ attitude, education and
training, blame culture, interpersonal relationships, poor safety culture, lack of
management commitment, poor communication, and company’s goal contribute
significantly to under-reporting of OHS accidents within the construction firms. Their
mean scores exceeded the significant mean level of 4.0. The study also identified education
and training, environment, politics/government, legal/regulations and socio-cultural
practices as factors that influence under-reporting of accidents on construction sites to
statutory authorities. Their mean scores were greater than the significant mean level of 4.0.
It was established that temporary employment, lack of financial and management
resources, lack of knowledge of health and safety issues, lack of human resource personnel,
bureaucratic procedures, poor safety culture of companies, language barrier, and workload
of workers are critical constraints to reporting of accidents. The study recommends that
management of construction firms should always organise safety inductions, training and
performance programmes for operatives, particularly casual and temporary workforce.
Description:
A Thesis in the Department of CONSTRUCTION AND WOOD TECHNOLOGY
EDUCATION, Faculty of TECHNICAL EDUCATION, submitted to the School of
Graduate Studies, University of Education, Winneba in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the award of Master of Philosophy (Construction Technology)
degree.
JULY, 2019