An Examination of Occupational Health and Safety Management Practices in Selected Construction Sites of Lusaka City
- July 31, 2021
- Posted by: rsispostadmin
- Categories: IJRISS, Social Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue VII, July 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186
Kaiko Mubita, Joshua Mutambo and Carol Kahale
School of Education, University of Zambia
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate occupational health and safety management (OSH) practices in selected construction sites of Lusaka city. The study was guided by the following objectives: to identify safety and health hazards in selected construction sites of Lusaka city, to examine challenges that workers face in terms of occupation health and safety management in selected construction sites of Lusaka city, to ascertain occupational health and safety management measures put in place in selected construction sites of Lusaka district, and to suggest sustainable mitigation measures that could be put in place to improve occupational health and safety management practices in construction sites of Lusaka city. Semi-structured interviews and observations were conducted with 30 participants which comprised 7 employers, 4 sub-contractors and 19 employees. The findings of the study showed that workers in selected construction sites of Lusaka city faced many challenges with occupational health and safety management which negatively affected the way they worked. Most participants explained the challenges they faced such as communication barrier, lack of safety officers, lack of sanitary conveniences, inadequate proper personal protective equipment and lack of safety rules and regulations adherence by workers. The study concluded that occupational health and safety management practices at selected construction sites of Lusaka city were poor and this brought about injuries among workers. OSH management practices at sites would be more effective if government inspected construction sites and assessed if they were complying with safety and health rules and regulations.
Key words: Occupation health and safety, construction site, Lusaka city
1.INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Construction is an important sector that contributes greatly in the economic growth of every nation. The construction sector provides job opportunities and contributes to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of every nation. It creates jobs, drives economic growth, and provides solutions for social, political, climatic and energy challenges. The growth of the construction industry also creates investment opportunities across related sectors.
Like any other country, the construction sector also plays an important role in the economic development of Zambia. According to the Times of Zambia of 26th January, 2016, building and construction has been the largest industrial sector of Zambia comprising 27.5 per cent of the Growth Domestic Product (GDP) with a growth rate of 12 per cent in 2014.
The construction sector in Zambia has in the recent past recorded massive growth due to the increase in development projects initiated by the government and the private sector.
