Health and safety performance in the Ugandan construction industry

Abstract

The construction industry is possibly the most hazardous industry with regard to the health and safety (HaS) of workers. In Uganda, there has been poor management of HaS at construction sites and, as a result, the industry registers increased frequencies of safety incidents. These incidents have led to loss of lives, injuries, damage to property and equipment, reduced productivity and loss of revenue, amongst other pitfalls . Unfortunately, these HaS incidents are reported after the occurrence and do not show preventive measures undertaken. The aim of this study was to analyse the HaS performance in Uganda’s construction industry in order to propose measures for effective preventive management. Construction firms that had active construction projects within the Kampala, Mukono and Wakiso Districts during the study period were assessed. The data on performance were collected using questionnaires and observation checklists. Data on accident records were collected using documented accident reports. The results showed that contracting firms were generally aware of the need to uphold good HaS practices, but that only 35% of the HaS programmes were implemented at a good level or above. On average, 40% of the construction site practices were generally unsafe. Objectively, HaS performance was characterised by a high accident injury rate (20.2), non-fatal injury rate (18.2) and fatal injury rate (2.0) per 100 equivalent full-time workers (EFTW). The Ugandan government should incorporate the identified 17 HaS programmes into a formal regulation and strengthen the laws governing HaS in the construction industry. Construction firms should train their workers on HaS requirements in order to improve their HaS regimes.