Identifying labour risks on building sites in Gauteng

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify the major risks faced by the semi-skilled labourers on building sites in Gauteng and make recommendations to mitigate the adverse impact thereof. The semi-skilled labourers are the set of construction workers that are more prone to risks especially fall from height which is basically the motive of this study. A labour risk in building industry is one of the issues that cannot be envisaged at the commencement of the project. Accident involving semiskilled labour on site might be caused by not providing PPE to the workers on site or worker not using the PPE provided for their safety, poor erection of scaffold or ladders used on site which mostly exposed the worker to fall risk that can be identified as safety risk. The research methodology consists of personal interview and observations, targeted workers that this study will focus on are semi-skilled labour. In phase two, workers pictures are taken while going about their expected duties on site. Data was analysed and integrated with the literature study, attention was given to the provision of PPE, as to forestall workers fall from height with employment of competent personnel which will enforce compliance of safety rules on site.