Abstract
This paper explored stakeholders’ compliance with existing laws and regulations related to construction health and safety (CHS) in the Ghanaian construction industry (GCI). Qualitative research approach was adopted for the data collection, using semi-structured interview guide. An in-depth face-to-face interview based on the grounded theory approach was conducted with actors who play important roles in ensuring health and safety at the construction site as well as key officers and professionals who are the major stakeholders in the GCI. Content analysis was adopted for the analysis of the qualitative data. The findings of the study show customary laws, bye laws, Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) and the contract document as the key existing CHS related laws and regulations that the stakeholders comply with. The stakeholders also identified the following construction health and safety related regulations in the GCI which have low compliance rate: Factories, Shops and Offices Act, 1974 (Act 323), Environmental Protection Act, 1994 (Act 490), among others. The findings of the research contribute to knowledge of stakeholders’ compliance with existing laws and regulations related to CHS, and underscore the need to ensure monitoring and enforce compliance in the GCI. The findings further identify areas for stakeholders to focus attention on ensuring good health and safety practices, and also expose critical training and education needs for stakeholders in the GCI. The findings provide valuable insights on stakeholders’ compliance with laws and regulations related to CHS in Ghana, which may be applicable to other developing countries with similar construction industry.
Highlights
Construction activities pose serious health and safety risks to construction professionals, construction workers, users of the constructed facility and the general public [1] [2] [3]
An in-depth face-to-face interview based on the grounded theory approach was conducted with actors who play important roles in ensuring health and safety at the construction site as well as key officers and professionals who are the major stakeholders in the Ghanaian construction industry (GCI)
In relation to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), regulation, according to Eyiah et al [5] refers to laws or rules that have their origin in the legislative arm of government which seeks to effectively manage OHS issues that negatively impact on persons whether employed or not
Summary
Construction activities pose serious health and safety risks to construction professionals, construction workers, users of the constructed facility and the general public [1] [2] [3]. In this regard, laws and regulations have been developed to guide the management of health and safety in the construction industry. Given the serious health risks to construction professionals, construction workers, users of the constructed facility and the general public, health and safety have received a lot of attention in the construction industry for the past decade [1] [4].
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