Abstract:
Construction site accidents constitute a major source of hindrance to productivity on
construction sites globally. Many construction site accidents happen as a result of
unsafe behaviors of construction site operatives. Arguably, controlling or managing the
attitudes of construction site operatives could enhance the health and safety
performance of construction sites. The aim of the study was to to explore the
relationship between site operatives’ attitudes on health and safety performance of
project sites in Northern Region of Ghana. The specific objectives of the study include;
to assess the health and safety attitudes of construction site operatives on construction
site in Northern Region of Ghana, to identify the critical determinants of health and
safety performance of construction project sites in Northern Region of Ghana in relation
to attitudes of operatives, to assess the influence, if any, of health and safety attitudes
of site operatives on health and safety performance of construction project sites in
Northern Region of Ghana, and to make recommendations based on the findings of the
study for improving health and safety performance of construction project sites in
Northern Region of Ghana. The study employed a cross sectional survey design and a
quantitative strategy. The target population comprised site managers and construction
site operatives. Purposive sampling technique was employed to select experienced site
managers and literate tradesmen who could read, understand, and respond to survey
questions. The response rate achieved was 83%. The findings of the study revealed that
the key health and safety attitudes of site operatives on project sites in the Northern
Region include; willingness to identify hazards that could lead to accidents, reluctance
to work during holidays and week-ends, developing hatred for management when they
are either sick or hungry and willingness to participate in health and safety training. The
study revealed that the critical determinants of health and safety performance in
relations to attitudes of construction site operatives in Northern region included;
effective communication, provision of adequate protective clothing, regular and
periodic training, education and awareness creation and good cordial working
relationship between management and workers. The findings of the study suggest that
the health and safety attitude of construction site operatives significantly correlates with
health and safety performance of construction sites. Based on the findings, the study
has made recommendations for improving health and safety performance of project
site
Description:
A Dissertation submitted to 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 fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Master of
Philosophy (Construction Management) degree.
