A study into workers’ involvement in health and safety decision making_ a case study of D1K1 and D2K2 contractors in Asutifi north and south districts

Abstract

It is important that construction site workers are involved in health and safety decision making since they are physically and psychologically affected by accidents on construction sites. The aim of this research was to examine construction site workers’ direct or indirect involvement in health and safety decision making in some selected Districts (Asutifi North and South) from the perspective of D1K1 and D2K2 contractors. A quantitative research strategy was adopted using a deductive approach. The target population of the study was made up of construction site workers employed by D1K1 and D2K2 category of construction companies in Asutifi North and South District Assemblies. Purposive sampling (Non-Probability) technique was used to select the respondents. Questionnaire was the main instrument used to gather primary data. Data collected for the study was analysed with the Version 16 of the Statistical Package for Social sciences (SPSS). The findings of the study showed that the ways in which construction site workers are directly or indirectly involved in health and safety matters included; suggestions and opinions of the workforce being inculcated in the overall health and safety management systems in most of the companies, and that they were allowed to make suggestions that sought to improve upon their own safety on site. Management was also seen as showing greater commitment of involving workers by coming out with Involvement Programmes to ensure a sustainable involvement in health and safety management in some companies. Overall, the level of involvement of workers in health and safety matters was consistent with their awareness about health and safety issues, Specifically, the study found that level of awareness of workers in health and safety issues relating to the work environment was commendable in the sense that, they could tell some of the basic provisions in the regulations regarding health and safety in the country. In relation to that, they were not afraid to be victimised by management when there was the need to raise issues against management about certain health and safety decisions, which in the workers’ opinion could affect their operations negatively in one way or the other. Even though workers may possess limited knowledge in health and safety on site, they nevertheless could express satisfaction or otherwise when certain decisions by management would affect them eventually. Based on the stated findings, the study has made recommendations towards greater involvement of workers in health and safety management in D1K1 and D2K2 construction firms in the study districts.