Impacts of accidents and hazards on the Ghanaian construction industry

This paper explored the impacts of accidents and hazards on the Ghanaian construction industry (GCI). The qualitative research strategy was adopted, using in-depth face to face interviews. Participants were seven each of Contractors and Consultants using data saturation to limit the number, through purposive sampling technique. Data were analyzed using content analysis technique. The most critical impacts of accidents and hazards on the GCI were identified as slow-down of work, increase in cost of project and poor performance of work. The findings of the study provide knowledge on impacts of accidents and hazards to stakeholders of the GCI and the government in general. Serious steps should be taken by stakeholders to enforce construction health and safety (CHS) practices on construction sites to reduce the high frequency rate of accidents and injuries and the high incidence rate in the GCI. The courts should be encouraged to impose fair and adequate compensation on employers and occasionally punitive or exemplary damages to deter and prevent occurrence of accidents and hazards at construction sites. CHS-related issues have to be given the needed research and academic attention in order to reduce accidents and hazards on sites.