Musonda, I and Smallwood, J (2008) Health and safety (H&S) awareness and implementation in botswana's construction industry. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 6(1), pp. 81-90. ISSN 1726-0531
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present findings of research on the level of health and safety (H&S) awareness and implementation in Botswana's construction industry. Design/methodology/approach: A questionnaire survey was conducted on construction projects to establish the level of awareness and implementation of construction H&S. Physical observations were also conducted on construction sites in order to relate questionnaire responses to what actually obtained on construction sites. The study was limited to Gaborone and the immediate surrounding areas. Findings: Findings from the research reveal that the level of H&S awareness is low, H&S legislation is not complied with, the management of contractors is not committed to H&S implementation, there is a lack of H&S management systems, procedures, and protocol, and clients and designers do not participate in the implementation of H&S. Originality/value: The importance of construction H&S has been recognised by various researchers. This paper provides an insight on the level of awareness and implementation of H&S in Botswana's construction industry and should be viewed in the context of an effort to improve H&S.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Botswana; health and safety |
| Index terms: | Botswana, designer, construction industry, implementation, construction site, survey, legislation, health and safety, management system, methodology, construction project, questionnaire |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, profession, legal systems, contractual arrangements, work location, production management, health safety and environment, Geography, management, research methods, industry analysis |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Procurement, Health and Safety, Geographical Context, Project Management, Research Practice, Site Management, Organizational Design, Legal Issues |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here