EMPIRICAL STUDY OF COMPLIANCE WITH OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY LEGISLATION: A CASE STUDY OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITE

Abstract

In general, the construction industry is one of the world’s occupational settings that has high incidents of fatalities and injury rates. Developing countries, Ghana inclusive are faced with much more challenges to effective management of occupational health and safety due to the increasing rate of industrialization and weak occupational health and safety framework. The study aims to examine compliance with occupational health and safety legislation in construction sites in Ghana. The study adopted a quantitative research strategy. Two hundred and one (201) members of construction companies and One hundred and forty-three (143) officers of Regulatory Institutions (RIs) responded to the questionnaires distributed. The findings indicated that construction companies had achieved improved H&S standards compliance because; employees use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) effectively, construction companies allow labour interactions, observe H&S provisions in contract conditions and other relevant safety regulations, control noxious or offensive and highly flammable substances on site. It is recommended that the government adequately resourced Regulatory Institutions (RIs) to effectively carry out their mandate to significantly reduce risk and accidents on construction sites. Keywords: Health and Safety, Construction, Compliance, Accidents, Ghana.