Framework for Improving Construction Health and Safety on Ghanaian Construction Sites

Abstract

The enormity of the problem of construction accidents and hazards in the Ghanaian construction industry (GCI) calls for the need to engage in relevant research to equip stakeholders with the required knowledge to improve construction health and safety (CHS) and reduce site accidents and hazards. The complexity of the problem of accident causation explains a large number of conceptual models developed to aid the understanding of the dynamics involved in CHS. This paper involved a qualitative study to identify causes of accidents and hazards in the GCI and underlying issues requiring remedying and also a desk study to review Health and Safety related theories and concepts from extant literature to explain and contribute to the improvement of CHS. The paper contributes to the use of theories to advance studies on improving health and safety at construction sites, especially in developing countries like Ghana, where such studies have so far attracted little attention. The framework may enable construction stakeholders to easily identify problem areas on site and apply required improvement measures to create a healthier and safer construction site. The findings may provide useful knowledge to improve CHS and reduce site accidents and hazards, and also provide a multi-theory approach for understanding the dynamics of the complexity of the problems involved in CHS.