Abstract
A positive safety culture requires participation of all stakeholders in construction industry, and is shown through the safety-related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, behaviour and practices of each worker. Therefore, the study is investigating the hindrances in the implementation of occupational health and safety (OHS) among small medium enterprises (SME’S) in the construction industry in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. A structured questionnaire was distributed to different construction companies and construction workers. From the 70 questionnaires distributed, 42 were brought back and they were all valid and usable. Findings from the survey results obtained from the chosen respondents revealed health safety was known and practiced, however, there are hindrances in the implementation such as poor regular inspections and audits, poor management, poor supervision, lack of material and components, lack of management commitment, equipment and tools, poor communication between workers, poor employers involvement, lack of training and risk education to name a few were the major hindrance in the implementation of occupational health and safety among SME’s. Furthermore, if the challenges could be addressed appropriate and effectively result could manifest such as increased productivity; improve quality work; contractors growth and reduced claims; reduced accidents; reduced rework; improved schedule performance. Management and leadership at all levels are therefore encourage to improve construction OH&S in South Africa among SME’s. Moreover, occupational health and safety of the workers is not negotiable, is all pervasive, increases productivity, and leads to better performance, improve the company image, reduced claims and accidents also reduce lost times spent on injuries. The concept of OHS implementation must be emphasized by the client and the consulting team by way of having occasional not once off, a major workshop to be held three times in a year, to increase the awareness and the seriousness of the implementation of OHS.