Client attitude to health and safety – a report on contractor’s perceptions
- Musonda, Innocent, Haupt, Theo, Smallwood, John
- Authors: Musonda, Innocent , Haupt, Theo , Smallwood, John
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Attitude , Botswana , Client , Construction , Health and safety
- Language: English
- Type: Journal article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/32882 , uj:16232 , Citation: Musonda, I., Haupt, T., & Smallwood, J.J. (2009). Client attitude to health and safety – a report on contractor’s perceptions. Acta Structilia : journal for the physical and development science 16(2):65-85. ISSN 10230564
- Description: Abstract: The purpose of this article is to present findings of a preliminary survey on Contractors’ perceptions of clients’ attitude relative to health and safety (H&S) implementation in Botswana’s construction industry and in a way that of the Southern Africa. A questionnaire survey was conducted on construction projects to establish clients’ attitude towards H&S. Interviews were also conducted with contractor’s representatives on selected construction sites in and around Gaborone, Botswana. Findings from the survey include: clients do not perceive H&S to be very important on construction projects, most clients do not address H&S adequately in contract documentation and H&S is rarely a major agenda item in progress meetings. Findings were also that clients are not fully committed to H&S implementation. The client sets the tone for H&S culture. Client attitude is therefore very important for H&S performance improvement as all stakeholders are compelled to act in line with the client’s values. The importance of the client to H&S performance improvement has been recognised by various researchers. The extent to which clients are involved in H&S implementation has however not been researched extensively especially in Southern Africa. This article therefore provides an insight into the clients’ attitude towards H&S and in a way explains the reason for the current state of H&S in Botswana’s construction industry.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Musonda, Innocent , Haupt, Theo , Smallwood, John
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Attitude , Botswana , Client , Construction , Health and safety
- Language: English
- Type: Journal article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/32882 , uj:16232 , Citation: Musonda, I., Haupt, T., & Smallwood, J.J. (2009). Client attitude to health and safety – a report on contractor’s perceptions. Acta Structilia : journal for the physical and development science 16(2):65-85. ISSN 10230564
- Description: Abstract: The purpose of this article is to present findings of a preliminary survey on Contractors’ perceptions of clients’ attitude relative to health and safety (H&S) implementation in Botswana’s construction industry and in a way that of the Southern Africa. A questionnaire survey was conducted on construction projects to establish clients’ attitude towards H&S. Interviews were also conducted with contractor’s representatives on selected construction sites in and around Gaborone, Botswana. Findings from the survey include: clients do not perceive H&S to be very important on construction projects, most clients do not address H&S adequately in contract documentation and H&S is rarely a major agenda item in progress meetings. Findings were also that clients are not fully committed to H&S implementation. The client sets the tone for H&S culture. Client attitude is therefore very important for H&S performance improvement as all stakeholders are compelled to act in line with the client’s values. The importance of the client to H&S performance improvement has been recognised by various researchers. The extent to which clients are involved in H&S implementation has however not been researched extensively especially in Southern Africa. This article therefore provides an insight into the clients’ attitude towards H&S and in a way explains the reason for the current state of H&S in Botswana’s construction industry.
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Collaboration as a strategy of student-centered learning in construction technology
- Agumba, Justus N., Haupt, Theo
- Authors: Agumba, Justus N. , Haupt, Theo
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Student centered learning , Student collaboration , Group work in education , Construction technology - Study and teaching
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:4991 , ISSN 978-0-620-60356-0 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13126
- Description: Purpose: Student centered learning has been deemed to be a catalyst for students to generate knowledge in different disciplines in comparison to lecturer/teacher centered learning process. The main objective of this paper was to observe the collaboration of students towards learning construction technology 3 at a South African University via group work. Research methodology: Observation was undertaken as a means of gathering data during construction technology group work/assignment presentation. A total of ten groups were formed from the class register. A common group work was posted to the students via their ulink, an online technology for lecturers to communicate academic information with students at this university. The information consisted of students’ instructions, the questions, date and venue for the presentation. Findings: The students asked questions to the groups that had presented their group work. Furthermore, working in groups led to class involvement of the students. Limitations: The use of observation in this study was a limitation. Practical implication: This research study provides the basis of understanding that collaboration via group work would influence the students to be involved in their academic work. Value: The findings indicate that students were involved in learning as they asked questions after the group discussions. However, the strategy is time consuming especially with large classes.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Agumba, Justus N. , Haupt, Theo
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Student centered learning , Student collaboration , Group work in education , Construction technology - Study and teaching
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:4991 , ISSN 978-0-620-60356-0 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13126
- Description: Purpose: Student centered learning has been deemed to be a catalyst for students to generate knowledge in different disciplines in comparison to lecturer/teacher centered learning process. The main objective of this paper was to observe the collaboration of students towards learning construction technology 3 at a South African University via group work. Research methodology: Observation was undertaken as a means of gathering data during construction technology group work/assignment presentation. A total of ten groups were formed from the class register. A common group work was posted to the students via their ulink, an online technology for lecturers to communicate academic information with students at this university. The information consisted of students’ instructions, the questions, date and venue for the presentation. Findings: The students asked questions to the groups that had presented their group work. Furthermore, working in groups led to class involvement of the students. Limitations: The use of observation in this study was a limitation. Practical implication: This research study provides the basis of understanding that collaboration via group work would influence the students to be involved in their academic work. Value: The findings indicate that students were involved in learning as they asked questions after the group discussions. However, the strategy is time consuming especially with large classes.
- Full Text: false
Construction health and safety culture in South Africa small and medium enterprises
- Authors: Agumba,N.J , Haupt, Theo
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Construction industry , Health and safety culture , Small and medium
- Language: English
- Type: Conference Proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/17126 , uj:15849 , ISBN 978-0-620-41382-4 , Agumba, N.J. & Haupt, T. 2008. Perceptions of construction health and safety performance improvement enablers, Proceeding of Association of Schools of Construction of Southern Africa (ASOCSA) 3rd Built Environment Conference. Westin Grand, Cape Town, South Africa. 6th–8th July 2008 pp184-200;
- Description: Abstract: Please refer to full text to view abstract
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Agumba,N.J , Haupt, Theo
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Construction industry , Health and safety culture , Small and medium
- Language: English
- Type: Conference Proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/17126 , uj:15849 , ISBN 978-0-620-41382-4 , Agumba, N.J. & Haupt, T. 2008. Perceptions of construction health and safety performance improvement enablers, Proceeding of Association of Schools of Construction of Southern Africa (ASOCSA) 3rd Built Environment Conference. Westin Grand, Cape Town, South Africa. 6th–8th July 2008 pp184-200;
- Description: Abstract: Please refer to full text to view abstract
- Full Text: false
Construction health and safety culture in South African small and medium enterprises
- Agumba, Justus N., Haupt, Theo
- Authors: Agumba, Justus N. , Haupt, Theo
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Construction health and safety , Construction industry , Small business
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5307 , ISSN 978-0-62043702-8 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5293
- Description: Construction health and safety (H&S) culture in small and medium construction enterprises (SMEs) has received little attention in South Africa, in terms of either research or support for preventive initiatives. Previous research suggests that this sector has serious problems exacerbated by limited access to human, economic and technological resources. Moreover it is now recognized that methods developed specifically for large firms cannot necessarily be transferred to smaller and medium firms, hence the need to investigate the H&S culture in SMEs. This exploratory study is based on descriptive survey using semi-structured and structured questionnaire, and non-probability sampling to give an overview of the characteristics of H&S culture and practices in SMEs firms in the South African construction industry.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Agumba, Justus N. , Haupt, Theo
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Construction health and safety , Construction industry , Small business
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5307 , ISSN 978-0-62043702-8 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5293
- Description: Construction health and safety (H&S) culture in small and medium construction enterprises (SMEs) has received little attention in South Africa, in terms of either research or support for preventive initiatives. Previous research suggests that this sector has serious problems exacerbated by limited access to human, economic and technological resources. Moreover it is now recognized that methods developed specifically for large firms cannot necessarily be transferred to smaller and medium firms, hence the need to investigate the H&S culture in SMEs. This exploratory study is based on descriptive survey using semi-structured and structured questionnaire, and non-probability sampling to give an overview of the characteristics of H&S culture and practices in SMEs firms in the South African construction industry.
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Critical indicators for measuring health and safety performance improvement in small and medium construction enterprise projects
- Agumba, Justus N., Haupt, Theo
- Authors: Agumba, Justus N. , Haupt, Theo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Construction industry - Safety measures
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:4679 , ISSN 1-8843420-02-7 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10448
- Description: The common measures of measuring health and safety (H&S) performance have, been down stream indicators. Such measures alone are regarded as inadequate in providing meaningful information to help reduce the cause of workplace injury or illness. Researchers have indicated that there is no consensus on what constitutes appropriate H&S performance indicators. This study sought to validate the identified set of leading indicators to enable personnel of small and medium construction enterprises (SME) monitor and improve H&S performance on their projects.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Agumba, Justus N. , Haupt, Theo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Construction industry - Safety measures
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:4679 , ISSN 1-8843420-02-7 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10448
- Description: The common measures of measuring health and safety (H&S) performance have, been down stream indicators. Such measures alone are regarded as inadequate in providing meaningful information to help reduce the cause of workplace injury or illness. Researchers have indicated that there is no consensus on what constitutes appropriate H&S performance indicators. This study sought to validate the identified set of leading indicators to enable personnel of small and medium construction enterprises (SME) monitor and improve H&S performance on their projects.
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Employee involvement and empowerment in health and safety : a perception of small and medium contractors in South Africa
- Agumba, Justus J.N., Pretorius, Jan Harm, Haupt, Theo
- Authors: Agumba, Justus J.N. , Pretorius, Jan Harm , Haupt, Theo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Worker participation , Employee involvement , Employee empowerment , Construction industry - Health measures , Construction industry - Safety measures , Small and medium sized contractors - South Africa - Gauteng
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:4885 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12599
- Description: Purpose: It is well known that managing H&S helps ensure that construction organizations are achieving their H&S objectives and targets. As such, the H&S management practices constitute a vehicle to improve H&S performance outcome. However, the challenge is to determine what needs to be measured and practiced by SMEs at project level. The objectives of this paper are therefore to determine the H&S elements indicative of SMEs, employee involvement and empowerment H&S practices and the influence of employee involvement and empowerment on H&S performance at project level. Research methodology: A survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire consisting of 31 items categorized in five independent variables (IV). This was developed from extensive literature and four rounds of Delphi survey. A total of 216 valid questionnaires were analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20. Inferential statistics were used to determine the perception of SMEs employee involvement and empowerment practices. Finally, standard multiple linear regression analysis was undertaken to establish the influence employee involvement and empowerment had on H&S performance. Findings: Five IVs were retained as valid and reliable factors of H&S practice within SMEs at project level. However the study established that employee involvement and empowerment is not greatly practiced and does not influence H&S performance. Limitations: Self-administered questionnaire for SMEs and the majority of the respondents conducting business in Gauteng province in South Africa are limitations in this study. Value: The findings indicate the need to fully involve and empower employees in H&S activities of SMEs at project level. Practical implication: This study provides the basis of informing the H&S policy that employee involvement and empowerment is not greatly practiced within construction SMEs in South Africa at project level. Hence, the need to encourage this practice within South African SMEs is highly recommended.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Agumba, Justus J.N. , Pretorius, Jan Harm , Haupt, Theo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Worker participation , Employee involvement , Employee empowerment , Construction industry - Health measures , Construction industry - Safety measures , Small and medium sized contractors - South Africa - Gauteng
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:4885 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12599
- Description: Purpose: It is well known that managing H&S helps ensure that construction organizations are achieving their H&S objectives and targets. As such, the H&S management practices constitute a vehicle to improve H&S performance outcome. However, the challenge is to determine what needs to be measured and practiced by SMEs at project level. The objectives of this paper are therefore to determine the H&S elements indicative of SMEs, employee involvement and empowerment H&S practices and the influence of employee involvement and empowerment on H&S performance at project level. Research methodology: A survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire consisting of 31 items categorized in five independent variables (IV). This was developed from extensive literature and four rounds of Delphi survey. A total of 216 valid questionnaires were analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20. Inferential statistics were used to determine the perception of SMEs employee involvement and empowerment practices. Finally, standard multiple linear regression analysis was undertaken to establish the influence employee involvement and empowerment had on H&S performance. Findings: Five IVs were retained as valid and reliable factors of H&S practice within SMEs at project level. However the study established that employee involvement and empowerment is not greatly practiced and does not influence H&S performance. Limitations: Self-administered questionnaire for SMEs and the majority of the respondents conducting business in Gauteng province in South Africa are limitations in this study. Value: The findings indicate the need to fully involve and empower employees in H&S activities of SMEs at project level. Practical implication: This study provides the basis of informing the H&S policy that employee involvement and empowerment is not greatly practiced within construction SMEs in South Africa at project level. Hence, the need to encourage this practice within South African SMEs is highly recommended.
- Full Text:
Health and safety management practices in small and medium enterprises in the South African construction industry
- Agumba, Justus, Pretorius, Jan Harm, Haupt, Theo
- Authors: Agumba, Justus , Pretorius, Jan Harm , Haupt, Theo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Construction industry - South Africa
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:4898 , ISSN 1023-0564 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12991
- Description: Considering its share in, and impact on national economies, the construction industry receives additional attention in terms of its performance and productivity, especially among small and medium contractors. However, with the extensive workforce it employs, health and safety (H&S) issues have become important, since the industry still has the reputation of being one of those with the highest fatality and accident rates. It has been well established from literature and previous studies (Fernandez-Muniz, Montes-Peon & Vazquez- Ordas, 2007: 636; Rajendran & Gambatese, 2009: 1072) that managing H&S helps to ensure that construction organisations are achieving their H&S objectives. As such, H&S management practices constitute a vehicle to improve H&S performance. Given the dominance of small and medium contractors in the construction sector, the challenge is to determine what needs to be measured and practised by these Small and Medium Construction Enterprises (SMCEs) at project level. The objective of this article is to validate the H&S practices that small and medium construction enterprises practise in order to improve H&S performance at project level.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Agumba, Justus , Pretorius, Jan Harm , Haupt, Theo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Construction industry - South Africa
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:4898 , ISSN 1023-0564 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12991
- Description: Considering its share in, and impact on national economies, the construction industry receives additional attention in terms of its performance and productivity, especially among small and medium contractors. However, with the extensive workforce it employs, health and safety (H&S) issues have become important, since the industry still has the reputation of being one of those with the highest fatality and accident rates. It has been well established from literature and previous studies (Fernandez-Muniz, Montes-Peon & Vazquez- Ordas, 2007: 636; Rajendran & Gambatese, 2009: 1072) that managing H&S helps to ensure that construction organisations are achieving their H&S objectives. As such, H&S management practices constitute a vehicle to improve H&S performance. Given the dominance of small and medium contractors in the construction sector, the challenge is to determine what needs to be measured and practised by these Small and Medium Construction Enterprises (SMCEs) at project level. The objective of this article is to validate the H&S practices that small and medium construction enterprises practise in order to improve H&S performance at project level.
- Full Text:
Health and safety management practices in small and medium enterprises in the South African construction industry
- Agumba, Justus, Pretorius, J.H, Haupt, Theo
- Authors: Agumba, Justus , Pretorius, J.H , Haupt, Theo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: small and medium construction enterprises, , Elements , validation
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/17222 , uj:15860 , ISSN 1023-0564 , Agumba, N.J., Pretorius, J.H., & Haupt, C.T. 2013. Health and safety management practices in small and medium enterprises in the South Africa Construction Industry. Acta Structilia: Journal for the Physical and Development Sciences vol.20 (1) pp66-88,
- Description: Abstract: Considering its share in, and impact on national economies, the construction industry receives additional attention in terms of its performance and productivity, especially among small and medium contractors...
- Full Text:
- Authors: Agumba, Justus , Pretorius, J.H , Haupt, Theo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: small and medium construction enterprises, , Elements , validation
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/17222 , uj:15860 , ISSN 1023-0564 , Agumba, N.J., Pretorius, J.H., & Haupt, C.T. 2013. Health and safety management practices in small and medium enterprises in the South Africa Construction Industry. Acta Structilia: Journal for the Physical and Development Sciences vol.20 (1) pp66-88,
- Description: Abstract: Considering its share in, and impact on national economies, the construction industry receives additional attention in terms of its performance and productivity, especially among small and medium contractors...
- Full Text:
Perceptions of construction health and safety perfomance improvement enablers
- Agumba, Justus N., Haupt, Theo
- Authors: Agumba, Justus N. , Haupt, Theo
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Construction industry - Safety measures , Construction industry - Health aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/16729 , uj:15803 , Citation: Agumba, J.N. & Haupt, T. 2009. Perceptions of construction health and safety perfomance improvement enablers. Proceedings of Association of Schools of Construction of Southern Africa (ASOCSA), 4th Built Environment Conference, Zambezi Sun, Livingstone, Zambia, 17th–19th May 2009:460-472 , ISBN: 978-0-620-43702-8
- Description: Abstract: Please refer to full text to view abstract
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Agumba, Justus N. , Haupt, Theo
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Construction industry - Safety measures , Construction industry - Health aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/16729 , uj:15803 , Citation: Agumba, J.N. & Haupt, T. 2009. Perceptions of construction health and safety perfomance improvement enablers. Proceedings of Association of Schools of Construction of Southern Africa (ASOCSA), 4th Built Environment Conference, Zambezi Sun, Livingstone, Zambia, 17th–19th May 2009:460-472 , ISBN: 978-0-620-43702-8
- Description: Abstract: Please refer to full text to view abstract
- Full Text: false
Validating and identifying health and safety performance improvement indicators : experience of using Delphi technique
- Agumba, Justus N., Haupt, Theo
- Authors: Agumba, Justus N. , Haupt, Theo
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Delphi technique , Indicators , Methodology
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/87674 , uj:19608 , Citation: Agumba, J.N. & Haupt, T. 2015. Validating and identifying health and safety performance improvement indicators : experience of using Delphi technique.
- Description: Abstract: The literature on health and safety (H&S) is bound with different elements and indicators of measuring H&S performance. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the success and challenges of using quantitative and qualitative approach of Delphi technique in validating and identifying H&S performance indicators that small and medium construction enterprises (SMEs) can use to measure and monitor their H&S performance improvement at project level. Furthermore, discuss the identification of experts in the field of H&S, ways of improving consensus analysis and minimizing experts’ non‐response. This study is based on practical experience of the researchers pertaining to the Delphi technique method which is a constructivist or interpretive approach to knowledge. The study started with an extensive literature review to identify core elements and leading indicators characterizing H&S culture to develop a Delphi questionnaire that was used in the first round of Delphi. A four round Delphi technique was conducted to attain consensus of the identified H&S indicators. The experts were identified from published articles of H&S, practitioners’ website of H&S and word of mouth. The use of email was used as a mode of communication. This study set to warn but also encourage the use of Delphi technique as a method to unearth information in areas where consensus has not been reached such as H&S performance measurement indicators for construction SMEs in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Agumba, Justus N. , Haupt, Theo
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Delphi technique , Indicators , Methodology
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/87674 , uj:19608 , Citation: Agumba, J.N. & Haupt, T. 2015. Validating and identifying health and safety performance improvement indicators : experience of using Delphi technique.
- Description: Abstract: The literature on health and safety (H&S) is bound with different elements and indicators of measuring H&S performance. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the success and challenges of using quantitative and qualitative approach of Delphi technique in validating and identifying H&S performance indicators that small and medium construction enterprises (SMEs) can use to measure and monitor their H&S performance improvement at project level. Furthermore, discuss the identification of experts in the field of H&S, ways of improving consensus analysis and minimizing experts’ non‐response. This study is based on practical experience of the researchers pertaining to the Delphi technique method which is a constructivist or interpretive approach to knowledge. The study started with an extensive literature review to identify core elements and leading indicators characterizing H&S culture to develop a Delphi questionnaire that was used in the first round of Delphi. A four round Delphi technique was conducted to attain consensus of the identified H&S indicators. The experts were identified from published articles of H&S, practitioners’ website of H&S and word of mouth. The use of email was used as a mode of communication. This study set to warn but also encourage the use of Delphi technique as a method to unearth information in areas where consensus has not been reached such as H&S performance measurement indicators for construction SMEs in South Africa.
- Full Text:
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