Effectiveness of economic incentives on clients’ participation in health and safety programmes
- Authors: Musonda, I. , Pretorius, J.H.C.
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: Economic incentives , Health and safety programmes , Construction industry - Safety measures , Occupational health and safety
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5138 , ISSN 1021-2019 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14105
- Description: The use of economic incentives to improve health and safety (H&S) performance in the construction industry in general has been investigated by various scholars. However, few studies have looked at the impact of economic incentives on construction clients, especially in the developing world. This paper reports findings on the feasibility of incentives to influence construction clients to perform on H&S. The investigation was conducted using a Delphi technique to determine the impact significance of economic incentives or disincentives on construction clients’ H&S performance. A panel of experts in construction H&S was assembled from most regions of the world. A three- round iterative Delphi study aimed at establishing consensus from the expert panel was then conducted. The study found that economic factors have critical impact significance on clients’ H&S performance, and that clients were ‘very likely’ to implement various H&S elements as a result of the economic incentives and or disincentives. There is little research on the use of incentives to influence construction clients’ H&S performance and the effectiveness of such incentives. This gap in literature, and the need for improvement in construction H&S performance, motivated the current study. Therefore it was necessary to investigate specifically the extent to which economic incentives could be used to influence construction clients to become involved in H&S programmes. Economic incentives are considered to be a proactive way of improving H&S performance among other key parties, such as employees in the construction industry. The paper reports on the findings from an analysis of the impact significance of economic incentives on clients. It underscores the point that economic incentives or disincentives for construction clients are necessary to encourage them to actively participate in H&S programmes, hence resulting in performance improvement.
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Construction health and safety (H&S) performance improvement - a client-centred model
- Authors: Musonda, Innocent
- Date: 2012-10-16
- Subjects: Construction industry - Safety measures , Building - Safety measures , User-centered system design
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:10395 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7853
- Description: D.Phil. , Health and safety (H&S) is still a problem in the construction industry. Both locally in Southern Africa and internationally, the construction industry continues to lag behind other industries in terms of H&S performance. As a result, there has been a considerable amount of research and interest on H&S performance improvement. However, there seems to be little research of note focusing on the role and contribution of construction clients to H&S performance improvement. This research project investigated and modelled H&S performance on the role and contribution of clients to H&S. The primary aim of the research was to model how improved H&S performance could be achieved if clients and/or owners were involved. Literature was reviewed on the status of H&S performance in the construction industry, the significance of the industry and on the current trends in H&S performance improvement. Empirical data was collected through a Delphi study and through a field questionnaire survey. Analysis of results from the Delphi study was done with Microsoft Excel to output descriptive statistics. These descriptive statistics informed on whether the experts had reached consensus. Analysis of results from the field questionnaire was done with EQS version 6.1 and MPlus version 6.0. Both of these are structural equation modelling software. A conceptual client centred H&S performance improvement model was based on the theory developed from literature review findings and the Delphi study. The questionnaire survey was conducted for the purpose of validating the conceptual model. The questionnaire survey was conducted in Gaborone, Botswana and Johannesburg, South Africa. Respondents were asked to report on current construction projects that they were part of as a professional. Respondents were asked to indicate their assessment of client H&S culture, contractor, designer and project H&S performance. Results from the investigation pertained to three broad areas. The first results related to theory on H&S performance and performance improvement. Findings were that H&S performance improvement was unlikely if H&S culture was not improved. Further findings were that clients could provide the needed impetus to improve H&S performance.
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Construction health and safety risk management
- Authors: Mustapha, Z. , Aigbavboa, Clinton , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Construction industry , Risk management , Construction industry - Health measures , Construction industry - Safety measures
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:4822 , ISSN 978-0-86970-782-1 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12263
- Description: Refer to abstract in the full paper
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An exploratory study on the impact significance of project stakeholders on construction project health and safety (H&S)
- Authors: Musonda, Innocent , Haupt, Theodore Conrad
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Construction workers - Health and hygiene , Construction industry - Safety measures , Construction industry - Health aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/55098 , uj:16269 , Citation: Musonda, I. & Haupt, T.C. 2011. An exploratory study on the impact significance of project stakeholders on construction project health and safety (H&S). Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Construction Engineering and Project Management, Sydney, Australia, 16-18 February 2011, pS18-1. , ISBN 978-0-646-56461-6
- Description: Abstract: Health and safety in the construction industry continue to fall behind many industries despite much effort to improve the status. A considerable amount of research has been conducted to try and contribute to addressing the problem of health and safety (H&S) in the construction industry. A number of studies have looked at the role of various construction project stakeholders and their contribution to H&S. However there is no clear identification of the extent to which various stakeholders could contribute and therefore influence the outcome of H&S on construction projects. In view of the above, the current Delphi study went a little bit further and sought to establish the impact significance of construction clients and designers on H&S. This paper will present findings from the study which is the impact significance of clients and designers on H&S consideration throughout the project life cycle.
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Critical indicators for measuring health and safety performance improvement in small and medium construction enterprise projects
- 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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Identifying construction workers injury predictors : a thematic content analysis
- Authors: Agumba, Justus Ngala , Musonda, Innocent
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Construction workers - Health and hygiene , Construction industry - Safety measures
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/55313 , uj:16278 , Citation: Agumba, N.J. & Musonda, I. 2015. Identifying construction workers injury predictors : a thematic content analysis. In: Behm, M. & McAleenan, C. (eds.). Proceedings of the CIB W099 International Health and Safety Conference. September, 9-11, Belfast.:220-230. ISBN: 978-1-909854-01-7. , ISBN: 978-1-909854-01-7
- Description: Abstract: Construction is a dangerous industry globally, with high rates of fatal and non-fatal injuries. Furthermore, there is paucity of analytical research that considers the predictors of injuries among construction workers in South Africa construction industry and in the developing countries. The objective of this paper is to review existing research literature to identify the variables that are considered to be predictors of occupational injuries among construction workers. It also aimed to identify the gaps that exist in the current literature. The review spanned two decades between the periods January 1995 to 2015. The search was based on a systematic keyword combination search in two databases that is- emerald and science direct and in google. Twenty one quantitative and mixed method research studies were adjudged relevant for analysis in this current study. They were analysed using thematic content analysis, by identifying themes. All the studies reviewed had different predictors of construction workers injury. Furthermore, no study identified the safety leadership characteristics of the construction workers especially the tradesmen, hence a further gap identified in the current literature. Despite the gaps identified, five broad themes were adjudged to be good predictors of construction workers injuries, these were: work related variables, demographic variables, unsafe health and safety (H&S) behaviour, poor safety climate, and psychosocial factors. A further study is advocated to develop a predictive model for injury occurrence among construction workers in South Africa using logistic regression analysis. The model to be tested will also include the safety leadership characteristics of the construction workers.
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Perceptions of construction health and safety perfomance improvement enablers
- 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
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Relationship between nutrition and construction safety performance : experimental work
- Authors: Okoro, C. S. , Musonda, I. , Agumba, J. N.
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Construction workers - Nutrition , Construction workers - Health and hygiene , Construction industry - Safety measures
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/55424 , uj:16289 , Citation: Okoro, C.S., Musonda, I. & Agumba, J.N., 2015. Relationship between nutrition and construction safety performance : experimental work. In: Sato, H. & Kyratsis, P. (eds.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Food Nutrition and Civil Engineering (ICFNCE'2015), March 14–15, Dubai (UAE):74-78. , ISBN:978-93-84468-18-7
- Description: Abstract: It is known that nutrition is linked with worker health and safety (H&S) performance. However, this relationship has not been evaluated empirically. The present paper evaluates the relationship between nutrition and safety performance on construction sites. Empirical data were collected through a field questionnaire survey conducted on site construction workers in South Africa. Principal components analysis and Spearman’s correlation analysis were used to analyze the data. Findings revealed that increased consumption of certain foods termed “alternatives” in the current study, including dairy products, eggs, nuts, fish and cereals, was associated with improved safety performance. No significant correlation was found between nutritional choice and negative performance measures. By providing evidence of which foods may be correlated with safety performance of construction workers on construction sites, the design of explicit nutrition interventions for construction workers, particularly including planning for these significant foods, will be allowed. The study will also result in nutrition being given more attention in H&S considerations on construction sites.
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A Delphi study on the impact significance of clients and designers on health and safety (H&S) consideration throughout project lifecycle
- Authors: Musonda, Innocent , Haupt, Theodore Conrad
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Construction industry - Health aspects , Construction industry - Safety measures
- Language: English
- Type: Journal article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/55108 , uj:16270 , Citation: Musonda, I. & Haupt, T.C. 2011. A Delphi study on the impact significance of clients and designers on health and safety (H&S) consideration throughout project lifecycle. Journal of construction, 4(2):3-7. , ISSN 1994-7402
- Description: Abstract: The paper presents findings from a Delphi study on the impact significance of clients and designers to health and safety (H&S) performance. Specifically, the paper reports findings on the extent to which H&S would be considered throughout the project lifecycle when influenced by clients and designers. Health and safety (H&S) in the construction industry continue to fall behind many industries despite much effort to improve the status. Various research efforts have been conducted to try and address the problem of H&S in the construction industry. A number of studies have looked at the role of various construction project stakeholders and their contribution to H&S. However it is not clear the extent to which various stakeholders in particularly construction clients and designers could influence the outcome of H&S on construction projects. This study therefore, sought to look at this gap in research.
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Exploratory factor analysis of employee’s actions towards health and safety compliance in construction
- Authors: Mustapha, Zakari , Aigbavboa, Clinton Ohis , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Construction industry - Safety measures , Construction industry - Health aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/123564 , uj:20812 , Citation: Mustapha, Z., Aigbavboa, C.O. & Thwala, W.D. 2016. Exploratory factor analysis of employee’s actions towards health and safety compliance in construction. Creative Constructive Conference, 25-28 June 2016, Budapest, Hungary
- Description: Abstract: Unreasonable rates of accidents both permanent and non-permanent disabilities and even fatalities are found to be common among the construction industry. The purpose of the study was to determine employee’s actions towards Health and Safety (H&S) compliance in construction. Delphi survey method of data collection was used to generate information from academicians and construction professionals (experts). Questionnaires were completed by respondents based on provided indicator or measurement variables to predict employee’s actions towards H&S compliance in construction. The ratings of the questionnaire were based on either the impact was considered to be very high, high or medium. The analysis of the data was done using Microsoft EXCEL and the results were presented in charts. Findings from the study showed three measurement variables to have reached consensus using Inter-Quartile Deviation (IQD) with strong consensus and very high impact. Further Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) showed five indicator variables to be the determinant of H&S compliance. It can be concluded from the findings that employee’s actions are very significant in deriving health and safety compliance in the construction industry.
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An exploratory factor analysis of safe acts of workers towards health and safety compliance
- Authors: Zakari, M. , Aigbavboa, C. O. , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Construction industry - Safety measures , Construction industry - Health and hygiene
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/216672 , uj:21537 , Citation: Zakari, M., Aigbavboa, C.O & Thwala, W.D. 2016. An exploratory factor analysis of safe acts of workers towards health and safety compliance.
- Description: Abstract: Workers inability to act according to laid down rules and regulations within the industry have invariably contributed to their unsafe actions leading to accident. The purpose of the study was to determine safe acts of workers towards health and safety (H&S) compliance. Delphi survey method of data collection was adopted for the study. Experts were asked to complete the Delphi questionnaire survey based on the impact of given factors in predicting safe act of workers towards Health and Safety compliance. The ratings were based on either the impact was considered to be very high or high. Data obtained was analysed and results were presented in a table and a chart. Findings from the study show that only three measurement variables (ensure equipment or tools are in good condition before usage, ensure the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensure proper positioning of tasks) were considered by the experts to have reached consensus with IQD cut- re. Further findings showed strong consensus with very high impact (VHI: 9.00-10.00).Results from the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) showed that only five indicator variables (SAW10,SAW 16,SAW7, SAW8 and SAW9) were considered as determinant of Health and Safety compliance. Further findings showed that one indicator variable (PPE) was found to be common in the Delphi survey and EFA results.The factor loadings for all items were greater than 0.5593.This findings indicate that high priority was given to SAW 10 in determining Health and Safety compliance in the construction industry.
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Employee involvement and empowerment in health and safety : a perception of small and medium contractors in South Africa
- 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.
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Investigating the role of the external environment to influence clients’ health and safety (H&S) performance in the construction industry
- Authors: Musonda, Innocent , Pretorius, Jan-Harm , Haupt, Theodore
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Construction industry - Health measures , Construction industry - Safety measures
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:4861 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12537
- Description: Construction Clients have been identified in many studies to be of great importance to H&S performance in the construction industry. However their participation in H&S implementation remains below the expected and meaningful level. The situation in Southern Africa is not any different from the rest of the world. Therefore developing strategies that enhance clients’ H&S culture would ensure a gradual and sustained improvement of H&S in the construction industry. As a result it was imperative to investigate the feasibility of the postulation that the external environment has a positive influence on construction clients’ H&S culture and performance. The study, which was conducted in Botswana and South Africa, utilised the Delphi and structural equation modelling techniques in order to model and validate the said postulation. Findings from the Delphi study were that the external environment had a significant impact on client H&S performance. Further, clients were ‘very likely to’ implement H&S elements when influence from the external environment factors was evident. The validation from the structural equation modelling technique further indicated that the influence of the external environment on clients was statistically significant. Therefore this paper will report on findings from an investigation on the influence of the external environment on clients’ H&S performance. The study will highlight the point that environmental influence on clients is vital in order to achieve an improved H&S performance in the construction industry.
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