A conceptual model for predicting construction worker injury
- Authors: Agumba, Justus N.
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Construction workers , Injury , Predictors , Conceptual model
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/17907 , uj:15937 , Citation: Agumba, J.N. 2015. A conceptual model for predicting construction worker injury. Strouhal, J. & Sandhu, P.S. (Eds) 2015 International Conference on Environment, Agricultural & Civil Engineering (ICEACE-15), Sept. 24-26, 2015, Penang, Malaysia. pp. 93-98. ISBN: 9789384422394.
- Description: Abstract: Construction is a dangerous industry globally, with high rates of fatal and non-fatal injuries. However, there is paucity of analytical research that considers the predicators of injuries among construction workers in South Africa construction industry and in the developing countries. The objective of this study was to review existing research literature to identify the variables that are 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 and was based on a systematic keyword combination search in two databases that is- emerald a! nd science direct and in google. Twenty one quantitative and mixed method research studies were justified to be 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 leadership characteristics of the different construction workers especially the tradesmen, hence these are major gaps identified in the current literature. Despite the gaps identified, five broad themes that are perceived to be predictors of construction workers injuries were identified, these are: work related variables, demographic variables, unsafe health and safety (H&S) behaviour, poor safety climate, and psychosocial factors. This paper finally proposed a conceptual model for construction worker injury occurrence.
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A factorial analysis of safety performance measures: a study among construction workers in Gauteng, South Africa
- Authors: Okoro, Chioma Sylvia , Musonda, Innocent , Agumba, Justus Ngala , Exploratory factor analysis
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Construction workers , Safety performance
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/377046 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/94004 , uj:20418 , Citation: Okor, C.S., Musonda, I. & Agumba, J.N. 2016. A factorial analysis of safety performance measures: a study among construction workers in Gauteng, South Africa.
- Description: Abstract: The health and safety (H&S) of construction workers has been a subject of much deliberation for decades. However, there is scant literature focusing on aspects of workers’ safety performance (SP) relating to their unhealthy and unsafe eating behavior. The paper presents findings on an exploratory factor analysis of H&S performance measures. A 10- item questionnaire which was developed after an extensive literature review was used to collect empirical data on SP of construction workers in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Results showed that SP could be reasonably measured by two constructs. The two constructs were clearly defined as trailing and prevailing. The emerged trailing measures were named lagging indicators while the prevailing ones were designated as leading indicators. The results lend support to extant literature which advocates the use of both leading and lagging safety performance indicators for effectively assessing construction workers’ safety performance. The study provides evidence which could be beneficial in psychometric evaluation of construction workers’ safety performance and behaviours on construction sites.
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A principal components analysis of safety performance measures: a study among construction workers in Gauteng, South Africa
- Authors: Okoro, Chioma , Musonda, Innocent , Agumba, Justus
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Construction workers , Exploratory factor analysis , Gauteng
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/216627 , uj:21531 , Citation: Okoro, C., Musonda, I & Agumba, J. 2016. A principal components analysis of safety performance measures: a study among construction workers in Gauteng, South Africa.
- Description: Abstract: The health and safety (H&S) of construction workers has been a subject of much deliberation for decades. However, there is scant literature focusing on aspects of workers’ safety performance (SP) relating to their unhealthy and unsafe eating behavior. The paper presents findings on a principal components analysis (PCA) of H&S performance measures. A 10-item questionnaire which was developed after an extensive literature review was used to collect empirical data on SP of construction workers in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Results showed that SP could be reasonably measured by two constructs. The two constructs were clearly defined by the PCA as trailing and prevailing. The emerged trailing measures were named lagging indicators while the prevailing ones were designated as leading indicators. The results lend support to extant literature which advocates the use of both leading and lagging safety performance indicators for effectively assessing construction workers’ safety performance. The study provides evidence which could be beneficial in psychometric evaluation of construction workers’ safety performance and behaviours on construction sites.
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An exploratory study of the problems faced by women graduates mentees in the construction sector : a literature review
- Authors: Nkomo, Morena William , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Construction industry , Construction workers , Mentoring in business
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/71793 , uj:18197 , Citation: Nkomo, M.W. & Thwala, W.D. 2015. An exploratory study of the problems faced by women graduates mentees in the construction sector : a literature review.
- Description: Abstract: Women have a limited advancement in the construction industry due to lack of structured mentorship programme. Mentorship has been used as a tool to advance women in their careers. Previous research has shown that the successful mentorship of women was insufficient. In South Africa the construction industry is currently economically active and has a shortage of qualified and skilled professionals. This paper assesses problems to female graduates’ mentoring in the South African construction industry, recommends measures to promote their mentoring, retention and participation in infrastructure development and examine perceived career barriers of women in entry level and mid-level positions who were formally and informally mentored. The study was mainly a literature review, qualitative with a special focus on women mentoring problems of employees within organizations. The results indicated only one significant finding, informally mentored protégés rated lack of mentoring as more of a barrier to advancement than who reported being formally mentored. The study contributes to social change by providing empirical support for the importance of formal mentoring in empowering women for future career advancement and a guide for policy changes for government and strategies for industry, education and society to solve the problems women graduates experience in South Africa.
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Assessing safety performance of construction workers in Gauteng, South Africa
- Authors: Okoro, Chioma Sylvia , Musonda, Innocent , Agumba, Justus
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Construction workers , Safety performance , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/367394 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/216608 , uj:21530 , Citation: Okoro, C.S., Musonda, I & Agumba, J. 2016. Assessing safety performance of construction workers in Gauteng, South Africa.
- Description: Abstract: Purpose of this paper The health and safety (H&S) of construction workers has been a subject of much deliberation and justifiably so, since construction workers are invaluable in construction processes. The paper presents findings on an assessment of safety performance of construction workers in the Gauteng province of South Africa. Methodology A field questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data regarding safety performance on sites. Participants were selected using heterogeneity and convenience sampling techniques. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 22 software. Mean values and standard deviation were computed. Findings The results of the study indicated that medical treatment beyond on-site first aid and limited work days were minimal among the participants. It was also found that poorer safety performance with regard to risk assessment before engaging in tasks and accepting any kind of work prevailed...
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Development of a scale for assessing determinants of construction workers’ food choices
- Authors: Okoro, C. , Musonda, I. , Agumba, J.
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Construction workers , Factors , Food choice
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/214963 , uj:21347 , Citation: Okoro, C., Musonda, I & Agumba, J. 2016. Development of a scale for assessing determinants of construction workers’ food choices.
- Description: Abstract: Research on the factors influencing construction workers’ food choices and overall nutrition is limited, in South Africa and indeed Africa. The aim of the present paper is to develop and validate a questionnaire of factors influencing construction workers’ food choices. A quantitative, purposive approach was used in the study. Fourty-two items, divided into six constructs, were used to develop a field survey questionnaire after an extensive literature review. Principal components analysis (PCA) was conducted to examine the structures and validity of the constructs. Cronbach’s alpha test and mean inter-item correlations were used to examine internal consistency reliability. After repeated factor analysis, the questionnaire of food choice factors revealed seven different factors: food context, biological factors, nutritional knowledge, personal ideas and systems, economic factors, resources and cultural background. These factors explained 60.09% variance. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranged from 0.62 to 0.85, indicating good internal consistency reliability. The factors which influence construction workers’ food choices are important considerations when designing and implementing nutrition interventions in the South African construction industry. Future research can adopt the instrument when conducting psychometric assessments of construction workers’ food choices.
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Evaluating the influence of nutritional determinants on construction workers’ nutritional intake
- Authors: Okoro, C.S. , Musonda, I. , Agumba, J.
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Determinants , Nutrition , Construction workers
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/216740 , uj:21547 , Citation: Okoro, C.S., Musonda, I. & Agumba, J. 2016. Evaluating the influence of nutritional determinants on construction workers’ nutritional intake.
- Description: Abstract: Nutritional knowledge, economic, social, biological and cultural factors have been known to determine an individual’s food choice and intake. Despite the existence of research on the factors which influence nutrition globally, there is little known about the extent to which these factors influence the nutrition of construction workers, which in turn influences their health and safety performance during construction activities. The present paper investigates the extent to which construction workers’ nutrition is influenced by knowledge, economic, social, biological and cultural factors. A field questionnaire survey was conducted on site construction workers in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Principal components analysis and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Findings revealed that consumption of foods termed alternative foods including dairy products, eggs, nuts, fish and cereals, was influenced by nutritional knowledge and resources. Foods termed traditional core foods were identified to be influenced by cultural background; foods termed secondary core foods comprising fruits and vegetables were reported to be influenced by economic factors, resources and cultural background; while foods termed core foods were mostly influenced by nutritional knowledge. By providing evidence of the factors which most influence selection and consumption of certain foods by construction workers, relevant nutrition interventions will be designed and implemented, taking cognizance of these factors.
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Identifying worksite intervention strategies to improve construction workers’ nutrition : a review of literature
- Authors: Okoro, Chioma Sylvia , Musonda, Innocent , Agumba, Justus Ngala
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Construction workers , Health and safety , Nutrition
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/241749 , uj:24919 , Citation: Okoro, C.S., Musonda, I. & Agumba, J.N. 2017. Identifying worksite intervention strategies to improve construction workers’ nutrition : a review of literature.
- Description: Abstract: The nutrition of construction workers appears to be understudied despite anecdotal evidence that suggests that it is closely linked to health and safety (H&S) performance and productivity of the workers on construction sites. The objective of this paper is to identify possible worksite interventions to improve the nutrition of construction workers. A review of literature based on both South African and international context was conducted from journal, conference proceedings, books, magazines, theses and dissertations. Findings revealed that supplementary feeding programmes, nutrition education and environmental and/organizational changes could beget better nutritional behaviour among construction workers, whose food choices comprise mainly of fast-foods and fizzy drinks. The study emphasizes the need for nutrition of construction workers to be given adequate consideration on worksites.
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Influence of construction clients on health and safety performance
- Authors: Lopes, Martin
- Date: 2012-06-05
- Subjects: Health and safety in construction industries , Construction workers , Operations and management systems
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2443 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4901
- Description: M. Tech. , The objectives of the study were: • To measure the extent to which clients understand their role in health and safety on site and accept it as their responsibility from the inception phase through to the maintenance phase; • To establish to what extent clients actively influence construction health and safety performance on their project; • To determine whether clients address health and safety in all phases of their construction projects; • To establish whether clients pre-qualify their appointed contractors on the basis of construction health and safety performance; and • To evaluate whether there is a correlation between client involvement in health and safety and actual health and safety performance. The literature is largely silent on client influence on health and safety during the later phases of a project. Very little has been written about client influence on health and safety and this is further enforced in clients delegating health and safety responsibilities to the consultants and contractor and regarding this as completion of their duties. Further, client should have major influence on the initial phases of construction rather than the later stages as the literature has shown decreased influence on health and safety with project evolvement. Clients regard themselves as most influential in the later phases of a project. The literature found that 63% of fatalities were traceable to pre-construction activities. The reason for poor health and safety is that clients see themselves as being responsible for and addressing health and safety in the later phases of a project.
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