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A health and safety model for occupational exposure to radiofrequency fields and static magnetic fields from 1.5 and 3 T MRI scanners

- Rathebe, P, Weyers, C, Raphela, F

  • Authors: Rathebe, P , Weyers, C , Raphela, F
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Health and safety , Occupational exposure , Model
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/410544 , uj:34457 , Citation: Rathebe, P., Weyers, C., Raphela, F. : A health and safety model for occupational exposure to radiofrequency fields and static magnetic fields from 1.5 and 3 T MRI scanners.
  • Description: Abstract: The exposure of MRI staff to SMFs and RF fields in the MRI units happen as a result of their induced movement in the MRI room during patients’ examination. Exposure to SMFs among health care workers has been associated with vertigo, nausea, increased heart rate, hypothermia and metallic taste in the mouth. The only known adverse effects associated with RF fields’ exposure include induced tissue heating, and the scientific arguments regarding non-thermal effects are inconclusive. The emission of MRI-related electromagnetic fields and exposure of workers to RF energy and SMFs can be reduced through implementation of reasonably practicable control measures. This study attempts to recommend the hierarchy of controls that can be implemented in the MRI units to reduce emissions and exposure of MRI staff to RF energy and SMFs. The controls are recommended based on exposure assessment conducted to quantify the exposure levels and self-reported priori-related and unrelated health consequences. In the MRI units, elimination is an impractical measure, hence, the implementation of engineering and administrative control measures as well as the utilisation of personal protective equipment (PPE) are recommended to mitigate exposure. Engineering controls include modification of MRI scanners to reduce emissions while administration controls include the design of work schedules and processes to be adaptive by MRI staff. PPE is recommended as a last resort and include protective equipment that are fit to reduce exposure arriving to workers. In South Africa, there is no legislation to assist in enforcing exposure limits and as a result, exposure levels are uncontrolled. The model of this kind could assist in reducing exposure levels in the MRI units and substantially reduce exposure-related effects amongst workers.
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An investigation of factors that assure a zero accident goal in construction sites in Gauteng, South Africa

- Van Heerden, J. H. F., Musonda, I., Okoro, C. S.

  • Authors: Van Heerden, J. H. F. , Musonda, I. , Okoro, C. S.
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Construction industry , Gauteng , Health and safety
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/282206 , uj:30405 , Citation: Van Heerden, J.H.F., Musonda, I. & Okoro, C.S. 2018. An investigation of factors that assure a zero accident goal in construction sites in Gauteng, South Africa.
  • Description: Abstract: Construction accidents and fatalities bear heavily on companies. Thus, achieving zero accidents on construction projects is a desired goal universally. The present study aims to identify critical conditions or factors to ensure zero accidents on projects. A field questionnaire survey was used to collect data in different locations in Gauteng. Participants were selected using snowballing and judgemental sampling techniques. Empirical data were analysed using EXCEL to output descriptive statistics including mean item scores and standard deviation. The factors were further ranked to identify the most important as perceived by the sampled respondents. The study found that clear H&S goals, regular recording of accidents and incidents, regular tool box talks as well as following strict H&S rules, procedures and processes were the most indicators of a good safety record among the sampled organisations. On the other hand, involving staff in H&S planning and worker incentives did not appear to have much bearing on achieving zero accidents in the organizations sampled. The study was conducted in only one Province in South Africa and may not be generalisable to construction organizations in entire country or other geographical areas. The current research identifies factors necessary to prevent or avoid accidents on construction sites. Continuous health and safety improvement is likely if factors to prevent accidents are taken into account to prevent their occurrence.
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Assuring health and safety (H&S) performance on construction projects - clients' role and influence

- Musonda, Innocent, Pretorius, Jan-Harm, Haupt, Conrad Theodore

Client attitude to health and safety (H&S) - a report on contractor's perceptions

- Musonda, I., Haupt, T.

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.
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Client commitment and attitude to construction health and safety in Botswana

- Musonda, I., Smallwood, J.

Conceptual model of H&S culture

- Musonda, Innocent, Haupt, Theo C.

  • Authors: Musonda, Innocent , Haupt, Theo C.
  • Date: 2011
  • Subjects: Health and safety , Conceptual model , LIP+3C model
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference Paper
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/29990 , uj:15446 , 978-0-86970-713-5 , Musonda, I., Haupt, T.C. (2011). Conceptual model of client health and safety (H&S) culture. Proceedings of the 6th built environment conference , Johannesburg, South Africa, July 31st – August 2nd 2011, pp 156-166
  • Description: Purpose: This paper presents a conceptual six factor client H&S culture model referred to as the LIP+3C. The factors leadership, involvement, procedures, commitment, communication and competence were theorised to explain the client H&S culture construct. The postulated model is based on theory obtained from literature as well as from a Delphi research. H&S culture has been recognised as the feasible way to improve H&S performance in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach: A Delphi study as well as a synthesis of literature was conducted and resulted in a theorised conceptual model. To validate the model, a questionnaire survey with a response of 281 was conducted. Findings from the questionnaire survey were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) with EQS version 6.1 software. Findings: The six factor client H&S culture model was found to be well fitting to the sample data through the confirmatory factor analysis. Consequently client H&S culture findings were that client culture could be explained by the level of leadership, involvement, procedures, commitment, communication and competence. Research limitations/implications: The size of the sample may affect the generalisability the findings in view of the complexity of the model. Practical implications: The proposed model in this study makes it possible to determine and predict the client H&S culture. The indicator variables can be used as check items for performance measurement and thus operationalize the concept of H&S culture. Originality/value: Adopting the LIP+3C culture model composed of elements that can easily be implemented and understood will contribute to improving the current H&S status
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Designer's contribution to construction health and safety (H&S) - a case study of a public works project

- Musonda, I., Haupt, T.

Employers' Contribution Towards Health and Safety Compliance

- Mustapha, Zakari, Aigbavboa, Clinton, Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku

Experience of using Delphi method in construction health and safety research

- Agumba, Justus, Musonda, Innocent

Health and safety (H&S) awareness and implementation in Botswana's construction industry

- Musonda, I., Smallwood, J.

Health and safety (H&S) awareness and implementation in Botswana's construction industry

- Musonda, Innocent, Smallwood, J.

Identification of health and safety performance improvement indicators for small and medium construction enterprises : a Delphi consensus study

- Agumba, Justus N., Haupt, Theo C.

  • Authors: Agumba, Justus N. , Haupt, Theo C.
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Health and safety , Performance improvement , Small business - Safety measures
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5328 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8623
  • Description: This study sought to identify and validate a comprehensive set of health and safety (H&S) leading indicator metrics that will enable small and medium construction enterprises (SMEs) personnel to monitor the level of H&S performance in their projects. The Delphi approach was used where the opinion of H&S experts, academics and industry practitioners were canvassed on 64 potential indicator metrics, categorized in 10 elements or leading indicators that will enable H&S performance improvement e.g. reduction in accidents, injuries, diseases but to name a few. The experts rated each indicator metric on a 10-point Likert scale of impact, where 1= no major impact or 10% impact and 10 = major impact or 100% impact. Consensus was reached on 32 indicator metrics after four successive rounds of Delphi if the indicators attracted final scores of, percentage median impact of 90% to 100% which is 9.00 to 10.00 median rating and over 50% of respondents rating the indicator metrics in the band of 9.00 to 10.00 or 90% to 100% impact to improve H&S performance. The experts had the opportunity to reconsider their scores informed by the group median score in rounds 2, 3 and 4. The limitation of the study was the reliance of a structured questionnaire in the first round as experts were not allowed to add any new indicators, until the fourth round. This study contributes to the H&S body of knowledge where no consensus has been reached pertaining to the indicator metrics that have major impact to improve H&S performance at project level of construction SMEs in South Africa.
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Identification of health and safety performance improvement indicators for small and medium construction enterprises: a Delphi consensus study

- Agumba, Justus N., Haupt, Theo C.

  • Authors: Agumba, Justus N. , Haupt, Theo C.
  • Date: 2011-09
  • Subjects: Health and safety , Performance improvement , Small and medium construction enterprises , Delphi approach
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5323 , ISSN 2281-4612 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8234
  • Description: This study sought to identify and validate a comprehensive set of health and safety (H&S) leading indicator metrics that will enable small and medium construction enterprises (SMEs) personnel to monitor the level of H&S performance in their projects. The Delphi approach was used where the opinion of H&S experts, academics and industry practitioners were canvassed on 64 potential indicator metrics, categorized in 10 elements or leading indicators that will enable H&S performance improvement e.g. reduction in accidents, injuries, diseases but to name a few. The experts rated each indicator metric on a 10-point Likert scale of impact, where 1= no major impact or 10% impact and 10 = major impact or 100% impact. Consensus was reached on 32 indicator metrics after four successive rounds of Delphi if the indicators attracted final scores of, percentage median impact of 90% to 100% which is 9.00 to 10.00 median rating and over 50% of respondents rating the indicator metrics in the band of 9.00 to 10.00 or 90% to 100% impact to improve H&S performance. The experts had the opportunity to reconsider their scores informed by the group median score in rounds 2, 3 and 4. The limitation of the study was the reliance of a structured questionnaire in the first round as experts were not allowed to add any new indicators, until the fourth round. This study contributes to the H&S body of knowledge where no consensus has been reached pertaining to the indicator metrics that have major impact to improve H&S performance at project level of construction SMEs in South Africa.
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Identifying factors influencing construction workers’ food choices in Gauteng, South Africa: A pilot investigation

- Okoro, C., Musonda, I., Agumba, J.

Identifying factors of health and safety (H&S) culture for the construction industry

- Musonda, Innocent, Haupt, Theo C.

  • Authors: Musonda, Innocent , Haupt, Theo C.
  • Date: 2011
  • Subjects: Health and safety , Construction industry , LIP+3C culture model
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/150621 , uj:1095
  • Description: Purpose: This paper presents a review of previous studies on the subject of H&S culture and outline key H&S culture factors that are necessary to make the concept useful in the construction industry. A conceptualised model LIP+3C is also presented as the outcome of the review Design/methodology/approach: Literature review focused on exploring the conceptual definitions of H&S culture was conducted. A matrix for the identified literature was developed to identify common H&S culture elements. Findings: It was revealed that there is still confusion and lack of consensus on the concept of H&S culture. However, the H&S culture elements of leadership, involvement, procedures, communication, competence and commitment dominate the literature. Research limitations/implications: Literature review was conducted on 15 published peer reviewed journal articles. The validation of the elements found in the study is currently under way although preliminary results confirm the findings. Practical implications: H&S culture has been identified as being of great importance to H&S performance improvement. Identifying culture elements that can easily be implemented and understood will contribute to improving the current H&S status. Originality/value: Adopting the LIP+3C culture model composed of elements that can easily be implemented and understood will contribute to improving the current H&S status
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Identifying worksite intervention strategies to improve construction workers’ nutrition : a review of literature

- Okoro, Chioma Sylvia, Musonda, Innocent, Agumba, Justus Ngala

Impact of Health and Safety regulations on Small and Medium‐ Sized Enterprise contractors in Ghana

- Mustapha, Zakari, Aigbavboa, Clinton, Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku

Impact significance of construction clients on designers' and contractors' health and safety (H&S) culture - an exploratory Delphi study

- Musonda, Innocent, Haupt, Theodore Conrad

Improving health and safety culture - a guide for construction clients

- Musonda, Innocent, Pretorius, Jan-Harm, Haupt, Theodore Conrad

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