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Health and safety management in developing countries: a study of construction SMEs in Ghana

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  • Nongiba Kheni
  • Andy Dainty
  • Alistair Gibb

Abstract

The construction industry plays a significant role in the economy of developing countries. The sector is, however, also one of the most hazardous with frequent accidents and health-related problems. The health and safety practices of construction small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana are examined with a view to improving the health and safety performance of the sector. A survey questionnaire was administered to owner/managers of SMEs, with a response rate of 32% of the sampling frame. Few of the SMEs adopted proactive health and safety practices. However, health and safety practices identified as being particularly associated with firm characteristics were: accident investigation procedures; accident reporting procedures; use of health and safety posters; documentation of method statements; and health and safety inductions. The diversity of health and safety practices associated with different size categories of SMEs and constraints to improving health and safety are highlighted. A positive change is needed in the attitudes of owner/managers which takes into account size-related constraints in order to improve the health and safety performance of Ghanaian SMEs.

Suggested Citation

  • Nongiba Kheni & Andy Dainty & Alistair Gibb, 2008. "Health and safety management in developing countries: a study of construction SMEs in Ghana," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(11), pages 1159-1169.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:conmgt:v:26:y:2008:i:11:p:1159-1169
    DOI: 10.1080/01446190802459916
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:ilo:ilowps:486930 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Mitullah, Winnie V. & Njeri Wachira, Isabella., 2003. "Informal labour in the construction industry in Kenya : a case study of Nairobi," ILO Working Papers 994869303402676, International Labour Organization.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Ahmed Shakil, 2019. "Causes of Accident at Construction Sites in Bangladesh," Organization, Technology and Management in Construction, Sciendo, vol. 11(1), pages 1933-1951, January.
    2. Joana Eva Dodoo & Hosam Al-Samarraie, 2019. "Factors leading to unsafe behavior in the twenty first century workplace: a review," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 69(4), pages 391-414, November.
    3. R. Tasmin & M. H. Muazu & A. H. Nor Aziati & N. L. Zohadi, 2020. "The mediating effect of enterprise risk management implementation on operational excellence in the Malaysian oil and gas sector: a conceptual framework," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 6(1), pages 1-6, December.
    4. Alison Furber & Sarah Duncan & Simon David Smith & Martin Crapper, 2012. "The health and safety implications of socio-cultural context for community construction projects in developing countries," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 30(10), pages 857-867, October.
    5. Obi Berko Obeng Damoah & Augustine Awuah Peprah, 2021. "Synthesis of small and medium enterprise research in Ghana," Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, Springer;UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship, vol. 11(1), pages 451-468, December.

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