Role of Organizational Culture in Preventive Management of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Construction Workplaces: Case Study of Masonry Workers, Nairobi County

Abstract

The world's social and economic development is greatly influenced by the important trade of masonry work in the construction industry. Workers in the masonry trade are frequently subjected to workplace hazards that may create musculoskeletal disorders. Approximately 1.71 billion people worldwide are estimated to suffer musculoskeletal disorders. The construction industry stakeholders' desired workplace health management outcome levels have not been achieved through previous engineering and administrative risk management efforts. There has been scarce research on workplace leadership styles and strategies that support a robust risk management culture that creates and maintains a greater standard of worker health in building projects. The aim of the study was to examine how organizational culture influences the management of musculoskeletal disorders among masonry workers in building construction workplaces. Its objectives were to investigate existing organizational culture practices in the preventive management of musculoskeletal disorders in masonry workers as well as interrogate how these disorders are being managed. The study also examined existing challenges as well as the effectiveness of existing government policies and occupational safety and health implementation frameworks on organizational culture practices and their effect on the management of musculoskeletal disorders among masonry workers. The inquiry was guided by the following research questions: What relations exist between organization culture practices and preventive management of work-related musculoskeletal disorders of masonry workers; What correlations exist between masonry work control practices and the preventive management of work-related musculoskeletal disorders of masonry workers; What relationship is there between the existing government policy on Occupational Safety and Health and prevention and control of work-related musculoskeletal disorders of masonry workers; What relationship exist between the present barriers to organization culture practices and the preventive management of work-related musculoskeletal disorders of masonry workers; What relationship exist between existing national occupational safety and health implementation framework and preventive management of work-related musculoskeletal disorders of masonry workers. xvi The answers to the above questions informed the conclusions of the study. Paired null and alternative hypotheses about each question were formulated to test the statistical significance of the results at a presumed 95% confidence level and a 5% margin of error. The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design and multiple-case methods due to the results replication and generalizability to the general population. The unit of analysis was the masonry worker. The study was guided by the constructivism philosophical paradigm underpinned by general systems, complexity and chaos theories. The inquiry used the proportionate stratified, purposive and simple random sampling techniques for determining the sample size and selection of respondents. The study applied Cronbach's alpha and SPSS applications to test and retest data collection instruments for consistency and reliability. The inquiry included data processing, analysis, and triangulation techniques to determine the logical relationships between data sets. The investigation used descriptive, SPSS-based bivariate, and inferential statistical methods to test the study hypotheses. The outcome determined the relationship between the independent variables and how they influence each other, the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variable were also examined. The key recommendations of the study were; to review and improve masonry workers’ regular education, training, sensitization and mentorship on workplace Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) management. The training to include masonry work-related risk identification and response techniques, particularly those relating to material handling and emerging work procedures and process technologies; review of existing OSH legislations to include involvement of project sponsors and designers in OSH risk management participation in BCW and the BCW management to establish and effect medical surveillance, regular check-ups and treatment of masonry workers. The study recommended further research on Occupational Safety and Health management related psychological factors relating to innovative methods, techniques in Building Construction workplaces and the impact of motivational and behavioral factors and the management of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders of masonry workers.