An investigation into the provision of personal protective equipment (ppe) to construction workers and its Enforcement mechanisms. A case study of construction projects in Nairobi area

Abstract

Adverse work factors and hazards on construction sites seriously threaten safety of construction workers. Provision and enforcement on use if personal protective equipments (PPE) as part of the safety management actions has an important role in controlling and reducing construction workers accidents and injuries. This research was carried out to study provision, use, maintenance and enforcement mechanisms of PPE as a safety tool in construction sites. In this cross-sectional study, questionnaires, interviews and observation were employed for data collection. The questionnaires were in three categories; for construction workers, site supervisory staff and managerial staff. 100 construction workers, 25 site supervisory staff and 5 managerial staff were selected randomly from sampled construction sites and their respective management. The data obtained was presented and analyzed by descriptive statistics. The findings showed an undesirable level of 32% (average) for PPE provision to construction workers and 36% of the workers were trained on PPE usage. 91 cases of injuries were attributable to lack of use of PPE or that could probably have been eliminated were reported. Effective enforcement on use of PPE by directorate of occupation health and safety services was noted to be lacking mainly due to inadequate funding, recruitment of staff, professional training for Occupation Health Safety practitioners and provision of tools and equipment. The researcher suggests, though Directorate of occupation health and safety services is the enforcing agent, the responsibility for use of PPE on construction site should lie principally with the contractors, employers and workers. This responsibility must be embedded in the management culture and practices of all organizations involved in the planning and execution of construction operations for successful safety programs specially workers training in relation to the use of PPE.