Factors that influence safety behavior and practices in building and construction in Mlolongo, Kenya.

Abstract

For the past few years, poor safety records in the conventional building construction industry have tarnished its reputation and image. Safety in working places is essential because it helps to motivate workers, reduces production costs, saves resources and help to reduce accident related diseases and injury to workers. The objectives of this study was to examine compliance with safety requirements, to investigate the behaviors, perceptions and attitudes associated with safety, to investigate management practices and associated documentation, and to establish what factors are significantly associated with safe behaviors or safety complianc~. The design adopted was a cross-sectional one based on a comparison of a representative sample of different sites in Mlolongo. A survey of construction operatives addressed the perception of risk, behavior in risk situations, attitudes and safety climate. Site management and others (including safety representatives) who have a role in safety management were interviewed concerning a . range of safety management functions and effectiveness and safety documentation on site was examined. There is a strong need for the company management to implement the improvement measures in order to further improve the construction safety management. The significance of this study was to identify the safety measures that should be used to improve safety in building and construction industries and how to implement them. I would recommend that all construction should comply with safety requirements and workers should have right attitude, perception and behavior that will improve safety.