The participants were asked to mention the type of standards and specifications they use when undertaking projects and who is responsible for setting them. The participants were also asked whether their firms have environmental and quality management systems, what kind of H&S standards they follow, and if the system for obtaining permits and certifications was transparent and easy to follow.
5.2.1 Standards and specifications in the Malawian construction industry
The participants mentioned that for building regulations, they are supposed to follow the National Building Regulations, but the regulations are still in draft form and have not been finalised. For roads and bridge works, the prescribed regulations are from the Ministry of Works and Supplies-Standard and Specifications. The participants also mentioned that they use some of the Malawi Bureau of Standards specifications in the construction industry. However, some participants mentioned that other standards in use worldwide are also used in the Malawian construction industry. Such standards include SATCC Standards and Specifications, the South African Standards, and the British Standards.
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A contractor mentioned that the type of standards or specification they use depends on who is financing the project, as most donors have their own standards and specifications that are followed irrespective whether the client is the government of Malawi. A consultant mentioned that most people are now migrating to South African Standards, since previously most people were using the British Standards which are also being replaced by the European Standards. The participant further mentioned that although the Malawi Bureau of Standards has some standards, they are basically adapted from South African Standards.
A client attributed the lack of building standards in Malawi to the lack of cooperation between the various institutions and organisations such as the Buildings Department, Malawi Institute of Architects, Malawi Institution of Engineers, Malawi Bureau of Standards, even the University of Malawi to work together and finalise the standards which are still in draft form, but he mentioned that the problem is that all these organisations and institutions are all working in isolation.
5.2.2 Environmental and quality management systems in the construction industry
Most of the participants, especially consultants and contractors, admitted that they do not have environmental and quality management systems in their organisation. They mentioned that they depend on whatever environmental and quality guidelines that are provided by the client. Only few participants claimed to have environmental and quality management systems within their firms with a person employed solely to look at the compliance of the systems within their organisations.
A construction participant mentioned that their firm is ISO certified, and they have developed their own quality management systems, some of which are ISO certified, he further mentioned that their firm has a branch that deals with environmental and management systems compliance including having an internal audit system.
While another construction participant mentioned that their firm is developing environmental and quality management systems in trying to abide by the ISO 9000. The participant mentioned that they have started training their employees in terms of safety and quality and at the same time top management is also undergoing training courses on the same. Another contractor participant mentioned that normally the client ask them to produce an environmental management plan for each project before they commence the works and works can only commence if the environmental management plan is approved.
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5.2.3 Health and Safety (H&S) standards in the Malawian construction industry
Participants mentioned that basic H&S measures are taken, especially for staff working on site. Very few participants mentioned having an H&S policy within their firms, since they mostly rely on the guidelines provided by the clients. One participant from the client side admitted that H&S is just a new concept which is just being pursued, and that specifications are being developed that should be followed on site. Some participants mentioned that they leave H&S issues to be the responsibility of the main contractor on site. However, most participants indicated that they do provide the essential H&S measures when carrying out their respective obligations on a project. The H&S measures provided include providing personal protective equipment (PPE) to staff, conducting HIV and AIDS awareness campaigns, and providing H&S signage on site. The participants also mentioned that there is lack of national guidelines for H&S management in the construction industry, and the existing generic guidelines are not being enforced.
One participant from a construction firm mentioned that their firm follows rigorous H&S standards with zero tolerance and the procedures that they have put in place are of international standards which are at the highest level. Another construction firm participant mentioned that the government needs to provide H&S guidelines, such as what is to be implemented when a project is commencing, what methods should be followed, who are the accredited organisations that can provide H&S awareness training and workshop to the employees on site.
5.2.4 Systems for permits and certifications
Some participants mentioned that systems for obtaining permits and certifications are easy to follow and are transparent. A participant from a construction firm mentioned that what is required is to prepare everything in good time as the contract clearly indicates what approvals will be required during the course of the contract and the fact that most of these approvals required have to go through several processes before they can finally be approved, so planning is very important. However, other participants differed on the issue of transparency as they have observed that some permits are issued under dubious circumstances, alluding to the fact that some corrupt practices may have taken place. While others mentioned that the systems are very complicated, rigorous and difficult to follow.
A participant from the client organisation mentioned that the NCIC systems are transparent and easy to follow as well as building plan approvals from city councils, but lamented that
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the building plans take too long to be approved. He mentioned that sometimes the councils have to be pushed, even reaching the extent of sponsoring special meetings for them to meet, in order for them to approve building plans.