Construction Papers

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`

5

th

_{POST GRADUATE CONFERENCE ON}

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

Bloemfontein, South Africa 16 – 18 March 2008

All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any other information storage and retrieval systems now or to be invented, without permission from the copyright owners, the Construction Industry Development Board (cidb).

Permission is granted to quote from the PROCEEDINGS OF THE 5th_POST GRADUATE CONFERENCE ON CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT with the customary acknowledgement of the source.

Disclaimer

While every effort is made to ensure accuracy in this publication, the publishers and the editors make no representation, express or implied, with regard to the accuracy of the information contained in these proceedings and cannot accept any legal responsibility or liability in whole or in part for errors or omissions that may be made. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers and editors, neither do they endorse or guarantee any claims made by the authors of the papers in these proceedings. The reader should therefore verify the applicability of the information or particular situations and check the reference prior to any reliance thereupon.

Published by the Construction Industry Development Board (cidb), PO Box 2107, Brooklyn Square, 0075, South Africa.

www.cidb.org.za

ISBN No. 0-86886-758-6 - (CD ROM) Proceedings of the 5th Post Graduate cidb Conference, Bloemfontein 16-18 March 2008.

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PREFACE

This cidb Post Graduate Conference series is now recognized as an important event in South Africa, encouraging active debate amongst researchers, students and industry. South Africa has entered a period of sustained growth in infrastructure delivery, driven by increasing public and private sector investment. South Africa’s accelerated and shared growth initiative (ASGISA) recognizes the central role of infrastructure to our growing economy and a better life for all South Africans. The theme of this year’s conference – “construction as a cornerstone for economic growth and development” is therefore particularly relevant.

Hosted by the Construction Industry Development Board (cidb) and the University of the Free State, this 5th_ci_d_{b Post Graduate Conference brings together representatives from} a large number of tertiary institutions in South Africa. The papers presented at this conference cover a wide range of topics which are relevant to the development of our construction industry.

Active conference debate on research findings is important to the growth and development of our industry. So too are the opportunities for the growth and development of the researchers and other participants at this conference. Conferences such as these play an important role in the professional development of the skills base in our industry.

It is hoped that participants and delegates will leave the conference invigorated and further inspired to contribute to the body of knowledge as well as to create a research culture and network that will help to transform the construction industry in its pivotal role of socio-economic development in South Africa and on the continent. These proceedings expand the body of knowledge and provide valuable reference material for academics, researchers, students and practitioners. They also provide pointers towards future research for construction industry development.

The conference owes much to the hard work and commitment of the organising committee and I thank Prof Basie Verster, Dr Hendrik Marx, Mrs Elza van der Walt and Mrs Carol Winder of the University of the Free State. Thanks also go to Mr Pumelele Qongqo and Mr Sihle Dlungwana of the cidb. Gratitude is extended to the conference sponsor, Wiehahn (Pty) Ltd, for their valuable support. We gratefully acknowledge as well the important role played by both international and national members of the Scientific and Technical Committee without whose voluntary assistance in reviewing the papers we would not have had a conference.

Ronnie Khoza CEO, cidb

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PEER REVIEW PROCESS

In order to maintain and ensure the highest quality in these proceedings, a two-stage review process was followed. In terms of this process, each abstract received was considered in terms of:

• relevance to the conference theme and objectives; • originality of material;

• academic rigour;

• contribution to knowledge; and

• research methodology.

Authors whose abstracts were accepted were invited to submit their full papers, with initial proposals for improvement of papers. These papers were blind reviewed by not less than two acknowledged experts at least in terms of:

• relevance to the conference them and objectives; • originality of material;

• academic rigour;

• contribution to knowledge;

• research methodology;

• empirical research findings; and • critical current literature review.

There were 11 international and 23 local referees involved. Authors whose papers were accepted after review were provided with anonymous reviewers’ comments and requested to submit their revised papers. The editors of the proceedings finally reviewed these papers. Of the 66 original abstracts, 38 papers were finally accepted for presentation at the conference and inclusion in these proceedings.

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Scientific and Technical Committee

Prof A Akintoye, Glasgow-Caledonian University, UK Mr S Brown, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, UK D Dr N Chileshe, Sheffield Hallam University, UK

P Chynoweth, University of Salford, UK

Dr OJ Ebohon, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK Prof M Hoxley, Nottingham Trent University, UK

Mr A Kerin, ZPM Slovenian Project Management Association, Slovenia Dr J Mbachu, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand

Prof G Ofori, National University of Singapore, Singapore M Oladapo, Murty International Ltd, Nigeria

Dr E A L Teo, National University of Singapore, Singapore P Prof Y Ballim, University of the Witwatersrand, SA Prof F Buys, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, SA Dr MM Campbell, University of the Free State, SA

Prof K S Cattell, University of Cape Town, SA Prof C Cloete, University of Pretoria, SA

Dr A Geertsema, Tshwane University of Technology, SA

Dr R Haldenwang, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, SA Dr T Haupt, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, SA

Prof A Hauptfleisch, University of the Free State, SA Prof M Huchzermeyer, University of Witwatersrand, SA Dr A Karam, University of the Witwatersrand, SA Dr HJ Marx, University of the Free State, SA

Dr R Milford, Construction Industry Development Board, SA Dr J Ndambuki, Vaal University of Technology, SA

Dr D Root, University of Cape Town, SA

Pr Dr W Shakantu, University of Cape Town, SA

Prof P Slatter, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, SA Prof JJ Steÿn, University of the Free State, SA

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Prof G van Zijl, University of Stellenbosch, SA Prof JE van Zyl, University of Johannesburg, SA Prof JJP Verster, University of the Free State, SA Prof F Viruly, University of the Witwatersrand, SA Prof J A Wium, University of Stellenbosch, SA

The Construction Industry Development Board

Mandate

The Construction Industry Development Board is a Schedule3a public entity. It is committed to the development objectives defined in the CIDB Act (Act 38 of 2000) The cidb is a knowledge based organisation with a mandate to:

* Provide strategic leadership to construction industry stake holders and develop effective partnerships for growth, reform and improvement of the construction sector;

* Promote sustainable growth of the construction industry and the sustainable participation of the emerging sector in the industry;

* Promote improved performance and best practice of public and private sector clients, contractors and other participants in the construction delivery process; * Promote procurement and delivery management, the uniform application of policy throughout all spheres of government, uniform and ethical standards including a code of conduct;

* Establish the registration of projects and contractors and other suppliers, to systematically regulate and monitor the performance of the industry and its stake holders for sustainable growth, delivery and empowerment and for improved performance and capability.

For further information on the cidb visit the website on www.cidb.org.za, telephone 012 482 7200 or email cidb@cidb.org.za

CIDB Act 38 of 2000:

The act mandates the Board to “....promote appropriate research...” and “to develop, promote and update a construction industry research agenda that defines national development priorities”

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0 1 2 3 4 5 Loss of pr odu ctivi ty Disr uptio n of cur ren t wor k Trai ning c osts for r eplac em ents Dam ages to p lant, equ ipm ent.. . Cor rect ive a ctio ns to pre ven t ... Degr ada tion of e ffici ency Expe nditure s on emer gen cy . .. Slow dow ns in opera tions wh i.. cost s of wor kma n’s co mp ens. .. Me dica l paym ents Insu ran ce pre miu ms Cos ts o f re scue opera tions a.. Loss of f unc tion an d op era tio.. Paym ents f or s ettlem ents of i. .. Leg al fe es fo r def ens e aga inst ... incr eas ed i nsu rance cost s

Figure (2) economic impacts on construction companies

7 IDENTIFICATION AND QUANTIFICATION OF THE SOCIAL IMPACTS OF SITE ACCIDENTS

Site accidents have social impacts on the worker, his/her family, employer and community as a whole. Serious accident has the potential to induce a crisis within an organization since it will initiate investigations accompanied by the possibility of criminal proceedings and ultimately project closures. The employees go through a state of shock, people feeling overwhelmed with emotions of sympathy, loss and regret and in some instances guilt, and in essence the whole organisation is thrown into chaos socially due to this accident (Nichols, 1997). During this period, psychological stress and tension grow and there is a danger organisation managers that the organisation will become consumed with accusation and blame and that the energies may be diverted away from the construction tasks at hand. There is also a danger that the organization is thrown back into the defensive retreat phase. It is here that costs arise and social impacts which are intangible in the form of damaged interpersonal relations (Loosemore, 1999). When accidents in the construction industry occur, many of the hardworking laboures can feel betrayed, frustrated and often at times overwhelmed by the lack of legal options they are presented with (Withers, 1988).

7.1 Social Impacts of site accidents on the affected family

Interviews carried out with affected families identified the following social impacts of site accidents:: (1) loss/injury of family provider, (2) family depression, (3) loss of social welfare, (4) loss of worker to the community, (5) loss of the quality of life for individual workers and families. Analysis of responses

showed that the loss/injury of the family provider was ranked the highest impact with (mean of 4.8, median of 4.7 and mode 4.8 out 5 and RII 0.80), where the loss of worker to the community was ranked the least social impact on the family with (mean of 1.8, median of 1.6 and mode 1.7 of out of 5 and RII of .6), see figure (3) and table (2).

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Social Impacts on affected

family

Mean

Median

Mode

RII

loss/injury of family provider 4.8 4.7 4.8 .80

Family

depression

4.2 4.3 4.4 .75

loss of social welfares

3.6 3.5 3.4 .68

loss of the quality of life for

individual workers and

families

2.4 2.2 2.3 .63

0 1 2 3 4 5 Loss of worker to the community Loss of social welfare Family depression Loss of the quality

of life Loss/ injury of family provider

loss of worker to the community

1.8 1.6 1.7 .60 Figure (3) social impacts on affected families Table (2) the central tendency measures and RII for

the social impacts of site accidents on the families

7.2 Social Impacts on the construction company

Analysis of survey questionnaire showed that the social impacts on the construction company are: (1) depression of employees and work fellows, (2) loss of public confidence, (3) loss of company image, (4) loss of customer satisfaction and (5) degradation of morale. The depression of employees and work fellows was ranked the highest social impact with (mean of 4.6, median of 4.4, mode of 4.5 out of 5 and RII of 0.78). Degradation of morals was ranked the lease social impact with (mean of 2.5, median of 2.3, mode of 2.4 out of 5 and RII of 0.46).

Social Impacts on Construction Company

Mean

Median Mode

RII

depression of employees and work fellows

4.6 4.4 4.5 .78 loss of public confidence 4.1 1.3 4.2 .69 Lose of customer satisfaction 3.5 3.4 3.6 .61 loss of company image 2.9 2.7 2.8 .55

0 1 2 3 4 5

Degradation of morale Loss of company image Lose of customer satisfaction Loss of public confidence Depression of employees and work

fellows

degradation of morale 2.5 2.3 2.4 .46 Figure (4) social impacts on construction

companies

Table (3) the central tendency measures and RII for the social impacts of site accidents on construction companies

8 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Having reviewed the different types and causes of site accidents, the economic and social impacts of site accidents on the affected families and construction companies, the research may reach the following conclusions and recommendations to government, employers and employees:

The construction industry has one of the highest accident rates if compared with other industries.

Although there are many causes of site accidents, about 40% of the causes of site accidents are caused by falls, either by falling of people from above or falling of people from the same level. The main cause to people falling being either it is through their negligence or due to the fact

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that they do not obey the correct health and safety rules like wearing the appropriate personal

protective equipment at all times when working on heights.

Site accidents have influential impacts on affected families and construction companies. The

decrease in standard of living and the loss of productivity represent the highest ranked

economic impact on the affected families and construction companies respectively.

The loss/injury of the family provider and the depression of employees and work fellows

represent the highest social impact on the families and construction companies respectively.

The government should enforce the current health and safety procedures legislated and take

active plans to ensure that all construction companies follow the health and safety procedures

properly.

Construction companies have to adhere to the health and safety procedures as well as train and

educate their employees about health and safety procedures on site. Employers have to be much

stricter to individuals who violate safety rules. Construction firms have to appoint health and

safety officers to make safety a major priority in the construction site. Sub-contactors who do

not have good record of health and safety should not be considered during the process of

selecting sub-contractors.

Employees have to adhere and respect all safety rules placed on site. All employees have to

practice safe construction measures, wear required personal protective equipment on site and be

aware of their surroundings. In addition, they have to report any unsafe activities to

management.

REFERENCES

Abdelhamid, T. S. and Everett, J.G. 1998. Identifying root cause of construction accidents,

Construction engineering and Management, Vol. 126, No. 1, pp. 52-60.

Bauer, M. and Gaskell, G. 2000. Qualitative researching with text, image and sound. London:

Sage.

Bernard, H. R. 2000. Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches.

London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

Bowen and Hindle 1999. Customer Satisfaction: A Focus for Research and Practice in

Construction. Dept of Construction economics and management, Cape Town, South

Africa

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industry. In: Haupt, T and Smallwood, J. (Eds.) Rethinking and revitalising

Construction safety, health and quality. Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Davies, V.J. and Tomasin, K. 1990. Construction safety handbook, Thomas Telford, London

Department of Public works. 2000. [On line] available from: www.publicworks.gov.

Everret and Pathan 1998. Ergonomics, health, and safety in construction. Journal of

Construction Engineering and Management, vol. 150, no. 3, pp. 19-26,

Geminiani, F.L., Smallwood, J.J. and Van Wyk, J.J. 2005. A review of the effectiveness and

appropriateness of the occupational health and safety inspectorate in South Africa. In:

Haupt, T and Smallwood, J. (Eds.) Rethinking and revitalising Construction safety,

health and quality. Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Gloss, D.S. and Wardle, M.G. 1984. Introduction to safety engineering, John Wiley and Sons,

USA.

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Jersey.

Haupt, T.C. 2003. A study of management attitudes to a performance approach to construction

worker safety. Journal of construction research, Vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 87-100.

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Haupt, T.C. and Smallwood, J.J. 2003a. HIV/AIDS in construction: are older workers aware?.

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 42-53.

Haupt, T.C. and Smallwood, J.J. 2003b. HIV/AIDS in construction: are older workers aware?.

Construction Information Quarterly, Vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 3-6.

Hinze, J., Pedersen, C. and Fredley, J. 1998. Identifying root causes of construction injuries”

Construction Engineering and Management, Vol. 124, No. 1, pp.67-71.

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Engineering and Management, Vol. 117, no. 3, pp. 537-550.

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management systems in construction: Some insight from contractors. Journal of

Management and Engineering, Vol. 13, no. 5, pp. 70-75.

Kometa, S. T. and Olomolaiye, P. O. 1997. Evaluation of Factors Influencing Construction

Clients’ Decision to Build. Journal of Management in Engineering, Vol. 13, no. 2, 77-86.

Loosemore, M. 1999. The behavioural aftermath of accidents. International Journal of Project

Management, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 115-121.

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sites: a Soutj African Perspective. In: Haupt, T and Smallwood, J. (Eds.) Rethinking and

revitalising Construction safety, health and quality. Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Nichols, T. 1997 The sociology of industrial injury, Mansell, London.

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CLIENT COMMITMENT AND ATTITUDE TO

CONSTRUCTION HEALTH AND SAFETY IN BOTSWANA

Musonda I.

1

, Smallwood J.

2

1 Department of Construction Management, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, [email protected], Tel: +27(0)11 406 2911

2 Department of Construction Management, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, [email protected], Tel: +27 (0) 41 504 2790, Fax: + 27 (0)41 504 2345

ABSTRACT

Purpose of the paper– The purpose of this paper is to present findings of a preliminary

survey on the extent to which clients are involved in construction health and safety

(H&S) implementation in Botswana.

Methodology – A questionnaire survey was conducted on construction projects to

establish the extent to which clients are involved in construction H&S. Physical

observations were also conducted on construction sites in order to relate questionnaire

responses to what was actually obtained on sites.

Findings – Findings from the survey include: clients do not perceive H&S to be very

important on construction projects, most clients do not address H&S adequately in

contract documentation and H&S is rarely a major agenda item in progress meetings.

Findings were also that clients are not fully committed to H&S implementation.

Literature informs that the above are some of the important areas in which clients could

show commitment and influence H&S performance.

Value – The importance of the client to H&S implementation and performance

improvement has been recognised by various researchers. This paper however provides

an insight on the extent to which the client is involved and committed to construction

H&S in Botswana.

Keywords: Botswana, client, commitment, construction, health and safety

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Research conducted by the authors in Botswana revealed that the level of H&S awareness

in the construction industry is low, H&S legislation is not complied with, the

management of contractors is not committed to H&S implementation, there is a lack of

H&S management systems, procedures and protocol and designers do not adequately

participate in the implementation of H&S (Musonda & Smallwood 2005: 116). A similar

study conducted by Ooteghem (2006: 43) revealed that occupational accidents and

fatalities continue to be recorded in Botswana. Between the period 2000 and 2003, a total

of 251 occupational fatalities were registered with the workmen’s compensation authority

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from all sectors (Ooteghem 2006: 43). 96 Accidents in the construction sector alone were

registered with the workmen’s compensation during the same period.

It is estimated that about 4% of the gross domestic product world wide, is lost due to

work related accidents and disease. A study conducted in Europe recently, showed that

accident costs as a percentage of GDP ranged between 2.5 % and 6% excluding Great

Britain and Norway which was determined to be 1% and 10% respectively

(

www.oit.org/public/english/protection/safework/papers/ecoanal/ecoview.htm

).

Research also shows that the construction industry’s injury rate is still 50% higher than

that of all industries (Huang & Hinze, 2006). The injury rate is also almost twice more

than other industries such as manufacturing.

Although quite a lot has been done to address H&S performance improvement including

change to regulations in most parts of the World, research still shows that accidents still

occur and the construction industry is still one of the most dangerous industries.

Sawacha, Naoum & Fong records that in construction the risk of a fatality is five times

more likely than a manufacturing based industry, whilst the risk of a major injury is two

and half time higher (1999).

Despite much having been done on H&S, the focus of most studies on construction H&S

has been on contractors management and design & build firms (Hinze & Gambetese

2001: 159). Studies such as one by Jaselkis, Anderson & Russell (1996), Toole (2002)

and Huang & Hinze (2006) on H&S performance have focused more on factors that do

not significantly address clients’ role, involvement and attitude on H&S in the

construction industry. This research will therefore build on what has already been done

on the subject and explore more on client commitment and attitude in H&S management.

This research is very important and contributes to the body of knowledge on H&S

because very little work has explored the attitude and commitment of clients to H&S. Yet

most scholars have recognised and affirm that clients can influence H&S. In order to

improve H&S performance, attention has to be paid to client role. Huang and Hinze

(2006: 164) in their paper on client’s role on H&S argue that the involvement of clients

(owners) is an essential requirement for the zero injuries objective. Other researchers

have also recognised the importance of the client in the management of H&S. Suraji et al

(2006: 55) and Smallwood (1998: 188) maintain that construction H&S can be

successfully influenced by clients. Clients have a positive role to play in lowering injury

rates

2.0 LITERATURE

REVIEW

2.1 CLIENT ROLE IN CONSTRUCTION H&S

Striving for enhanced H&S performance will remain elusive if the client is not actively

involved especially in Southern Africa. Huang and Hinze (2006a: 164) rightly argue that

the involvement of clients or owners is an essential requirement for the achievement of

the zero injuries objective. Other researchers have also recognised the importance of the

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client in the management of H&S. Suraji, Sulaiman, Mahyuddin, and Mohamed (2006:

55) and Smallwood (1998: 188) noted that construction H&S can be successfully

influenced by clients. Clients have a positive role to play in lowering injury rates

(Smallwood, 1998: 188)

To emphasise the point that clients are very important in the management of H&S, Suraji,

Duff and Peckitt (2001: 338) argue in their paper on accident causation that construction

accidents are caused by inappropriate responses to certain constraints and the

environment. They observed for example that the client responses are the actions or

failure to act in response to constraints that emerge during the development of the project

scope. According to them, these include reducing the project budget, adding new project

criteria, changing project objectives and accelerating the design or construction efforts of

the project. All of which are factors that impact on H&S and are directly influenced by

clients.

2.2 CLIENT INVOLVEMENT

A proactive management of H&S as argued by Hinze, requires that a safety approach be

adopted that is not dependent on the monitoring of injuries after they occur (lagging

indicators of performance) (2005: 1). Rather than basing safety actions on measures of

failure a shift in thinking is needed whereby the focus is on those actions that can lead to

good safety performance (leading indicators of performance) ( Hinze, 2005: 1). Leading

indicators and management of these is what will contribute greatly to H&S performance

improvement. This function is better performed by the client. Huang et al breaks down

the above function into a list of activities which are essentially broad areas in which

clients can and should exert influence on H&S as being: setting H&S objectives;

selecting suitable contractors in terms of H&S and participating in H&S management

(2006: 174). Smallwood goes even further and breaks down the broad areas and argue

that clients should:

• provide financial support;

• include H&S as a prequalification criteria;

• schedule H&S requirements prior to bidding process;

• issue contract documentation that is structured to allow for H&S and,

• Conduct audits in H&S (1998: 182).

Considering clients’ influence and potential to effectively manage leading indicators,

clients should therefore input adequate resources into construction H&S instead of

relying on contractors to improve H&S in the construction industry (Huang et al 2006:

180).

Clients have not been significantly involved in H&S. As argued by Smallwood, the major

agencies of client influence have been prescriptive, regulatory or coercive measures as

opposed to upstream proactive measures such as ones identified above including design,

detail and specification and more importantly prioritisation (1998: 185). Clients do not

spend enough resources in addressing H&S in the preliminary stages rather would like to

address the problem following accidents or incidents.

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2.3 H&S

LEADERSHIP

H&S performance improvement also depends on the extent to which construction-project

clients provide leadership on H&S matters. Loosemore, Lingard, Walker, and Mackenzie

(1999: 884) also identified the importance of this and recommends that the lead must

come from clients themselves. Without this, they argue, the construction industry has a

long way to go in changing attitudes towards H&S. Levitt and Samuelson (1993: 215)

also argue that monitoring, which is one of the activities in providing leadership, makes a

difference, and that excellent H&S performance can be obtained with the active

participation of clients, even from average contractors. If the clients are taking the lead,

they must know exactly what is required to develop a detailed comprehensive brief for

the design team and to issue H&S specifications. Further, as suggested by Suraji et al

(2006: 49) the client must take responsibility for preventing accidents. The client should

carefully consider H&S control in ordering works, exercising supervision, and providing

instructions. Huang et al (2006a: 181) also asserts that clients set the H&S culture for a

project.

3.0 RESEARCH

METHODOLOOGY

The study was quantitative and was aimed at determining the level of client commitment

to H&S on construction projects. Therefore, the survey instrument needed to be designed

so as to capture clients’ actions or lack thereof, and the perceptions of contractors as they

are the direct implementers of project goals. Because of the type of data that was

required, the survey of supervisory staff on construction sites using questionnaires,

coupled with physical observations was deemed to constitute the best method to conduct

the research.

Questionnaires were preferred to face-to-face interviews because the researchers are of

the view that respondents find it easier to answer questionnaires in privacy and their spare

time. On the negative side, the response rate is usually lower with questionnaires that

have to be returned. Questionnaires are also a good way of obtaining information because

it is cheap and less time consuming. A pilot study was conducted in the preliminary

stages. From the questionnaires that were sent out at this stage, the response rate was

determined as being between 50% and 70% as slightly more than 60% responded.

The questionnaire was designed to address, inter alia, the clients’ level of participation or

commitment to H&S on construction projects. Both open and closed ended types of

questions were used. Care was also taken to avoid bias by providing for alternative

responses by related and preceding closed questions. Respondents were asked to ‘state or

specify’. Closed questions were posed before open-ended questions. Rating scales were

also used for respondents to mark the level of importance, frequency, or severity.

On the clients’ level of commitment, the evaluation was conducted through the following

questions:

• Evidence of active participation, as seen in the client project meetings, by

establishing whether H&S was a major agenda item;

• Respondents’ view on how clients and designers regarded H&S in relation to

other factors on a construction project;

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• The purpose of the third question was to identify the respondents’ opinion on

how H&S could best be improved; client and designer participation is also

included to assess whether respondents deemed it important, and

• The extent to which clients and designers address H&S in contract documents.

3.1 ANALYSIS OF DATA

The Primary data that was obtained through questionnaires and physical observations that

was obtained by using checklists was analysed and interpreted relative to the literature

review. From the above, inferences were drawn regarding the larger and general practice

relative to client commitment to H&S.

Percentages and scores were calculated for various responses and observations.

The calculation of scores was done to establish the order of importance or severity. This

was done on a five point scale and a score was allocated to each factor as shown in Table

1. Scores for each factor was arrived at by adding up multiples of the opinion and the

number of respondents that were of the particular opinion.

Table 1: Opinion marks on the level of importance.

Opinion

Mark

Very important

Important

Fairly important

Slightly important

Not important

25

20

15

10

5 3.2 THE

POPULATION

The selection of the sample stratum was based on the following:

• The number of registered building contractors that were currently undertaking

projects in Gaborone, Botswana;

• Limitations of time and financial resources, and

• Anticipated response rate.

A pilot survey conducted before the study revealed that there were about 47 building

construction sites in and around Gaborone. For such small populations of less than 100

there is little point in sampling (Leady and Ormrod 2001: 221). As the result the entire

population was surveyed.

The study excluded private homebuilders and civil engineering contractors. The

justification for this delimitation was the time limit, resources, and the difficulty in

obtaining information, especially from private homebuilders.

For the sample to be representative, it was necessary that all categories be represented in

the study. The Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board (PPADB) categorisation is

(26)

based upon five categories: for projects worth up to P0.5 Million, between P0.5 Million

and P1 Million, between P1 Million and P4 Million, and more than P10 Million.

A sample of 40 contractors was arrived at. Each category contributed 8 contractors. The

only exception was the lowest category because there were only 5 building construction

sites at the time. 3 more construction sites were randomly selected for the survey.

Although some building contractors were working on more than 1 construction site, only

1 site was selected for each building contractor. As there were at least 47 active

construction sites within Gaborone during the research period, this meant that all the

contractors were surveyed. Table 2 tabulates the summary of the sample stratum.

Questionnaires were addressed to site managers, site engineers, and site agents as they

are at operational level and are able to relate what actually transpires on projects. This

group was viewed as being of sufficient knowledge and impartial relative to top

management and the actual practice on sites and their perception of the client.

Site observations were conducted for all 40 contractors that had been interviewed.

Checklists were used to record or tick off the observed elements on sites.

3.3 RESPONSE

RATES

In total, 40 questionnaires were distributed to building contractors. 25 questionnaires

were completed and collected by the researcher, which equates to a response rate of

62.5%. Response rates for all categories are as tabulated below in Table 3. Category B is

the only category that recorded a 100% response rate and the lowest category recorded

only 20%. The poor response rate from the lower categories was possibly the result of the

owners of organisations managing most sites. The problem could have been that they

were too busy, or that they may have been concerned regarding the potential to exposure

of any shortcomings.

Table 2: Sample stratum

Category Value

(P)

Sites

Surveys

Observations

OC

A

B

C

D & E

Total

< 500 000

> 500 000 < 1 000 000

> 1 000 000 < 4 000 000

> 4 000 000 < 10 000 000

>10 000 000

5

11

10

8

13

47

5

8

11

40

5

8

11

40

(27)

Table 3: Questionnaire response rates

Category Value (P)

Response (No.)

Response rate (%)

OC

A

B

C

D & E

Total

< 500 000

> 500 000 < 1 000 000

>1 000 000 < 4 000 000

> 4 000 000 < 10 000 000

> 10 000 000

1

3

8

6

7

25

20.0

37.5

100.0

75.0

63.6

62.5 4.0 FINDINGS

Respondents were required to indicate how frequently H&S audits and inspections were

conducted by clients and other key stakeholders. With respect to clients’ commitment to

H&S, 56% of the respondents indicated that clients had ‘never’ conducted H&S audits

and inspections, and 28% ‘rarely’ (Table 4). These findings can be compared to 40% of

the respondents who indicated that contractors’ top management ‘never’ conducted H&S

audits and inspections, 36% ‘rarely’, and 20% ‘often’. This indicates slightly more

commitment by contractors than clients. Only 8% of the respondents indicated that

clients ‘often’ conducted audits and inspections. None of the respondents indicated that

clients ‘always’ conducted audits and inspections. The clients’ leadership in H&S and

thus commitment is even more questionable as over 50% of the respondents indicated

that neither the supervising consultants nor the Government Factories Inspector

conducted H&S audits and inspections. Supervising consultants are directly answerable

to clients. The above may probably confirm the respondents perception that clients

consider cost, time and quality to be more important than H&S (Table 7).

Table 4: Frequency of audits and inspections by all stakeholders

Response (%)

Entity

Never

Rarely Sometimes

Often

Always

Contractor top management

Client

Supervising consultants

Factories Inspector

Civil organisations

40.0

56.0

52.0

56.0

84.0

36.0

28.0

20.0

32.0

4.0

0.0

8.0

16.0

8.0

20.0

8.0

12.0

4.0

0.0

0.0 Apart from inspections, site project meetings are important events where all issues

regarding H&S can be raised and discussed. To indicate the extent of participation by

clients and designers or supervising consultants, the position that they accord to H&S on

the agenda of project site meetings would be used for measurement. This is all the more

true because they mostly visit the sites at the time of these meetings. Question 2,

therefore, sought to determine whether H&S was a major agenda item during client

progress meetings. 28% of respondents indicated that H&S was a major item on the

agenda and 72% that it was not (Table 6).

Construction Papers

5

POST GRADUATE CONFERENCE ON

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

Bloemfontein, South Africa 16 – 18 March 2008

PREFACE

PEER REVIEW PROCESS

Scientific and Technical Committee

The Construction Industry Development Board

Contents

Health Safety and Environment

Empowerment and Emerging Contractors

THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPACTS OF SITE ACCIDENTS

ON THE SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIETY

Mthalane D

, Othman AAE

and Pearl, RG

ABSTRACT

Purpose of this paper - This paper aims to identify and quantify the economic and social impacts of

site accidents on the South African society.

Methodology/Scope – Literature review is used to identify the different types and causes of site

accidents as well as their economic and social impacts. Survey Questionnaire, is used to confirm the

identified impacts, add new ones that reflect the South African context and quantify the social and

economical impacts of site accidents on the construction company. Interviews carried out with affected

families to identify the social and economical impacts of site accidents on their life and activities.

Findings - 40% of the causes of site accidents are resulted from falling of people due to their

negligence or not adhering to health and safety regulations. The decrease in standard of living and the

loss of productivity represent the highest economic impacts on the affected families and construction

companies respectively. The loss/injury of the family provider and the depression of employees and

work fellows represent the highest social impacts on the families and construction companies

respectively.

Practical implications - The government should enforce the current H&S procedures and take active

actions to ensure the applications of H&S procedures on site. Construction firms have to follow the

H&S procedures, train all their employees, be stricter to individuals who violate H&S rules, appoint

safety representatives to make safety a major priority in the construction site. Employees have to

adhere and respect all H&S rules placed on site, practice safe construction measures, wear required

personal protective equipment, be aware of their surroundings and report any unsafe activities to

management.

Value - Although the area of H&S is well researched, little attention has been paid to study the

economic and social impacts of site accidents on the South African Society. It provides a real

contribution to the original body of knowledge through filling the gap in this area of research. The

research presents a set of recommendations for the government, construction companies and employees

as an approach to improve the image of H&S in the South African construction industry.

Keywords: economic and social impacts, site accidents, South African society, health and safety

procedures.

1 INTRODUCTION

The construction industry is an important player in the economy of South Africa. It contributes 35% of

the total gross domestic fixed investment and employs approximately 240,000 employees. The South

African government is the single biggest construction client, making up between 40-50 % of the entire

construction expenditure (Department of Public Works, 2000). Despite its pivotal role in social and

economic development, the construction industry is considered a risky business and poses more

dangers than any other industry (Brace and Gibb, 2005). While Health and Safety (H&S) are the

responsibility of every one at work (Davies and Tomasin, 1990), construction companies have to be

aware that they are responsible for managing and improving issues related to H&S on construction

sites. This is because construction, to a large extent, is a labour intensive industry and depends on the

availability and wellbeing of workers to complete current and future projects (Haupt, 2003, Massyn et

al., 2005). Literature review showed that the topic of H&S has been covered from different

perspectives. For instance, Hubbard (1986) focused on the relevance of construction safety professions

in the construction industry and what these professionals can do to reduce site accidents. In addition,

Abdelhamid and Everett (1998), Everret and Pathan (1998) and Hinze, et al., (1998) identified the root

causes of construction accidents and injuries. Furthermore, Bowen and Hindle (1999) investigated the

problem of site accidents and its causes as well as how these accidents can best be controlled. Haupt,

Smallwood and others studied many aspects of construction workers' health and safety including: the

influence of design on health and safety during construction (Smallwood, 2004), performance approach

to safety management (Haupt, 2003), workers’ compensation premium fraud, safety and health

interventions, impacts of diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS on construction workers (Haupt

and Smallwood, 2003 a & b), the plight of aging construction workers (Smallwood and Haupt, 2003) as

well as the occupational health and appropriate health interventions such as medical surveillance

(Geminiani et al., 2005). In spite of the valuable contribution of these studies, the topic of the economic

and social impacts of site accidents on the South African society has received little attention in

construction literature. In an endeavour to overcome the limitation of research in this important area

and to provide valuable input to the original body of knowledge, this paper aims to identify and

quantify the economic and social impacts of site accidents on the South African society.

2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND SAMPLING

A research methodology, consisted of literature review, interviews and questionnaires, is designed to

achieve the abovementioned aim. Firstly, literature review is used to identify the different types and

causes of site accidents as well as their economic and social impacts. Secondly, in order to investigate

the perspective of construction companies, survey questionnaires were developed and sent to directors

of construction companies to confirm the identified impacts, add new ones that reflect the South

African context and quantify the social and economical impact of site accidents on the construction

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