The role of project managers in construction health and safety implementation in Ghana
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Date
2021-06-22
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Abstract
Project performance measurement has moved from the traditional key performance indicators of
time, cost and scope (quality) to include safe delivery of projects. The objectives of the study
were to identify health and safety practices in the construction industry in Ghana; the importance
of health and safety and other project parameters to PMs. Additionally, the studied examined the
frequency at which PMs consider health and safety relative to various design activities; and the
frequency at which various procurement related situations, which affect health and safety, are
treated by PMs. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 48 licensed PMs involved in
construction projects in Ghana. Data was collected with the help of structured questionnaires.
Data was analysed using relative importance index, means and standard deviation with the help
of SPSS. The study found out that most construction firms in Ghana had specific budget for
health and safety for most construction projects. The study revealed that PMs allocated between
1% to 5% of the total project cost to health and safety. The study revealed that a number of
accident cases at the construction sites go unreported to the appropriate agencies of state. In fact,
the study established that most accident cases at the construction sites are handled internally. The
study established that client satisfaction was the most important parameter to consider in project
management. It was revealed that, PMs made reference to health and safety at various stages of
the project relative to design activities. Structural frame, method of fixing, edge of materials
were the key design activities that caused PMs to make frequent reference to health and safety. It
was further established that PMs referred to health and safety when confronted by all the
procurement related situations. The study recommended that resourcing of the factory
inspectorate department with vehicles and personnel to carry out its mandate and PMs must be
re-oriented to consider health and safety as being critical for project success.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Institute of Distance Learning, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the Degree of Master of Science.
Keywords
Project, Managers in construction, Health, Ghana