Approaches to Improve the Occupational Health and Safety in the Construction Industry of Windhoek, Namibia

Abstract

Globally, the construction industry is regarded as a very dangerous industry due to the labour-intensive nature of the work resulting into a high rate of occupational accidents, injuries, diseases and fatalities. In Namibia, the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) status of workers in construction industries remains a challenge primarily due to the dearth of studies that investigate the health and safety of workers. The objectives of this study were to investigate the status of occupational health and safety in the construction industry in Windhoek, Namibia, with a view to recommend interventions that would improve occupational health and safety of workers in the targeted sector. A quantitative, descriptive study design was conducted among 549 participants from 13 construction sites that were operating at the time of conducting the study. Data were collected by means of an interviewer led questionnaire. SPSS version 23 was used to analyse data. The study identified a number of different approaches to be provided on construction industry for OHS improvement such as OHS programme implementation, training of workers on OHS aspects, provision of medical services to construction workers, adequate provision of welfare facilities, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provision. The study has proven that there is a need to improve the OHS in the construction industry to prevent occupational accidents, injuries, fatalities and diseases. The practical guidelines were developed which could be useful if implemented in construction sites to improve the OHS in the construction industry.