Investigation of the Availability of Occupational Health and Safety Related Documents on the Construction Sites in Windhoek, Namibia

Abstract

Background: Construction industry is regarded as dangerous industry with more occupational injuries and accidents. Documents related to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) should be utilised and kept in the construction sites to show that the construction sites are applying to national and international OHS legislation requirements. Objective: To review the documents to determine the presence of OHS related documents utilized on the construction sites in OHS provision. Methods: A quantitative, descriptive study was conducted among ten construction sites in Windhoek, Namibia to investigate the availability of OHS related documents in the study sites. Data were collected with the document review checklist. Data were analysed using SPSS software program. Results: The study found that many construction sites did not have OHS related documents which show poor compliance towards OHS national and international legislation requirement in OHS provision. Conclusion: The study concluded that absence of OHS related documents on the construction sites is negatively affecting the implementation of OHS on the construction sites It was recommended that employers should ensure that OHS program is developed at workplaces and OHS related documents should be available for utilization in all workplaces according to the legislative requirements.