Assessment of Occupational Safety and Health Practic Building Projects: A Case in Arbaminch

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the occupational health and safety practices of building construction in Arbaminch. Consequently, survey research design was used to accomplish the objective of the study. Mainly questionnaire was distributed to engineers and foremen in five high grade construction companies to collect the data on the level of health and safety conditions of construction activities. Descriptive analysis is used to summarize and interpret the data. Accordingly, the findings indicate that the overall safety and health condition in Arbaminch construction site is very poor. In addition there is very low level of implementation of OSH and EBCS 14 standards, rule and policies in the construction companies. Little training and orientation on OSH or EBCS 14 is given to employees, most of the construction companies do not have OSH/EBCS 14 components like written safety policy, safety officer, health and safety committee, hazard identification and reporting program, and properly placed safety signs. Based on the responses obtained from engineers/foremen, poor working conditions and environment, and lack of personal protective equipment are the main causes of accidents in the construction sector. On the other hand, foot and hand injuries, and falling from heights are the more frequently occurring types of accidents in the industry.