a study on the pattern of occupational accidents at building construction sites in kampala uganda

Luwalaga John Groover, 2009-MPH-FT-010, Research Dissertation, IHSU

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A STUDY ON THE PATTERN OF OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENTS AT

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION SITES IN KAMPALA DISTRICT

A POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH DISSERTATION PRESENTED TO THE

INSTITUTE OF HEALTH POLICY AND MANAGEMENT IN PARTIAL

FULFILMENT OF THE AWARD OF THE MASTERS OF SCIENCE IN

PUBLIC HEALTH (MPH)

INTERNATIONAL HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY

BY

LUWALAGA JOHN GROOVER,

2009 – MPH – FT – 010

B.Eng. Civil (KYU), H. Dip. Civil (KYU), Dip. Arch. (UPK)

SUPERVISOR

DR. MBABAZI REGINA

SENIOR LECTURER, IHPM, IHSU

DECEMBER, 2010


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TABLE OF CONTENT

TABLE OF CONTENT ..................................................................................................... 2

LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................... 6

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS .............................................................................................. 7

ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................... 8

DEFINITIONS .............................................................................................................. 10

CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................ 14

INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 14

Introduction ............................................................................................................... 14

Background of the Study ............................................................................................... 14

Summary of Uganda‟s Industrial fatal accidents investigated by OSH Department between 2002 and

2009 ........................................................................................................................ 18

Problem Statement....................................................................................................... 21

General Objective of the Study ....................................................................................... 22

Specific Objectives ...................................................................................................... 22

Research Questions ...................................................................................................... 22

Significance of the Study ............................................................................................... 22

Justification of the Study ............................................................................................... 23

CHAPTER TWO ........................................................................................................... 24

LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................................. 24

Introduction ............................................................................................................... 24

Overview .................................................................................................................. 24

Conceptual framework .................................................................................................. 25

Occupational accidents that occur on building construction sites .............................................. 26

Causes of building construction site accidents ..................................................................... 29

Prevention of accidents on the building construction site ....................................................... 36

Summary of the literature review ..................................................................................... 38

CHAPTER THREE ........................................................................................................ 40

METHODOLOGY AND DATA COLLECTION ................................................................... 40

Introduction ............................................................................................................... 40

Scope of the Study ....................................................................................................... 40

Research Design ......................................................................................................... 42


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Sample Size and Sample Size determination ....................................................................... 42

Data Collection methods ............................................................................................... 44

Observation: By visiting the various sites and moving around, a number of working environmental

conditions of exposure of the workers were able to be seen. ................................................ 44

Oral interviews: This was actually used were some people or participants were unable to understand

the language used on questionnaires. ............................................................................. 44

Photography: Some photographs were taken, portraying the conditions prevailing on sites. These

show the physical state of the problems and give a very vivid elaboration in a pictorial form. ....... 44

Study Population: The population comprised workers on the government or public building

construction sites, private building construction sites and individual developers who were by the

time of research were operating and under contracts. ......................................................... 44

Research Instrument ................................................................................................. 44

Materials/Apparatus: Internet services, training manuals, hand outs, and computer programs were

used. ..................................................................................................................... 45

Research Procedure ..................................................................................................... 45

Ethical consideration and approval ................................................................................... 47

Data processing .......................................................................................................... 47

Data Analysis ............................................................................................................. 47

Limitations of the study/problems faced during the study ....................................................... 48

CHAPTER FOUR .......................................................................................................... 50

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS ......................................................................... 50

Introduction ............................................................................................................... 50

Part 1: Worker‟s Personal Data ....................................................................................... 50

Part 2: Accident and Site Conditions ................................................................................ 60

Part 3: Factors attributed to building construction accidents .................................................... 68

DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS ........................................................................................... 78

Introduction ............................................................................................................... 78

Part 1: Respondents‟ personal data ................................................................................... 78

Part 2: Accidents and Site conditions ................................................................................ 83

Part 3: Factors attributed to construction accidents ............................................................ 88

Top 11 out of 30 factors likely to cause occupational accidents on building construction site in

Kampala ................................................................................................................... 90


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Detailed discussion of the results on the three different groups of occupational building construction

accidents ................................................................................................................... 91

Factors attributed to the management ............................................................................ 91

Worker related factors ............................................................................................... 93

Project related factors ................................................................................................ 94

Possible policies or other suggestions ............................................................................... 95

The Town and Country Planning Act – 1951 ................................................................... 95

The occupational Safety and Health Act – 2006 ............................................................... 95

The Public Health Act – 1935 ...................................................................................... 95

The Health and Safety at work Act 1974 ........................................................................ 95

Work – Place (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 .............................................. 96

Safety Equipments .................................................................................................... 96

Accident monitoring ................................................................................................. 97

Attending to an accident............................................................................................. 97

CHAPTER SIX .............................................................................................................. 98

RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION ..................................................................... 98

Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 98

Recommendations ..................................................................................................... 113


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LIST OF TABLES

Table 1.1: Distribution of fatalities in the investigated accidents per industry. ........................... 17

Table 4. 18: representations of rankings/scores .................................................................... 68

Table 4. 19: Numerical values of degree of acceptance, undecided-ness and rejection by respondents 69

Table 4. 20: Demonstrations of computations involved in analysis of raw data ............................. 69

Table 4. 21: Common likely causes of accidents/hazards on building construction sites ................. 70

Table 4. 22: Likely causes of accidents on building construction site ......................................... 73

Table 5. 1: The ranking of factors contributing to occupational building construction accidents ........ 88


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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 3.1: Summary of research procedure (source: secondary data)....................... 46

Figure 4. 1: Gender of respondents working on building construction site (source: primary data) ..... 51

Figure 4. 2: Age group of the respondents (Source: Primary data) ........................................... 52

Figure 4. 3: Job titles of the respondents (Source: primary data) .............................................. 53

Figure 4. 4: Educational background of the respondents on the building construction site (Source:

primary data) ................................................................................................................ 54

Figure 4. 5: Years of experience of the respondents (Source: Primary data) ................................ 55

Figure 4. 6: Income per day of the respondents on the building construction site. (Source: primary

data) ........................................................................................................................... 56

Figure 4. 7: Health history of the respondents (Source: primary data) ....................................... 57

Figure 4. 8: Exact health problem of the respondents (source: primary data) ............................... 58

Figure 4. 9: Where the respondents stay after work (source: primary data) ................................. 59

Figure 4. 10: Division of Kampala where the site is located (source: primary data) ...................... 60

Figure 4. 11: category of ownership of the building construction site (source: primary data) .......... 61

Figure 4. 12: Type of accident that has ever occurred on the building construction site. (Source:

primary data) ................................................................................................................ 62

Figure 4. 13: Periods when accidents have ever occurred. (Source: primary data) ........................ 63

Figure 4. 14: Weather conditions during which accidents have ever occurred (Source: primary data) 64

Figure 4. 15: Months in which accidents have ever occurred (source: primary data) ..................... 65

Figure 4. 16: whether the contractor has any insurance policy for the workers (source: primary data)

.................................................................................................................................. 66

Figure 4. 17: Safety gears on the building construction site (source: primary data) ....................... 67

Figure 4. 18: Accident factors attributed to management (Source: primary data) .......................... 75

Figure 4. 19: Accident factors attributed to the workers (source: primary data) ............................ 75

Figure 4. 20: Accident factors attributed to the project (source: primary data) ............................. 76


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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

UBOS Uganda Bureau of Statistics

NGOs Non Governmental Organizations

KCC Kampala City Council

GDP Gross Domestic Product

GNP Gross National Product

ILO International Labour Organization

US United States of America

UGX Uganda Shillings

OSHD Occupational Safety and Health Department

NSSF National Social Security Fund

IHSU International Health Sciences University

UK United Kingdom

UIPE Uganda Institute of Professional Engineers

URA Uganda Revenue Authority


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ABSTRACT

Uganda has experienced a high economic growth of over 8% p.a as a result of

liberalisation of the economy. This has positively impacted the construction industry which has

grown at an average rate of over 10% between 1995 and 2009. This high growth rate of the

construction industry has influenced the Growth National Product and directly provides

employment to many Ugandans and foreigners.

However, the construction industry has become the most hazardous industry in this

country and the world over by presenting more accidents, injuries, ill health and occupational

diseases than any other industry. Examples of the widely published common accidents include

collapsing of structures, cave-ins of excavations, falls from heights, dropping objects striking

workers, machine hazards, and many others.

This research revealed that these occupational accidents on construction sites emanate

from poor safety culture due to lack of awareness of safety requirements, inadequate site

management, supervision land inspection, insufficient soil investigation, use of incompetent

personnel, use of faulty designs, use of poor construction materials, non-compliance to safety

rules due to weakness in legislation and enforcement organs.

The occupation accidents, disease and ill health in the building construction industry can

be more effectively mitigated by matching the technological advancement in the industry with

re-engineering of occupational health and safety strategies and ideas; and by using proactive

approaches that focus on occupational health and safety comprehensive programmes other than

merely on giving employer directives that involve the provision of personal protective gears to

employees. Emphasis need to be put on dissemination of information on safety to the workers


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and public through awareness campaigns, safety education and training in addition to provision

of adequate site management, supervision and inspections.


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DEFINITIONS

Site: Site in relation to any buildings includes offices, outbuildings, yards, courts or gardens

occupied or intended to be occupied with the buildings. (Town and Country Planning act – 1951)

Erect: Erect in reference to a dwelling or room includes alter, add to, or convert into. (Public

Health Act – 1935)

Public building: Public building means a building used or constructed or adapted to be used

either ordinarily or occasionally as a place of public worship or as a theatre, public hall, or as a

public place of assembly for persons admitted by ticket or otherwise, or used or adapted to be

used for any other public purpose. (Public Health Act – 1935)

Bodily Injury: Bodily Injury includes injury to health. (Occupational Safety and Health Act –

2006)

Building operation: Building operation means the construction, structural alteration, repair or

maintenance of a building (including re-painting, re-decoration and external cleaning of the

structure), the demolition of a building but does not include any operation which is a work of

engineering construction. (Occupational safety and Health Act – 2006)

Competent person: Competent person means a person with suitable training and sufficient

knowledge, experience and skill for the performance of specific work. (Occupational Safety and

Health Act – 2006)

Fatal occupational injury: Fatal occupational injury means occupational injury leading to death.

(Occupational Safety and Health Act – 2006)

Health: Health in relation to work means not merely the absence of diseases or infirmity, it

includes the physical and mental elements affecting health which are indirectly or directly related

to safety and hygiene at work. (Occupational Safety and Health Act – 2006)


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Non-Fatal Occupational injury: on-Fatal Occupational injury means occupational injury which

does not lead to death. (Occupational Safety and Health Act – 2006)

Occupational accident: Occupational accident means an occurrence arising out of or in the

course of work which results in fatal occupational injury or non-fatal occupational injury.

(Occupational Safety and Health Act – 2006)

Occupational disease: Occupational disease means a disease contracted as a result of an exposure

to risk factors arising from a work activity. (Occupational Safety and Health Act – 2006)

Worker: Worker means a person who performs work regularly or temporarily for an employer

and includes a public officer. (Occupational Safety and Health Act – 2006)

Working Environment or Work place: Working Environment or Work place means all places of

work, sites and areas where work is carried out including not only the permanent, indoor,

stationary places of work, such as factories, offices, and shops but also temporary places of work

such as Civil Engineering sites, open-air places such as fields, forests, roads, oil refineries and

mobile places of work such as cabs of trucks, seats of tractors and excavators, ships, galleys

freights decks of aircraft, and without exception; places where workers are found as a

consequence of their work (including canteens and living quarters on board ships). (Occupational

Safety and Health Act – 2006)

Hazard Mitigation: Hazard Mitigation according to the Stafford Act: (44 CFR 206:401), means

any action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from

natural hazard.

Mitigation: Mitigation is the ongoing effort to lessen the impact of natural disasters on people

and property.


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Personal protection gears: Personal protection gear is designed to be the last resort in action if an

accident occurs. Supposing that all other safety measures have been carried out if there is still an

unpredictable failure the personal protection gear will save the lives of the workers if it is

properly used and maintained. The protection gear should be checked for usability each time

before use; and used correctly as instructed by the company‟s safety management, training and

education courses or governmental department guidelines. (Labour Department Occupational

safety and Health council, 2004b)

Site safety plan: Site safety plan is defined as a building and construction site specific document

that demonstrates an organization‟s means of compliance with the occupational safety and

Health Act, 2006; and includes but not limited to the following:

Assignment of responsibilities for onsite implementation;

Hazard identification methods;

Accident investigation and report methods;

Site emergency procedures;

Site communication strategy;

Strategy for the coordination of on site trade activities;

Site audit procedures

(http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do viewed on 20/08/2010)

Building: Building means any building, erection or any other structure erected on or made on, in

or under any lands and includes the land on or under which the building is situated. (Town and

Country planning Act – 1951)

http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do


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Stake holders: Stake holders are persons or companies that are involved in a particular

organisation, project or system especially because they have rested interest in it. In construction,

the main stake holders include the client, contractor, contractor‟s employees,

Designers/Architect, suppliers and manufacturers of materials and goods used on site, local

authority operatives among others. Nevertheless, safety is a concern for all in the industry from

the top management to the operative on site.

Construction: Construction means any work done in connection with the construction, alteration,

conversion, fitting out, commissioning or demolition of any building or structure, or any similar

activity. The main sectors of construction are:

Housing makes up nearly 60% of the industry and includes the construction of domestic

houses, flats and associated out buildings.

Commercial deals with the construction of office buildings, shops and shopping centre,

public buildings, factories and medium to high raise apartment buildings.

Civil includes the construction of roads, railways, bridges, tunnels, wharfs, reservoirs,

dams and similar infrastructure works

Engineering includes the construction of power stations, chemical processing and storage

facilities, major industrial processing plants and ship buildings.

Safety: Safety means the state of being safe and protected from danger or harm or even the state

of not being dangerous.

Accident: Accident means unplanned and unexpected occurrence which upsets the planned

sequence of events and actions, resulting in the loss of production, injury to persons and damage

to plants and equipments.


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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Introduction

This study focused on the pattern of occupational accidents at building construction sites

in Kampala District. The information in this dissertation is arranged in chapters.

Chapter one introduces the research topic, brings out the objectives of the research; and

the statement of the problem. Chapter two reviews the contributions of different scholars to the

research subject. Chapter three is concerned with methodology where by research strategy, data

analysis techniques; and criteria for the interpretation of results are elaborated in this chapter.

Chapter four is concerned with data presentation and analysis of empirical data,

interpretation of empirical data; and presentation of results and findings. Chapter five brings out

the implications and significance of the study. It elaborates implications for methodology and

data availability, implications of findings for the theory/policy/practices; and possible policy or

other suggestions and recommendations. Chapter six, outline the recommendations and

conclusions of the study.

Background of the Study

Since 1990, when Ugandan economy was liberalised, there has been greater development

in all sectors. The construction industry for the last thirteen years (1990 – 2003) had a growth

rate of an average of 5.7 percent per annum. From 1995/96, it has continued to grow at an

average rate of 8.8 percent per annum well almost at par with 2007/08 GDP annual growth rate

for Uganda of 8.9 percent, coming next to agriculture in the economy.


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Investigations carried out by Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH)

under Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development indicated that the construction

Industry is made up of small contractors, a number of medium sized contractors and a few big

contractors often foreign who also get into joint ventures or sub-contract a number of medium

and small sized contractors on the big projects they undertake. Seventy percent (70%) of all

construction is informal with many individual developers directly undertaking complex

construction projects employing mostly unskilled labour to including children who in many cases

are often ignorant, negligent, and careless. This results into numerous hazards hence causing

fatal and non-fatal accidents.

In Uganda, construction project management has in recent shown greater emphasis on

time and cost at the expense of safety of the people involved in the industry. Lack of adherence

to safety regulations and requirements has led to increased exposure of the workers and the

general public to risky situations including a high rate of accident occurrence on construction

sites.

Rampant accidents in the construction industry pose direct and indirect physical injury to

persons. Which include loss of wages, hardship due to reduced earning, human suffering and

sorrow that no amount of compensation or benefit can erase; and psychological/social traumas to

affected families. On the side of the project engineer/client, losses due to costs of medical

treatment, worker compensation, replacing damaged equipment, wasted working time, replacing

injured workers as well as negative publicity. The result of accidents is therefore, lost production

capacity of the injured persons, death and reduced work output for the organization. This retards

both house hold and national economic growth.


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According to International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates (2008), 6,000 workers

die each day worldwide as a result of work related accidents or illness. Moreover, each year there

are an estimated 270,000,000 non-fatal work-related accidents as well as 160,000,000 new cases

of work-related diseases.

The total cost of such accidents and ill health have been estimated by ILO to be 4% of

global GDP (more than 1.25 trillion US dollars) or more than 20 times the global amount of

official development assistance. Construction, mining, manufacturing and agriculture rank

amongst the most hazardous occupations globally.

Construction industry has one of the largest potentials for increasing a country‟s Gross

National Product (GNP). Construction industry is increasingly becoming the most hazardous

industry in Uganda despite the fact that it has a vast potential for direct employment provision,

not only in the real building construction activities but also in the construction materials industry

that include bricks, blocks, aggregates, cement, steel, aluminium, timber, paint, pipes and

fittings, hardware, and several allied industries, construction equipment and transportation.

However, the construction industry in Uganda has presented the highest fatality rates in

the recent past years amongst all the industries as shown in table 1.1 below;


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Table 1.1: Distribution of fatalities in the investigated accidents per industry.

Industry

No. of cases Fatality

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Total

Construction 04 06 07 02 11 07 02 39

Manufacturing 01 03 01 05 06 07 09 32

Agriculture 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

Others 00 02 01 07 04 20 11 45

Total 05 11 09 14 21 34 22 116

(Source: OSH Dept. Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development)

Between 1997 and 2003, a total of 39 fatalities out of 116 which constitutes about 33.6%

were associated to construction. In the year 2003, a total of 236 accidents resulting in 22 deaths

were recorded in Kampala district and 34 and 21 deaths from 354 and 209 accidents were

reported in the previous years of 2002 and 2001 respectively as a result of occupational

accidents.

According to New Vision newspaper of Friday 28/08/2009, Works and Transport

Minister, was reported to have said that between 1997 and 2009. A total of 13 accidents occurred

at building construction sites, killing 97 and injuring 151 people. This information puts at fore

front construction industry as the most hazardous industry in Uganda.

Lives and large sums of invested money are lost in Uganda and the world over, as a result

of collapsing structures, falls from heights, fire outbreaks, caving in excavations, during

construction or maintenance activities or after occupation of the premises.

According to New Vision of Tuesday 22/09/2009, “the causes of construction related

accidents country wide have included inadequate design, use of unqualified personnel, sub-

standard materials, poor construction methods and workmanship. Failure of the builder to


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interpret available engineering, architectural drawings and technical specifications has also

contributed to the problem.”

Summary of Uganda’s Industrial fatal accidents investigated by OSH Department between

2002 and 2009

2002

Dr. Biryawhaho‟s construction site, plot 113 Buganda Road

Amamu House, George Street,

Cementer‟s site at URA headquarters,

China Nanjing site on 5th

Street Industrial Area

Site for Krishna Construction Co. Mukwano/U.T.C site, Namirembe Road

Mr. Karim Hirji‟s renovation site at Palm Beach Resort, Entebbe

Nakivubo Rehabilitation project

2003

Pit latrine being excavated in Kasubi on 25th

– Febraury-2003. Victim was an excavator,

who got buried by collapsing soil.

Hajji Katongole‟s complex, Kawempe on 31st/August/2003, 4 victims were hit by a

collapsing slab

Tembo steel (U) Ltd, on 1st/February/2003

Infectious Disease Institute on 9th

/June/2003

Guardian Services, Entebbe on 11th

/November/2003

Avis, Kawempe on 18th

/December/2003


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2004

Kaka industries (U) Ltd on 14th

/February/2004; no one was injured but a lot of property

was destroyed by fire.

Kansanga, Kobil Petrol Station on 16th

/February/2004; four workers were buried in

excavated pit at petrol station construction site.

Gateway bus service site, Nakivubo Road on 6th

/May/2004; one victim suffocated under

collapsed soil mass and four other workers sustained various body injuries.

Kajansi stone quarry on 8th

/August/2004; man and his three children were buried by

sliding soil mass inside a quarry pit.

Nabulagala School, on 24th

/August/2004; two people died on collapse of storied school

building under renovation

Bwebajja Hotel construction on 1st/September/2004; collapse of a three storey structure

still under construction, causing entrapment of 38 workers, 11 of whom died.

Collapse of Seguku building on 21st/October/2004; two workers killed and four workers

injured on collapse of two storied commercial building under construction.

2005

Rwenzori Beverage Uganda Ltd on 21st/June/2005; injuring work‟s hand by crusher

machine while cleaning

Damji Plantation Ltd on 8th

/July/2005; worker trapped and injured in crusher machine

while feeding sugarcane into machine

Ambitious, Lumumba Avenue on 17th

/August/2005; collapsing soil mass buried workers,

one died and two injured

Cementers, Serena Hotel on 29th

/August/2005; one worker fell down to the ground,

where he met his death


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2006

Sogea Satom on 2nd

/August/2006; one worker was killed by water gush under a trench

Tuff Foam Industry, on 3rd

/August/2006; accident involving fire occurrence at factory

premises

Nabinoonya Beach, Entebbe on 2nd

/September/2006; fatal accident involving drowning

2007

Tembo Steels Lugazi on 25th

/January/2007; fatal accident involving one worker

Construction neighbouring old Kampala Police Station

Accident on plot 48/50, Ben Kiwanuka Street on 31st/December/2007

2008

Accident at Nalya St. Peters Secondary School on 30th

/January/2008

Follow-up of accident at Britannia Allied Industries Ltd; victim was Nakiyemba Carol

Follow-up of accident at premises of Mr. Odida Francis; comprehensive college

Secondary school, Kitetika Gayaza

Accident at ROKO NSSF construction site; plot 15A 15B and 17 Lumumba Avenue, on

14th

/October/2008

2009

Partial collapse of an excavation at the junction between Market Street, Snay Bin Amir

Street and Duster Street, Nakasero on 25th

/February/2009

One face of the excavation gave way taking with it part of the neighbouring structure,

Mirembe Shopping Arcade between plot 7 and plot 5a, Nasser Road on 13th

/March/2009;

one person died and six injured


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It is because of the increasing numbers of collapsing construction sites and fatality rates

(death rates) in Uganda that has prompted the researcher to carry out a study into Occupational

accidents at building construction sites taking Kampala district as a case study.

Problem Statement

Uganda has one of the fastest growing economies in the world with GDP of 8.9%

(2007/08) and construction industry is among the leading contributors in Uganda. Because of the

boom, many non professionals register companies and carryout construction works; and most of

these companies, employ non qualified and non registered employees. This has greatly

contributed to the increasing accidents in the construction industry.

Between 2002 and 2009 above, many building construction accidents took place killing

many people and injuring thousands of workers. Much as they look very high as they are, these

are still too low compared to reality, because, data is got from only reported accidents within or

around Kampala district. Very many construction site accidents occur daily and many are not

reported to the authorities due to illegal construction taking place in this country leading to

fatalities, disabilities, injuries, psychological torture, and loss of lots of invested funds and time.

Therefore, the purpose of this research was to carry out a study into occupational

accidents on building construction sites and to recommend mitigation measures. To find out if

the provisions in the Occupational Safety and Health Act 2006, are being complied with or

implemented on construction sites in Kampala Uganda. This study was to find out whether the

contractors/employers are concerned with workers‟ health and safety; and whether the workers

on the construction site are aware of their rights to a healthy and safe work place.


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General Objective of the Study

To study the pattern of occupational accidents at building construction sites in Kampala

district.

Specific Objectives

Establish the common occupational accidents that occur on the building construction sites

during the period of research and past years.

Find out the causes of accidents on building construction sites in Kampala District.

Suggest what should be done to minimise accidents on the building construction sites in

Kampala district.

Research Questions

What are the common occupational accidents that occur on the building construction

sites?

What are the causes of accidents on building construction sites in Kampala district?

What can be done to minimise accidents on building construction sites in Kampala

district?

Significance of the Study

The researcher is expected to establish the causes of accidents in the construction

industry in Uganda.


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The findings will contribute to the development of appropriate guidelines for safe

construction practices for people engaged in the construction industry in order to

minimise accidents.

The research will recommend improvements to the Safety and Health regulations

currently in place.

The findings are expected to contribute knowledge to the future leadership, and as a

source of reference for further research.

Justification of the Study

The increasing numbers of accidents at the building construction sites which leads to

direct and indirect physical injuries to persons. These include loss of wages, hardship due to

reduced earnings, human suffering and sorrow that no amount of compensation or benefit which

can erase away psychological/social traumas to affected families. Also losses due to costs of

medical treatment, worker compensation, replacing damaged equipment, wasted working time,

replacing injured workers as well as negative publicity. All these have led to retardation of both

household and Ugandan national economic growth that the researcher decided to undertake this

research.


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CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction

In this context, analysis of existing literature from different writers/researchers who have

appreciated the topic of “Occupational health and safety” at work places were acknowledged. A

number of researches have been done by different people in various parts of the world in line of

safety and public health in work places in general. However, in this case only literature relating

to building construction sites was reviewed.

Overview

The complexity of the construction industry makes occupational ill health difficult to

assess not only in the developing countries but the world over. Construction comes high in the

comparative list of accident rates in many work places. The high number of accidents in

construction work is not caused entirely by the fact that the work often has to be done at great

heights or in deep pits or shafts. The vast majority of injuries are due to simple causes, similar to

those encountered in other industries like falling, stepping on objects, being struck or trapped by

objects, faulty handling of objects and incorrect use of hand tools. The difference between the

injuries occurring in construction work and those in other industries are mostly ones of degree

rather than type of injury.


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Conceptual framework

Explanation of conceptual framework

Occupational accidents on building construction sites involve falls from heights, slips,

trips and fall from the same level, tool accidents, struck by material accidents, crane accidents,

scaffolding accidents and many others. Once not prevented from occurring can cause accidents

the building construction sites. Hence the building construction site cannot be free from the

accidents. But once they are prevented, no accidents will occur and the building construction site

will be safe.

The causes of accidents on the building construction sites are lack of supervision and

control on worker‟s adherence to wear safety wear, lack of appreciation after completion of task,

lack of safety equipments, lack of proper training; unsafe site conditions and many others. Once

prevention measures are not in place, occupational accidents on building construction site will

occur. Hence, accidents will occur on the building construction site and it will not be free from

accidents. But if they are taken care of, there will be no occupational accidents occurring and the

building construction site will be free from accidents

Prevention is better than cure, prevention of accidents and causes of accidents can be

done through adequate designs, quality control of materials, proper construction work

Occupational

accidents on

building site

Causes of accidents

on building sites

Control of

Accidents Accident

free site


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techniques, adequate supervision and others. Once occupational accidents and their causes are

prevented from occurring on the building construction site, the site will be free from accidents.

But if they are not controlled accidents will occur and building construction site will not be free

from accidents.

For a building construction site to be free from accidents there should be proper measures

on the site to prevent causation of occupational accidents from occurring.

Occupational accidents that occur on building construction sites

Phil Hughes and Ed Forrett (2008) pointed out the most common accidents that occur on

workers on building construction sites. These included slips, trips and falls on the same level, fall

from height, being struck by moving, falling or flying objects, and striking against fixed or

stationary objects.

The major forms of site accidents in the building construction industry are: structural

failures, machinery (involving construction plants) accidents, fall from heights, falling objects

(improperly staked materials or tools and equipments), excavation cave-in, equipment mishaps,

fires and electrocutions. P.P Dharwadker (1990), had this to say; ‘In U.K, statistics revealed that

more than 60% of fatal accidents in the construction industry occur due to persons falling from

heights or due to them being struck by falling objects from heights.’ He further stressed that; ‘the

accidents occurring because of structures failure and after construction, collapse of centring and

shuttering, failure of building scaffoldings, caving-in excavations and damage of fire are

indicators of utter lack of awareness of occupational safety in the industry.’

According to the African Newsletters on OHS (2001 and 2004), occupational health

hazards can be categorised as physical, chemical, biological and social hazards.


27

Physical Hazards

These include:

Noise and vibration hazards which cause harmful effects to workers, including hearing

defects/loss (deafness), annoyance/irritability, psychological.

Welding hazard which include the presence of ultraviolet lights, gas leaks and metal

fumes released during the welding processes. These hazards are associated with fire and

explosions which result into burns from heated metal work pieces; electric shocks from

damaged cables and faulty circuits; photo-ophthalmia from electric arc flash; fume fever

from melting metals; and gassing accidents from toxic metal oxide fumes.

Musculoskeletal impairments resulting from cumulative trauma, chest pain, knee lesions

and low back pain which are due to lifting, lowering and carrying heavy loads and

aspects of work posture such as bending, twisting and reaching out of materials. These

can lead to permanent disability.

Excessive dust resulting from cutting, plainning and sanding operations in carpentry,

demolition operations, excavation operations and others.

Chemical Hazards

Some building materials such as cement, lime, paints, adhesives oils, solvents and many

others contain chemicals which are corrosive to the skin, cause skin irritation and allergies in the

event of direct contact and when inhaled they may lead to respiratory ailments such as bronchitis

asthma and rhinitis. Other health hazards due to exposure to chemicals may be dermatitis and

cancer.


28

Biological Hazards

During site clearance operations, workers are exposed to risks of insect and snake bites

leading to illnesses and fatalities. Sometimes inhalation of pollen and fungal spores can cause

respiratory allergies. Furthermore, working in wet conditions increases the likelihood of fungal

infections of toes, fingers and nails unless the workers are provided with protective gears.

International Labour Organisation on Occupational Health and Safety in the construction

industry

Using some statistical data from USA, France, Spain and Argentina, it will be easy to see

the significant contribution of construction industry to employment creation (5.4% in the USA,

7.6% in France, 9.2% in Spain and 10.4% in Argentina). The construction industry has

traditionally been considered a hazardous occupation, due to the incidence of occupational

accidents and above all, of fatal injuries.

Another common feature is the high proportion of the work-related accidents of a

particular country that occurs in the construction sector (8% in the USA, 19% in France, 22% in

Spain and 14% in Argentine), which makes construction safety a compelling issue.

The statistical information also reveals that the likelihood of a construction worker suffering a

fatal injury at work is several times higher than that of an average worker. Therefore,

construction workers have a strong argument for demanding the national policies and

programmes on occupational safety and health but a high emphasis should be on the construction

industry.

Historically, occupational safety and health programmes in construction have been

focussed on the area of safety, that is, on the prevention of accidents. This is not surprising

because of the immediate visibility of the effects of accidents (injuries and material damages) as

compared to diseases whose consequences appear only after a period of time. The problem lies in


29

the fact that the health of workers may be affected many years after being exposed to a certain

agent or contaminant at the workplace. Thus, reliable statistical data on occupational disease,

especially in the case of a work force as mobile and sporadic as construction, are difficult to

obtain. (Alberto Lopez-Valcarcel, 2001)

Causes of building construction site accidents

Tutesigensi, A. and Reynolds. J.R (2008) investigated the causes of accidents on

construction sites; and their case study was the case of a large construction contractor in Great

Britain. The aim of the study was to identify the causes of accidents on company A‟s

construction sites; and to suggest how accidents on company A‟s construction sites can be

minimised. This was achieved using the following objectives:

Acquire information about incidences of injury, disease or dangerous occurrences.

Analyse the information acquired in order to identify the primary and secondary causes

of the incidences.

Analyse data derived from the acquired information in order to quantify the relative

importance of the primary and secondary causes.

Suggest strategies that can lead to reduction in incidences of injury, disease or dangerous

occurrences.

The researchers found out that the top three primary causes of accidents on contractor A‟s

sites are causality error, work methods and poor quality error while the top three secondary

causes are work methods, causality errors and site conditions.

T. Michael Toole (2002) conducted a survey on construction site safety roles. He identified

the root causes of construction accidents as lack of proper training, deficient enforcement of


30

safety, lack of safety equipments, unsafe methods or sequencing, unsafe site conditions, not

using provided safety equipment, poor attitude towards safety, and isolated freak accident.

Michael Armstrong (1979) said that; „building site diseases and accidents result from a

multiplicity of factors, but these have to be traced to their root causes, which are usually faults in

management system arising from poor leadership from the top; inadequate supervision;

insufficient attention to the inclusion of health and safety precautions into the system; an

unsystematic approach to the identification, analysis and elimination of hazards; and poor

education and training facilities.’

John Cameron Aspley (1955) said that; ‘....................accidents do not happen, they are

caused. They are caused because someone did something he should not have done or somebody

failed to do something he should have done. Carelessness, indifference and negligence are

responsible for one out of three accidents.’ He further argued that; „the work assignment should

match the mental and physical abilities of the worker and he/she should be selectively placed at

the job he/she can do best.’

Most of the accidents in building activities occur because of negligence, ignorance,

incompetence or complacency on the part of the workers, management or civic authorities.

(Gupta, 2000)

P. P. Dharwadker (1996), said that; ‘safety in high raised construction at the construction

stage and occupation and maintenance stages continue to be somewhat neglected in the

construction industry the world over......................most accidents in the construction industry are

due to negligence, ignorance, complacency or incompetence on the part of the workers,

management or civil authorities...............no sooner has the accident occurred than it is forgotten

till another accident take place.................Several reports bringing out the basic aspects and


31

deficiencies which come in the way of application for safety measures have been produced by the

inquiry of officers and the commission appointed for the purpose, but the follow-up action has

remained inadequate.’

He further stressed that; ‘practical applications of national code, which lays down

minimum provisions for building design to ensure the safety of the public with regard to

structural sufficiency, safety hazards and occupational health aspects, are followed more by

default rather than by rule and that basic deficiencies in legislation, loopholes in inspection

mechanisms and collusion at micro-level enables everybody concerned to go Scot free

irrespective of their apparent failure or even direct involvement.’

According to H. Lubega, B. M. Kigundu and D. Tindiwensi in their scholarly report

(Monitor 27-07-2006), said that; ‘accidents on building sites are mainly caused by inadequate

supervision, use of incompetent personnel, use of inappropriate construction techniques, use of

poor quality materials, lack of quality control, insufficient soil investigation, negligence of site

safety, weak foundations, site layout and lack of appreciation for use of professionals.’ They

further argued that; ‘other factors which lead to construction site accidents are negligence,

carelessness, and lack of commitment, ignorance, hunger, fatigue, inexperience, poor

communication/language barrier and inadequate visibility/inadequate lighting for night shifts.’

According to Eng. Dr. Francis Bazirake (2009), ‘among the accident causes are poor

design, inferior materials, poor workmanship and non observance of safety regulations; all of

which are avoidable’

Checking of the design by the local authorities is minimal as they lack capacity in

numbers, qualifications and experience. Site supervision is limited to checking whether the

developer has a building permit and is rarely done by a qualified engineer. Due to laxity in the


32

professions some engineers out of greed take on too much work which they cannot reasonably

execute. There is also disregard of specialisations so that any civil engineer thinks he/she can do

anything in his/her field of general education. There is also a problem of architects acting as lead

consultants whereby engineers are marginalised as they do not negotiate their fees with the client

and end up not dedicated to good practice. This approach is open to errors, which can

accumulate, such as lack of structural calculations and design, use of substandard materials, poor

workmanship and lack of qualified supervision on the construction site so that the resultant work

may be catastrophic.

Ransom (1987) argues that; ‘causes of failures/accidents in the construction industry are

either due to faulty design, poor execution, and use of poor construction materials or through

unexpected user requirements. There is a need to narrow the gap between the designers and the

constructors, and examine the design for build-ability.’

In the building inspection and construction in Kampala, Wakiso, Mpigi and other districts

of Uganda, reports by the Ministry of works and transport indicate that use of unapproved plans,

poor quality materials, and inadequate inspection by local authorities, architects, engineers and

safety officers are some of the contributory factors to the occurrence of accidents on building

sites.

According to William Mukasa, the rapid growth in the industry has brought about

increased threat to occupational safety and health and such as there have been a number of

injuries and fatal accidents in the recent past due to the following reasons:

Lack of clear policy by government on how the construction industry should operate

Out dated legislation, regulations have narrow scope and penalties are minimal

Limited number of safety and health inspectors


33

Inadequate resources for effective enforcement of legislation

Inadequate and incompetent supervision at the construction sites

Low attitude towards safety and health by clients

Lack of national standards for construction

Lack of awareness and understanding of safety and health regulations and generally

labour laws.

Lack of skilled workers or competent persons

Lack of Occupational Health and Safety information, training materials, courses and

programmes which the Ugandan construction industry could utilise.

Lack of thorough reporting of incidents and accidents

Weak professional institutions to monitor ethical conduct of their members

Weak contractors‟ association to benefit its memberships through training and other

health and safety services.

Inactive insurance industry

Use of inappropriate construction techniques and poor designs which do not take into

account safety and health

Workers‟ negligence, ignorance and carelessness (attitude and behaviour)

Mechanical failure of construction equipments, plants and machinery (often very old)

Unlevelled bidding ground due to design specifications not having considerations for

safety and health

Workers in poor health conditions and working under stress

Use of poor quality materials coupled with lack of quality control to ensure compliance

with standards or specifications


34

Weather and disaster

From the above literature, the causes and factors that lead to accidents on building sites

can be summarised as follows:

Accident causing factors

Human factors

These are categorised into psychological, physiological factors and unsafe acts factors.

Psychological Factors: these are related to the mental condition of the workers and they

include: stress, worry, mental tension, emotional attitude, impulsiveness, nervousness,

overconfidence, carelessness, fear, negligence and ignorance.

Physiological factors: these are related to the physical condition of the workers and they

include poor health, poor eye sight, old age, young age, intoxication, hunger, fatigue and

physical handicapped-ness.

Unsafe acts factors: these are risky acts which can be potential hazards leading to

accidents for example taking shortcuts, wanting to finish quickly, removing or not using

protective gears, not following approved preventive methods.

Technical factors

These include system breakdown, faults in equipments or machines, use of wrong

equipment.

Work environment factors

These include bad weather, repetitiveness and monotony of work, dirty working places.

Other causes of accidents

Inadequate site management and supervision, this leads to hazards not easily identified

and mitigated, the result may be repeated accidents.


35

Defective or wrong equipment, here accidents may occur due to system breakdown,

faulty equipment being used, wrong equipments being used or use of equipment by an

inexperienced/incompetent person.

Failure to comply with the recommended safety provisions in design leads to potential

hazards.

Non-compliance to building standards and regulations, here unapproved or no plans are

used on many sites and even where approved plans exist they are not referred to on sites

besides lack of building specifications on site or failure to comply with them result in

accidents.

Inadequate inspection by the local authorities, structural engineers, architects and safety

inspectors. This is rarely done possibly due to poor facilitation, lack of commitment,

insufficient inspection staff, lack of knowledge about the location of the construction

sites, perception that the services of engineers and architects are expensive or poor

sensitisation of the need for supervision by engineers and architects.

Poor site layout may complicate or restrict movements on site and if materials are poorly

stacked they may fall on workers/visitors or obstruct them from moving vehicles leading

to collisions.

Use of poor quality materials that do not conform to standards/specifications and lack of

quality control lead to construction of weak structures prone to accidents.

Insufficient or lack of soil investigation before both designing and construction, which

might lead to poor design and weak/inappropriate foundations which consequently result

into the collapse of structures.


36

Inappropriate construction techniques which are used on some sites especially in concrete

batching, mixing, transporting, placing and compaction may be due to incompetence,

ignorance, carelessness or inexperience of personnel.

Lack of or insufficient support and protection to excavations. Cave-ins of excavations

such as those of the Nakasero shopping arcade and Lumumba Avenue NSSF pension

tower were as a result of lack of insufficient support to sides of excavations respectively.

In addition, if excavations are not protected by fencing and warning signs, workers or

visitors can fall into them.

Use of incompetent, unqualified or unprofessional personnel. The contractors‟ and

clients‟ preference for cheap yet incompetent, unqualified and unprofessional personnel.

This has greatly exposed workers and the public to fatal and costly accidents. In addition,

some professionals execute work unprofessionally due to pressure from

clients/contractors who want high savings, lack of commitment or carelessness.

Prevention of accidents on the building construction site

Tutesigensi, A and Reynolds J. R (2008) came up with a proposal on reducing accidents as

follows:

Training which involves initial training – to train technical skills, health and safety

awareness and professional values. Advanced training – to master technical skills, deepen health

and safety knowledge and develop leadership skills. Periodic training should be done to value

human life, understand human behaviour and to communicate effectively.

Briefing which involves unpack tools/equipment – to ensure they are right, sufficient and

safe; prepare for work – rehearse processes, answer any question questions and check


37

understanding. Discuss risks – identify risks and highlight how the risk exposure can be

minimised.

Debriefing which involves packing up tools/equipment – check, clean and recharge them.

Reflect on what happened – identify risk events that occurred and identify the impact of the

events. Reflect on what did not happen – identify risk events that were avoided, why the risks

events were avoided and what needs to be done next time.

From the case study undertaken, the authors concluded that it is important that health and

safety is taken seriously at all levels in the construction industry as it affects all of us either

directly or indirectly. They also noted that action that focuses on effective training, briefing and

debriefing of workforce can increase awareness of health and safety issues among the workforce

and lead to reduction in accidents on construction sites.

T. Michael Toole (2002) conducted a survey on construction site safety roles. He noted

that there was no uniform agreement on the site safety responsibilities of design engineers,

general contractors, and sub contractors. His study suggested that specific site safety

responsibilities be assigned on future projects based on each group‟s ability to control the factors

needed to prevent the root causes of construction accidents.

His research came up with factors needed to prevent root causes of construction accidents

as:

Proper training should ensure that graduates have expertise in task; have expertise in

training requirements; able to interview, test or observe employee,; have access to prior

training records.

Safety officers should be able to monitor work on frequent basis; know safety

requirements for task; able to enforce safety.


38

A supervisor on construction site should know what safety equipment is required for task;

able to provide and enforce use of equipment; know inspection and maintenance history

of equipment being used.

Supervisors should know standard methods and sequencing for task; able to observe

actual methods and sequencing; able to control methods and or sequencing.

Supervisors should know proper site conditions; able to observe actual site conditions;

able to control site conditions.

The supervisor on the building construction site should be able to observe employee

constantly; able to influence behaviour through evaluations.

The management of the building construction site should be able to interact with worker

frequently; able to influence attitude through evaluations.

Summary of the literature review

The author has learnt that to have a free accident environment on building construction

sites, training of all stakeholders of construction industry should be done. The previous

researchers on the study area do not emphasise the need to start training the young generation on

issues concerning health and safety since it is very hard to train an adult such a delicate topic.

Previous researchers have come up with so many ways of minimising accidents on

building construction sites but this has not stopped accidents from occurring on building

construction sites. The gap would be that they have failed to transfer this knowledge to the

concerned stakeholders.

The author has learned that management should always be in position to involve

employees on building construction site to participate in health and safety issues on building

construction sites. Evaluations should always be done and safety meetings should be attended by


39

all employees of the building construction sites. The previous researchers have failed to notice

that majority of workers on building construction sites are illiterate and do not encourage

employers to pass on safety and health messages on to the workers in the language they

understand best.


40

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY AND DATA COLLECTION

Introduction

This chapter details the methodology that was used during the study. It presents the study

design, target population, sample size, sample techniques, data sources, data collection

instruments, data analysis and interpretation, and limitations of the study.

The first step of the study was the identification of the research problem covering the

significance, objective and scope of the study followed by exploratory review of the available

literature. The information was gathered through books, journals and publications, reports,

internet search engines, interviews which took place through conversation and interaction with

building construction workers.

Exploratory research involving descriptive case - studies was used for the research study

because it is envisaged to be the best approach for obtaining suitable responses to questions

concerning the status of the subjects under study. Data was collected in order to answer the

established research questions.

Scope of the Study

The study was carried out in Uganda and the case study was in Kampala district. The data

was collected from the five divisions namely Nakawa, Makindye, Rubaga, Kawempe and

Kampala Central.


41

The target subjects were the workers on the building construction sites and distributed

500 questionnaires to people working on construction sites located within Kampala district. The

researcher ensured that the questionnaires were approximately equally distributed among the 5

divisions making Kampala district. The research targeted to cover buildings that were still under

construction.

Questionnaires for the building construction site workers were later developed and then

distributed to respondents by hand; this was done between mid-July to end of August 2010.

Within that period, filled questionnaires were collected from the respondents and the researcher

had face to face interviews with the respondents as well. The data was then compiled, analysed,

discussed and conclusions made together with recommendations to improve the safety of

workers in the construction industry.


42

Research Design

This is an applied research with a focus on the occupational accidents on building

construction sites and their mitigation measures in Kampala district, Uganda. A list of selected

building construction sites was identified and a random sample method used to select the

building construction site on which to carry out the study. The category of subjects/ownership

formed the centre of focus and included:

Government/public institutions – The study looked at government building projects

within the different ministries, corporate bodies or departments.

Private institutions – Here the focus was on private and corporate bodies.

Individual developers – This mainly looked at the construction of residential and

commercial building sites owned by individuals but have formal contracts with

contractors.

Sample Size and Sample Size determination

The sample space from which information was got ranged from site engineers, foremen,

Technicians, masons, and labours.

The current number of building construction sites was not available in the relevant

authorities within Kampala district like Kampala city council; and respective division

headquarters.

However, the sample size was determined using Kish Leslie‟s formula for sample size

determination. There were no available data of the current numbers of building construction

projects going on in Kampala district. So such basic values like prevalence and standard

deviations which are important in determining the sample size was not available. The expected


43

prevalence of the study problem was not available, therefore the prevalence of the problem was

assumed to be at 50%

Kish Leslie‟s formula for sample size determination is

2

2 1

d

ppzn (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pd006, viewed August – 2010)

Where n = minimum sample size required

z = alpha risk expressed in z-scores at confidence level of 95% which is 1.96

p = expected prevalence of the problem which was assumed to be 50%

d = desired precision in this study; a precision of 5% was assumed

2

2

5

501005096.1n

= 384.16

≈ 384 respondents

Therefore, a total of 500 questionnaires were distributed to the various ongoing building

construction sites to be filled by the respondents but 300 questionnaires only were recovered by

the end of the exercise.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pd006


44

Data Collection methods

The data collection methods included the following though was not limited to them

alone:

Questionnaire: The main interest behind these questions was to assess if indeed the expectations

are met or not as per the health and safety of workers on sites. About 500 questionnaires were

distributed to the participants who were anticipated to respond back upon each question.

Observation: By visiting the various sites and moving around, a number of working

environmental conditions of exposure of the workers were able to be seen.

Oral interviews: This was actually used were some people or participants were unable to

understand the language used on questionnaires.

Photography: Some photographs were taken, portraying the conditions prevailing on sites. These

show the physical state of the problems and give a very vivid elaboration in a pictorial form.

Study Population: The population comprised workers on the government or public building

construction sites, private building construction sites and individual developers who were by the

time of research were operating and under contracts.

Research Instrument

The instrument used in the data collection comprised:

An interview guideline, which was used to interview the different parties involved in the

identified projects.

Used structured questionnaires to obtain statistical data on specific technical information.

Observation of selected building construction sites that were under construction.


45

Materials/Apparatus: Internet services, training manuals, hand outs, and computer programs

were used.

Research Procedure

The procedure used in the research involved the following:

Questionnaires were designed to collect information (data) of interest as per the topic.

Pre-testing or piloting scheme were done to ensure quality and validity of the

questionnaires distributed.

The questionnaire was then adjusted to suite the targeted category of respondents on the

building construction site.

Distribution of the questionnaires was done by the researcher and the research assistants

A follow-up of the questionnaires was done to collect and/or extract the raw data for

processing to enhance a basis of identification, conclusions and recommendations.

The raw data from the respondents or participants was then retrieved/collected and tallied

statistically.

Sorting of answered sheets was done in which those questionnaires not satisfactorily

attended were discarded, for their results were deemed insufficient and hence futile to

consider.

Processing of the raw data was done using selected statistical methods, which included

bar graphs/charts, link charts, pie charts and write-ups.


46

The methodology frame work (summary of research procedures) is shown below in figure

3.1

Figure 3.1: Summary of research procedure

Identification and

Evaluation of key issues

and Research problem

Final Report,

Conclusions and

Recommendations

Data Analysis

Data Collection

Informal

Discussions

Observations Interviews Design and Post

Questionnaires

Literature Review


47

Ethical consideration and approval

Informed consent was requested from the respondents orally only after having informed

them what the study was all about and the objectives of the study. The researcher told them that

the study was solely for academic purpose and participation was voluntarily. To ensure the

confidentiality and anonymity of the respondents, when data was being collected, the

respondents were not required to write their names. Approval and mandate to carry out the study

was obtained from the Institute of Health Policy and Management of the International Health

Sciences University and from other relevant authorities.

Data processing

For the data obtained from the field, the researcher ensured that validity, reliability,

accuracy and correctness of the findings were achieved. It was tackled by using multiple

sources of evidence while collecting the data and to prove that all the different

methods lead to the same result or that they all support the same proposition.

Reliability was fostered through allowing the respondents give comments to the

results, reports and these comments were reviewed by observational methods on their

responses.

Data Analysis

Analysis involves working with data, organizing them, breaking them into manageable

sizes, synthesising them, searching for patterns, discovering what is important and what is to be

learned; and finally deciding what to communicate to the others.


48

Limitations of the study/problems faced during the study

Denial to access sites

Some sites had strict rules of not allowing anybody who does not work on the building

construction site to access the site for information. The researcher then obliged to seek for other

sites who appreciated the need for researches by students.

Language barrier amongst the workers

This was rampant especially amidst the labourers who were illiterate. This made it

difficult for them to answer the questionnaires and therefore the researcher had to re-interpret.

Demand for pay

Meanwhile others were willing to give information, a set of individual site workers asked

to be paid to participate in answering the questionnaires. The respondents were made to know

that the research was academically oriented and not economically lucrative to the researcher.

Lack of cooperation from some site supervisors

Some supervisors would toss around when it is time to collect the questionnaires left

behind. This was a major time wasting factor because few sites would be covered in a long spell

of time. Some supervisors claimed they had no time to help in whatsoever way, not even

releasing a worker to reply to some questions from the researcher. Due to this, about 200

questionnaires out of the 500 distributed questionnaires were lost or considered abandoned (that

is to say, 40% of the total designed and distributed questionnaires). This reduced the range of

opinion taken.


49

Less time to interact with the workers

In most occasions, the time of visiting the sites were working hours and so, it proved

cumbersome to have quite sufficient time with the participants to get the required information

from them. In some cases, they never trusted their supervisors to give them the time to speak to

the researcher. In this case, a mutual understanding had to be reached before any interaction was

initiated.

Financial constraints

Increase in fuel prices increased the transport fares and other subsequent prices of items

the researcher wanted to use. The researcher had to deplete his account aiming at finishing this

research.

Loss of questionnaires

Due to perhaps carelessness, some of the respondents misplaced their answered sheets

and this resulted into loss of data as well as financial loss on the researcher‟s side because of the

costs incurred in printing and photocopying more copies. Therefore more questionnaires had to

be redistributed by the researcher for this case.


50

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

Introduction

In this chapter presentation, analysis of data, interpretation of empirical data, presentation

of results and findings of data collected from the field (primary data) have been elaborated. The

aim of the research was to study the pattern of occupational accidents at building construction

sites in Kampala district. The study focussed on the five divisions making Kampala district

namely Nakawa, Makindye, Kawempe, Rubaga and Central. About 500 questionnaires were

distributed but only 300 were recovered.

The findings are presented in line with the objectives of the research study and are

intended to give answers to the research questions which were formulated in relation to the

study. The lucidity of the findings has been demonstrated with statistical information backed by

the obtained data from the field.

Part 1: Worker’s Personal Data

The first part of the questionnaire was general information about the worker on the

building construction site. This included sex, age, job title, education, years of experience,

income per day, health history, and area where the respondent lives.


51

Sex

Gender is very important when it comes to the construction industry. It is believed that

women are more careful when it comes to safe guarding their lives and that of the others.

Analysis

Upon analysing the results obtained, a revelation of the percentage of men and women

working on the building construction sites within Kampala is as shown in the pie chart, figure

4.1.

Figure 4. 1: Gender of respondents working on building construction site (source: primary data)

Interpretation of the results

From figure 4.1, it can be seen clearly that of all the number of people working on the

construction site, 211 respondents (70%) are men and 16 respondents (7%) are women. 73

respondents (24%) did not answer this question. This shows the gender imbalance that exists

within the construction industry. Men believe and have persuaded the women to believe that

working on a building construction site is the work of men only which is not true. But the truth is

that women are more careful when it comes to safe guarding themselves and others against

accidents.


52

Age

Age is very important when it comes at executing work on the construction sites, as the

younger or older someone is the more likely to cause accidents.

Analysis

After analysing the results obtained, a revelation of the age of the respondents are

revealed in the bar chart, figure 4.2

Figure 4. 2: Age group of the respondents (Source: Primary data)


From figure 4.2, it can be seen that the ages of respondents working on the building

construction site are: 4 respondents (1.3%) are below 18 years; 111 respondents (37.0%) are

between age 18 years to 30 years, 89 respondents (29.7%) are between 30 years to 40 years; 12

respondents (4%) are between age 40 years to 50 years; 84 respondents (28.0%) did not declare

their age.


53

Job title

Job title helps in putting the building construction site in order as labourers will know

who is who on a site. When it comes to the safety on the construction site, someone must give

orders to the workers to be followed.

Analysis

After analysing results obtained, a revelation of the job titles of the respondents on the

building construction site are given in the bar chart, figure 4.3.

Figure 4. 3: Job titles of the respondents (Source: primary data)


From figure 4.3, it can be seen that the job titles of the respondents on the building

construction site are: 14 respondents (4.7%) are site engineers, 41 respondents (13.7%) are

foremen, 40 respondents (13.3%) are technicians, 21 respondents (7.0%) are masons and 101

respondents (33.7%) are labourers. 83 respondents (27.7%) did not respond to this question.


54

Education Background

Uganda is still faced with high illiteracy levels, and this is reflected on the building

construction sites where by illiterate workers will find a problem in reading safety guidelines and

interpreting them.

Analysis

After analysis results obtained, a revelation of the education level of the respondents on

the building construction site are given in the bar chart, figure 4.4.

Figure 4. 4: Educational background of the respondents on the building construction site

(Source: primary data)


From figure 4.4, it can be seen that the education background of the respondents on the

building construction site are: 6 respondents (2%) are of illiterate level, 56 respondents (18.7%)

are of primary level, 73 respondents (24.3%) are of secondary level, 64 respondents (21.3%) are

of certificate level, 29 respondents (9.7%) are of ordinary diploma level, 39 respondents (13.0%)


55

are of higher diploma level, 20 respondents (6.7%) are of degree level, and 6 respondents (2%)

are of master level. 7 respondents (2.3%) did not respond to this question.

Years of Experience

In one way or the other, the numbers of years a labourer have spent on the building

construction site are attached to the safety on the building construction site. The more the

experience of the workers, the less error are expected to made, hence the safer the work.

Analysis

After analysing results obtained, a revelation of the years of experiences of the

respondents on the building construction sites are given in the bar chart, figure 4.5.

Figure 4. 5: Years of experience of the respondents (Source: Primary data)


From figure 4.5, it can be seen that the years of experiences of the respondents on the

building construction site are: 55 respondents (18.3%) have 0 – 5 years of experience, 31

respondents (10.3%) have 5 – 10 years of experience, 16 respondents (5.3%) have 10 – 15 years


56

of experience, and 5 respondents (1.7%) have 15 – 20 years of experience. 193 respondents

(64.3%) did not respond to this question.

Income per day

An income of a worker can be a motivating factor or a de-motivating factor which may lead to

the good or poor performance of the worker.

Analysis

After analysing results obtained, a revelation of the income per day of the respondents on the

building construction site are given in the bar chart, figure 4.6

Figure 4. 6: Income per day of the respondents on the building construction site. (Source:

primary data)


From figure 4.6, it can be seen that the income per day of the respondents on the building

construction site are: 3 respondents (1.0%) earn less than 5,000/= per day, 111 respondents

(37.0%) earn between 5,000/= - 10,000/= per day, 42 respondents (14.0%) earn between


57

10,000/= - 20,000/= per day, 43 respondents (14.3%) earn more than 20,000/= per day. 101

respondents (33.7%) did not answer this question.

Health history

When a worker is having a health problem, is more likely to cause accident than one who does

not have.

Analysis

After analysing results obtained, a revelation of the health history of the respondents on the

building construction site are given in the pie chart, figure 4.7.

Figure 4. 7: Health history of the respondents (Source: primary data)


From figure 4.7, it can be seen that the health history of the respondents on the building

construction site are: 169 respondents (56%) had no health problems, and 21 respondents (7%)

had a health problem. 110 respondents (37%) did not answer this question.


58

The exact health problem

Analysis

After analysing results obtained, a revelation of the exact health problem of the respondents on


Figure 4. 8: Exact health problem of the respondents (source: primary data)


From figure 4.8, it can be seen that the exact health problems of the respondents on the building

construction site are: 4 respondents (19%) suffered from diabetes, 1 respondent (4.8%) suffer

from High blood pressure, 4 respondents (19%) suffer from heart problem, and 12 respondents

(57.1%) suffer from other diseases.


59

Division in Kampala where respondents stay

Analysis

After analysing results obtained, a revelation of where respondents stay after work is given in

figure 4.9

Figure 4. 9: Where the respondents stay after work (source: primary data)


From figure 4.9, it can be seen that the place of resident of the respondents are: 70 respondents

(23.3%) reside in Makindye, 50 respondents (16.7%) reside in Rubaga, 9 respondents (3%)

reside in Central, 50 respondents (16.7%) reside in Nakawa, 45 respondents (15%) reside in

Kawempe, and 76 respondents (25.3%) reside outside Kampala.


60

Part 2: Accident and Site Conditions

Kampala District where the building construction site is located

The questionnaires were randomly distributed within the 5 divisions of Kampala District. Ten

(10) building construction sites were randomly selected in each division making a total of 50

building construction sites selected for the study purpose in Kampala district. With the 300

received questionnaires out of 500 distributed questionnaires, it means that on average,

approximately 30 building construction site workers participated in this study.

Analysis

After analysing results obtained, a revelation of the location of the building construction

sites within Kampala are give in the bar chart, figure 4.10.

Figure 4. 10: Division of Kampala where the site is located (source: primary data)


From figure 4.10, it can be seen that the location of building construction sites within

Kampala divisions are: 52 sites (17.3%) are located within Makindye division, 40 sites (13.3%)


61

are located within Rubaga division, 78 sites (26.0%) are located within Central division, 30 sites

(10%) are located within Nakawa division and 41 sites (13.7%) are located within Kawempe

division. 59 respondents (19.7%) did not declare the location of their building construction sites.

Indication of category of ownership of the building site

Analysis

After analysing results obtained, a revelation of the category of ownership of the building

construction site are given in the bar chart, figure 4.11.

Figure 4. 11: category of ownership of the building construction site (source: primary data)


From figure 4.11, it can be seen that the category of ownership of the building

construction site are: 32 sites (10.7%) are owned by Government/Public institutions, 116 sites

(38.7%) are owned by Private institutions, 44 sites (14.7%) are owned by individuals, and 14

sites (4.7%) are owned by Companies. 94 respondents (31.3%) did not answer this question.


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Type of accident that has ever occurred

Analysis

After analysis results obtained, a revelation of the type of accident that has ever occurred

on the building construction site are given in the bar chart, figure 4.12.

Figure 4. 12: Type of accident that has ever occurred on the building construction site. (Source:

primary data)


From figure 4.12, it can be seen that the type of accident that has ever occurred on the

building construction site are: 7 Contact with electricity accidents occurred, 4 Crane

accidents occurred, 110 Tool accidents occurred (tools like spades, hoes, hammers,

spanners trowels, floats, etc), 11 Failure of lift device accidents occurred, 3 Structure

failure accidents occurred (such as fall of walls, slabs, columns, ceiling, structures

under construction, etc), 33 Fall from height accidents occurred, 28 Exposure to

hazardous materials accidents occurred, 134 Struck by materials accidents occurred,


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52 Fall from ladder accidents occurred, 4 Scaffolding accidents occurred, 13 Natural

causes accidents occurred, 47 Falling object from height accidents occurred, and 5

Machinery Vehicle accidents occurred.

Hours in which accidents occurred

Analysis

After analysing results obtained, a revelation of the period when accidents occurred on


Figure 4. 13: Periods when accidents have ever occurred. (Source: primary data)


From figure 4.13, it can be seen that the periods during which accidents occurred on the

building construction sites are: 3 respondents (1.3%) said accidents occurred between 8:00am –

10:00am, 70 respondents (23.3%) said accidents occurred between 10:00am – 1:00pm, 7

respondents (2.3%) said accidents occurred between 2:00pm – 4:00am, 80 respondents (26.7%)


64

said accidents occurred between 4:00pm – 5:00pm, and 90 respondents (30%) said accidents

occurred between 5:00pm – 7:00pm. 50 respondents (16.7%) did not respond to this question.

Weather conditions when accidents occurred

Analysis

After analysing the results obtained, a revelation of the weather conditions during which

the accidents occurred on the construction site are given in the bar chart, figure 4.14

Figure 4. 14: Weather conditions during which accidents have ever occurred (Source: primary

data)


From figure 4.14, it can be seen that the weather conditions during which accidents have

ever occurred on the building construction site are: 8 accidents (2.7%) occurred during hot

weather condition, 9 accidents (3.0%) occurred during cold weather condition, 6 accidents

(2.0%) occurred during moderate weather condition, 9 accidents (3.0%) occurred during humid


65

weather condition, 19 accidents (6.3%) occurred during windy weather condition, and 57

accidents (19.0%) occurred during rainy weather condition. 192 respondents (64.0%) did not

answer this question.

Month in which accident occurred

Analysis

After analysing results obtained, a revelation of the months in which accidents have ever

occurred on the building construction site are given in the bar chart, figure 4.15

Figure 4. 15: Months in which accidents have ever occurred (source: primary data)


From figure 4.15, it can be seen that the months in which accidents have ever occurred

are: 13 accidents (4.3%) occurred during January – February period, 47 accidents (15.7%)

occurred during April – June period, 6 accidents (2.0%) occurred during July – September

period, and 63 accidents (21.0%) occurred during October – December period. 171 respondents

(57.0%) did not answer this question.


66

Whether contractor has any insurance policy towards the workers

Analysis

After analysing results obtained, a revelation of whether the contractor has any insurance

policy towards the workers on the building construction site are given in the pie chart, figure

4.16.

Figure 4. 16: whether the contractor has any insurance policy for the workers (source: primary

data)


From figure 4.14, it can be seen whether the contractor has any insurance policy towards

the workers or not as indicated. 79 respondents (26%) said that the contractor has an insurance

policy on them, 108 respondents (36%) said that the contract does not have any insurance policy

on them, and 98 respondents (33%) said that they do not know whether the contractor has an

insurance policy on them or not. 15 respondents (5%) did not answer to this question.


67

Welfare facilities and Safety gears that exist on site

Analysis

After analysing results obtained, a revelation of the safety gears used by workers on the

building construction site are given in the bar chart, figure 4.17

Figure 4. 17: Welfare facilities and Safety gears on the building construction site (source:

primary data)


From figure 4.17, it can be seen that the safety gears used by the respondents on the

building construction sites are: 46 Fire extinguishers exist on building construction site,

1 Ambulance exist on building construction site, 29 First Aid rooms exist on building

construction site, 30 First Aid personnel exist on building construction site, 58


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Drinking water points exist on building construction site, 133 Gum boots exist on

building construction site, 61 Safety shoes exist on the building construction site, 29

Ear defenders exist on building construction site, 128 Overalls exist on the building

construction site, 108 Overcoats exist on the building construction site, 103 Helmets

exist on the building construction site, 23 Meal/rest rooms exist on the building

construction site, 38 Safety regulations exist on the building construction site, and

51 Security Personnel exist on building construction site.

Part 3: Factors attributed to building construction accidents

Indicate your degree of agreement or disagreement with each statement in reference to

construction site you are working on.

The table consists of the rankings of the opinions as per each respondent‟s view on the

category of hazards. The rankings/scores have been represented as:

Table 4. 1: representations of rankings/scores

Representations Rankings/Scores

HA Highly Agree

MA Moderately Agree

N Neutral

MD Moderately Disagree

HD Highly Disagree

These rankings too, have been assigned probabilistic numerical values as indicated below

to ascertain the degree of acceptance, undecided-ness and rejection of a suggestion by the

respondents.


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Table 4. 2: Numerical values of degree of acceptance, undecided-ness and rejection by

respondents

Opinion HA MA N MD HD

Score value 1.00 0.75 0.50 0.25 0.00

In the analysis of results, a combination of the sorted results from the field and the

rankings in table 4.19 is used to compute the percentage of respondents to any hazard and also

the rate of occurrences of the hazards determined. Below is a table showing how the table of

results have been generated using the formula of rating, R

R = ∑n(sa)

Where, n = frequency or the number of respondents in each category of the expected responses.

Sa = score values for each category of the degree of acceptance, undecided-ness and rejection.

The sample space is 300 participants for all categories of hazards in the table of results.

Table 4. 3: Demonstrations of computations involved in analysis of raw data

S. no. Example Opinion Frequency Percentage (%) Score (S) Rating (R)

1

Appropriat

e Personal

safety

procedure

not

specified

HA 15 15/300*100% = 5 1.00 R = (15*1)

+(27*0.75)

+(0*0.50) +

(70*0.25) +

(106*0) =

52.75

MA 27 27/300*100% = 9 0.75

N 0 0/300*100% = 0 0.50

MD 70 70/300*100% = 23.3 0.25

HD 106 106/300*100% = 35.3 0.00

To appreciate the score values used as a method of obtaining worker‟s opinion, only the

rated results obtained on the same basis is used to analyze and identify the most common

accident or hazards on sites affecting the workers.


70

Table 4. 4: Common likely causes of accidents/hazards on building construction sites

S. no. Likely causes of accidents Opinion Frequency Percentage

(%)

Score

(S)

Rating

(R)

1

Appropriate Personal safety

procedure not specified

HA 15 5 1.00

52.75 MA 27 9 0.75

N 0 0 0.50

MD 70 23.3 0.25

HD 106 35.3 0.00

2

Correct tools are not used for the

specific tasks

HA 10 3.3 1.00

47 MA 25 8.3 0.75

N 11 3.7 0.50

MD 51 17 0.25

HD 127 42.3 0.00

3

Lack of supervision and control on

worker’s adherence to wear safety

items

HA 40 13.3 1.00

98.25 MA 55 18.3 0.75

N 13 4.3 0.50

MD 42 14 0.25

HD 69 23 0.00

4

Safety regulations are not followed

HA 25 8.3 1.00

71.25 MA 17 5.7 0.75

N 31 10.3 0.50

MD 72 24 0.25

HD 38 12.7 0.00

5

No safety Engineer at site

HA 25 8.3 1.00

55.5 MA 7 2.3 0.75

N 33 11 0.50

MD 35 11.7 0.25

HD 58 19.3 0.00

6

Safety items are not available on

site

HA 3 1 1.00

52.25 MA 32 10.7 0.75

N 30 10 0.50

MD 41 13.7 0.25

HD 67 22.3 0.00

7

The management is pushing work

regardless of labourer’s ability

HA 82 27.3 1.00

137.5 MA 59 19.7 0.75

N 2 0.7 0.50

MD 41 13.7 0.25

HD 37 12.3 0.00

8

No or lack of weekly safety meeting

HA 5 1.7 1.00

61.25 MA 35 11.7 0.75

N 31 10.3 0.50

MD 58 19.3 0.25

HD 35 11.7 0.00

9

No training program for the worker

to implement the job

HA 60 20 1.00

77.5 MA 2 0.7 0.75

N 3 1 0.50

MD 58 19.3 0.25

HD 84 28 0.00

10

No written/known procedure for the

assigned job is available

HA 47 15.7 1.00

75 MA 16 5.3 0.75

N 1 0.3 0.50

MD 62 20.7 0.25

HD 93 31 0.00


71

11

Lack of appreciation after

completion of task

HA 76 25.3 1.00

123.25 MA 45 15 0.75

N 3 1 0.50

MD 48 16 0.25

HD 53 17.7 0.00

12

Some workers are suffering from

health problems

HA 0 0 1.00

39 MA 4 1.3 0.75

N 43 14.3 0.50

MD 58 19.3 0.25

HD 60 20 0.00

13

Workers are forced to work even if

there are not in an acceptable

physical condition

HA 0 0 1.00

47.5 MA 16 5.3 0.75

N 44 14.7 0.50

MD 54 18 0.25

HD 65 21.7 0.00

14

Physical fatigue can cause accident

HA 81 27 1.00

138.5 MA 65 21.7 0.75

N 8 2.7 0.50

MD 19 6.3 0.25

HD 29 9.7 0.00

15

Some workers are suffering from the

mental fatigue on the job

HA 15 5 1.00

66 MA 9 3 0.75

N 65 21.7 0.50

MD 47 15.7 0.25

HD 31 10.3 0.00

16

Work is performed while rushing

HA 16 5.3 1.00

74.25 MA 20 6.7 0.75

N 55 18.3 0.50

MD 63 21 0.25

HD 31 10.3 0.00

17

Accidents occur due to

misjudgement from the worker

HA 0 0 1.00

43.75 MA 5 1.7 0.75

N 50 16.7 0.50

MD 60 20 0.25

HD 45 15 0.00

18

Workers have no satisfaction with

the nature of the job

HA 1 0.3 1.00

44.25 MA 3 1 0.75

N 50 16.7 0.50

MD 64 21.3 0.25

HD 45 15 0.00

19

Workers do not have enough sleeping hours

HA 35 11.7 1.00

89.75 MA 52 17.3 0.75

N 14 4.7 0.50

MD 35 11.7 0.25

HD 32 10.7 0.00

20

Workers do not wear personal protection items

HA 5 1.7 1.00

39.25 MA 31 10.3 0.75

N 6 2 0.50

MD 32 10.7 0.25

HD 45 15 0.00

21

Workers take overtime

HA 65 21.7 1.00

88.25 MA 26 8.7 0.75

N 3 1 0.50


72

MD 9 3 0.25

HD 38 12.7 0.00

22

Workers are over confident

HA 5 1.7 1.00

39.75 MA 16 5.3 0.75

N 24 8 0.50

MD 43 14.3 0.25

HD 32 10.7 0.00

23

Lack of knowledge by workers on

wearing personal safety items

HA 19 6.3 1.00

66.25 MA 33 11 0.75

N 22 7.3 0.50

MD 46 15.3 0.25

HD 9 3 0.00

24

No cohesiveness/unity among job

crew

HA 17 5.7 1.00

29.75 MA 3 1 0.75

N 5 1.7 0.50

MD 32 10.7 0.25

HD 63 21 0.00

25

Not enough rest time during the task

HA 69 23 1.00

119.25 MA 57 19 0.75

N 6 2 0.50

MD 18 6 0.25

HD 30 10 0.00

26

Extreme weather conditions

contribute to accidents

HA 30 10 1.00

74.25 MA 20 6.7 0.75

N 57 19 0.50

MD 3 1 0.25

HD 0 0 0.00

27

The social life in Kampala city is

uncomfortable to the worker

HA 5 1.7 1.00

67.25 MA 52 17.3 0.75

N 37 12.3 0.50

MD 19 6.3 0.25

HD 5 1.7 0.00

28

Authorities (KCC, NEMA, LCs) visit

the site

HA 68 22.7 1.00

104.25 MA 40 13.3 0.75

N 3 1 0.50

MD 19 6.3 0.25

HD 6 2 0.00

29

Unsuitable living, housing and

transportation facilities for the worker

HA 6 2 1.00

56.25 MA 30 10 0.75

N 28 9.3 0.50

MD 55 18.3 0.25

HD 4 1.3 0.00

30

Job or task given are too difficult to perform

HA 3 1 1.00

53.25 MA 25 8.3 0.75

N 39 13 0.50

MD 48 16 0.25

HD 6 2 0.00

Results

The results got by the researcher are shown in the table 4.22


73

Table 4. 5: Likely causes of accidents on building construction site

Likely causes of accident Ranks Percentage (%)

Appropriate Personal safety procedure

not specified

52.75 2.5

Correct tools are not used for the

specific tasks

47 2.2

Lack of supervision and control on

worker’s adherence to wear safety

items

98.25 4.6

Safety regulations are not followed 71.25 3.3

No safety Engineer at site 55.5 2.6

Safety items are not available on site 52.25 2.5

The management is pushing work

regardless of labourer’s ability

137.5 6.4

No or lack of weekly safety meeting 61.25 2.9

No training program for the worker to

implement the job

77.5 3.6

No written/known procedure for the

assigned job is available

75 3.5

Lack of appreciation after completion of

task

123.25 5.8

Some workers are suffering from health

problems

39 1.8

Workers are forced to work even if

there are not in an acceptable physical

condition

47.5 2.2

Physical fatigue can cause accident 138.5 6.5

Some workers are suffering from the

mental fatigue on the job

66 3.1

Work is performed while rushing 74.25 3.5

Accidents occur due to misjudgement

from the worker

43.75 2.1

Workers have no satisfaction with the

nature of the job

44.25 2.1

Workers do not have enough sleeping

hours

89.75 4.2


74

Workers do not wear personal

protection items

39.25 1.8

Workers take overtime 88.25 4.1

Workers are over confident 39.75 1.9

Lack of knowledge by workers on

wearing personal safety items

66.25 3.1

No cohesiveness/unity among job crew 29.75 1.4

Not enough rest time during the task 119.25 5.6

Extreme weather conditions contribute

to accidents

74.25 3.5

The social life in Kampala city is

uncomfortable to the worker

67.25 3.2

Authorities (KCC, NEMA, LCs) visit the

site

104.25 4.9

Unsuitable living, housing and

transportation facilities for the worker

53.25 2.5

Job or task given are too difficult to

perform

56.25 2.6

Total 2132.25 100

Analysis

After analysing results obtained in table 4.22, a revelation of the likely causes of accidents on

building construction site are shown in the bar chart figures 4.18, 4.19, and 4.20.


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Figure 4. 18: Accident factors attributed to management (Source: primary data)

Figure 4. 19: Accident factors attributed to the workers (source: primary data)


76

Figure 4. 20: Accident factors attributed to the project (source: primary data)


From figures 4.18, 4.19, 4.20, it can be seen that the likely causes of accidents on

building construction site are: Appropriate Personal safety procedure not specified, was ranked

52.75 (2.5%); Correct tools are not used for the specific tasks, was ranked 47 (2.2%); Lack of

supervision and control on worker’s adherence to wear safety items, was ranked 98.25 (4.6%);

Safety regulations are not followed, was ranked 71.25 (3.3%); No safety Engineer at site, was

ranked 55.5 (2.6%); Safety items are not available on site, was ranked 52.25 (2.5%); The

management is pushing work regardless of labourer’s ability, was ranked 137.5 (6.4%); No or

lack of weekly safety meeting, was ranked 61.25 (2.9%); No training program for the worker to

implement the job, was ranked 77.5 (3.6%); No written/known procedure for the assigned job

is available, was ranked 75 (3.5%); Lack of appreciation after completion of task, was ranked

123.25 (5.8%); Some workers are suffering from health problems, was ranked 39 (1.8%);

Workers are forced to work even if there are not in an acceptable physical condition, was


77

ranked 47.5 (2.2%); Physical fatigue can cause accident, was ranked 138.5 (6.5%); Some

workers are suffering from the mental fatigue on the job, was ranked 66 (3.1%); Work is

performed while rushing, was ranked 74.25 (3.5%); Accidents occur due to misjudgement from

the worker, was ranked 43.75 (2.1%); Workers have no satisfaction with the nature of the job,

was ranked 44.25 (2.1%); Workers do not have enough sleeping hours, was ranked 89.75

(4.2%); Workers do not wear personal protection items, was ranked 39.25 (1.8%); Workers take

overtime, was ranked 88.25 (4.1%); Workers are over confident, was ranked 39.75 (1.9%); Lack

of knowledge by workers on wearing personal safety items, was ranked 66.25 (3.1%); No

cohesiveness/unity among job crew, was ranked 29.75 (1.4%); Not enough rest time during the

task, was ranked, 119.25 (5.6%); Extreme weather conditions contribute to accidents, was

ranked 74.25 (3.5%); The social life in Kampala city is uncomfortable to the worker, was

ranked 67.25 (3.2%); Authorities (KCC, NEMA, LCs) visit the site, was ranked 104.25 (4.9%);

Job or tasks given are too difficult to perform, was ranked 53.25 (2.5%); and Unsuitable living,

housing and transportation facilities for the worker , was ranked 56.25 (2.6%).


78

CHAPTER FIVE

DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

Introduction

To understand and identify the causes leading to occupational building construction site

accidents, presentation, analysis, and interpretation of results were done in chapter 4.

Part 1: Respondents’ personal data

The first part was general information about the respondents working on the building

construction site. Information included sex, age, job title, education, years of experience, income

per day, health history, and area where the respondents live. These are explained below:

Sex

Gender balance is very important when it comes to the construction industry. With 211

(70%) male and 16 (6%) female working on the building construction sites and 73 respondents

(24%) did not answer this question. It indicates that there is still a very big gap in the recruitment

of female workers on the building construction sites.

Women have been to believe that most of the work on the building construction sites is

supposed to be done by the men. Yet women are believed to be very careful when it comes to

safety issues. Women‟s involvement in the building construction activities will reduce the

rampant accidents occurring on the building construction sites these days. There should also be a

policy which directs employers on a certain minimum percentage of women employees an

employer should have on a building construction site.


79

Age and years of experience

This is very important when it comes to the building construction industry. The study has

revealed that the majority of the respondents 111(37%) and 89 (29.7%) are of age 18 – 30 years

and 30 – 40 years respectively. Also, 55 (37%) of the respondents have less than 5 years of

experience. This indicates that the construction industry is dominated by younger people and less

experienced workers, which may contribute greatly to the causation of accidents on the building

construction sites within Kampala district.

It should also be noted with concern of 4 (1.3%) of the respondents who are minors

(below 18 years). This is a violation of children‟s rights whereby, children are not supposed to be

employed on the building construction sites. But with the high rate of drop-outs from schools,

increasing poverty rates and high moral decay among children and adults in Uganda; many

children resort to work on the building construction sites in search for survival. The children

involved in the execution of heavy tasks on the building construction sites have greatly increased

occupational accidents on the building construction sites in Kampala district and Uganda at

large.

The authorities should put up policies which make sure that certain activities on the

building construction sites are performed by people with certain experience and age. As it is for

district engineers whom are required to have a requirement of nine years and should be

registered with the Uganda Institute of Professional Engineers. Also law concerning child labour

should be enforced by all stakeholders.


80

Job title

Job title helps in putting the building construction site in order as labourers will know

who is who on the building construction site. When it comes to the safety at the building

construction site, someone must give orders to the workers to be followed. The research revealed

that only a few top personnel are always on the building construction sites. For example, only 14

(4.7%) figure 4.3, were site engineers that means that people with key positions who must give

orders on the building construction sites, may be handling more than one sites at a time which

may lead to the labourers at the lower ranks to neglect safety regulations. This may be one of the

major causation of accidents on the building construction sites.

The project specifications should stipulate on the presence of people concerned with

safety and construction works always to be present on the building construction sites; and the

authorities should always ensures that these people are available on the building construction

sites always.

Education background

Uganda is still faced with high illiteracy levels and many people who stopped in primary

and secondary schools. This affects the workers‟ ability to read and interpret the safety

guidelines which may lead to non compliance of these guidelines, hence causing of accidents on

the building construction sites. The study has revealed that of the respondents at the building

construction sites, 6 (2.0%) are illiterate, 56 (18.7%) are of primary level and 73 (24.3%) are of

secondary level, figure 4.4. This is quite a bigger number where by the majority of these people

cannot read or interpret safety rules and regulations, and other documents which are in line with

educating about safety issues.


81

Site managements should always be in position to translate these documents into the

languages the workers understands best, or they should be in position to hold regular site

meetings to explain these documents to all workers.

Income per day

An income of a worker can be a motivating factor or a de-motivating factor which may

lead to the good or poor performance of the worker. Of all the respondents in this study, a bigger

number of respondents 111 (37%) earn between 5000/= to 10,000/= and 3 (1%) earn less than

5,000/=.

With the increasing standard of living within Kampala city and its suburbs, this money is

very little for someone to survive on it with their families. This may lead to the workers being

stressed while working as is thinking of where to get extra money to supplement his/her pay.

This kind of condition may lead to the worker making errors as executing his/her job hence

causing accidents on the building construction sites. Others resort to stealing of construction

materials or buying substandard construction materials such that they get more money to survive.

This has greatly contributed to the increasing collapse of structures under construction.

The government should fix a minimum wage for the people working on the building

construction sites and should be revised always as the standard of living changes.

Health history

When a worker is having a health problem, is more likely to cause accident than the one

who does not have. According to the research, 21 (7%) of the respondents have health problems.

Of those with health problems, 4 (19%) have diabetes, 1 (4.8%) have high blood pressure, 4

(19%) have heart problems, and 12 (57.1%) have other diseases. When these people are being

given jobs to work on the building construction sites, their health records are not revealed or

asked. The employer may assign work to a worker with a health problem and because the worker


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does not want to lose the job, tries on the work. In such situations the worker may fail during the

operation and end up causing an accident which may endanger the healthier co-workers.

The government should put up policies which demands to keep health record of all

workers on the building construction sites. The employer should also assign workers with tasks

according to their health status.

Place where respondents reside

The distance travelled by the worker from where he/she reside to the work place is most

likely to affect the performance of the worker on the building construction site. The research

conducted revealed that a bigger majority of the workers reside outside Kampala city 76 (25.3%)

figure 4.9, yet most of the construction work is carried out within the central division 78 (26%)

figure 4.10.

This longer distance the worker travels can make him/her tired and when coupled with

the traffic jam it can make the worker get late to the worker place. The employer may abuse, or

make the worker not to work that day, or the worker may be forced to work when he/she is tired.

All these affect the performance of the worker which may lead to the worker making errors while

working hence causing accidents.

The employer should always try to employ workers within the locality of the site, as this

will solve the problem of coming late to work and making the employees get tired in the morning

hours. Also the workers should always be encouraged to come earlier than their start of working

so that they get on time and have enough rest before they start executing their tasks.


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Part 2: Accidents and Site conditions

Division of Kampala, where the site is located

Most of the building construction sites are located within the central division 78 (31.1%)

figure 4.10. This may have an effect on workers as they execute their tasks. Kampala district

especially the central division is congested and so many activities take place which distract the

attention of the workers leading them to make mistakes on the building construction sites, hence

causing accidents.

Still most of the lands within the Kampala district are located in water logged places like

swamps which makes it difficult to construct within such areas if necessary measures are not

taken. This might lead to the collapse of soils and structures under construction.

The government should ensure that all necessary precautions are taken before allowing

developers to start executing their projects on the intended land. The employer should always put

up hoardings which are tall enough to obstruct workers from activities taking place outside their

buildings.

Ownership of the building construction site

Most of the owners of the building construction sites are private institutions 116 (38.7%)

and individuals 44 (14.7%) figure 4.11. The private institutions and individuals have a will to do

whatever they feel like doing; especially they encourage much selective bidding. This leads to

the use of incompetent workers. They have a tendency of omitting certain activities during the

construction process which are part of the contract documents in the name saving money. For

example carrying out geo-technical investigations and testing of building materials may be

ignored yet these have contributed a lot to the increasing occurrence of accidents within Kampala

district and the country at large.


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There should be a policy in place which forces all developers to use professionals and

carry out necessary tests before the work commences and also during the process of executing

work.

Types of accidents ever occurred on the building construction site

The research revealed that many accidents occur on the building construction sites. Much

as they are not recorded by the site officials, they endanger workers and in most cases they can

even cause death in the long run.

The most five types of accidents from figure 4.12, which ever occurred on the building

construction sites the researcher visited are as follows:

134 (29.5%) struck by materials accidents were attributed by poor stacking of building

materials on the building construction sites and non availability of walk ways on the

building construction sites. This type of accident occurs on almost all building

construction sites and a daily basis.

110 (24.2%) tool accidents, is another common accident that frequently occurring on the

building construction sites. Tools are always left unattended to on the building

construction sites and in many cases, certain tools are not serviced and some parts are

stolen, which may lead to their failure during operations hence leading to cause of

accidents. It is suggested that tools should always be inspected before use for their

suitability for the proposed work. It was also noted that nails and sharp metals are always

left all over the building construction sites which in turn harm workers on sites hence

causing accidents.

52 (11.5%) falling from ladder accidents is another type of common accidents that occur

on building construction sites. This is attributed by the use of weak ladders which lead to


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their breakage. In most cases some workers do not use safety belts while on ladders such

that in case of accidents, they can be held by the safety belts.

47 (10.4%) falling objects from height accidents. Falling objects like timber pieces in

case of roofing, nails, hammers, dust, bricks, concrete, blocks and iron sheets can cause

accidents if the worker on whom these objects have fallen on is not properly protected

with the safety gears like helmet. Such objects should be put in one place where they

cannot fall, or they should warn workers not to pass under areas where likely falling

objects is to occur. Also platforms should always be erected such that in case of objects

fall, they can be held by these platforms.

33 (7.3%) falling from height accident is the fifth accident that is most frequently

occurring on the building construction site. This is attributed by the workers not using

safety belts while at raised heights such that in case of failure of the platform or ladders,

they can be held by the safety belts. At times, the platforms are slippery and others are

weak to support the users and the construction materials.

Apart from the above accidents, there are many other accidents which occur on the building

construction sites like contact with electricity, crane accidents, gas explosion, failure of lift

device, exposure to hazardous material, trench accidents, fall from roof opening, pit accidents,

slip/trip fall same level, scaffolding accidents, natural causes accidents, machinery vehicle

accidents to mention but a few.

The management of these building construction sites should always be vigilant such that

likely occurrence of accidents can be detected earlier so that mitigation measures are put in

place.


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Periods when accidents occurred

The research revealed that most of the accidents that occur on building construction sites

usually occur between 10:00am – 1:00pm 70 (23.3%) and between 4:00pm – 5:00pm 80 (26.7%)

figure 4.13. This is attributed to inexperienced labourers, together with employers putting a lot of

pressure on the employees to do a lot of work within a short period of time. This makes the

workers not concentrate on their jobs hence causing accidents.

The study also put forward that the bigger percentage of accidents occur during overtime

hours (5:00pm – 7:00pm) 90 (30%). Most of the time overtime is taken by workers who have

been toiling all day long and their bodies are tired. But because their pay is little as seen in table

4.6, they tend to take on over time such that they can earn more extra money to meet their

demands. This can lead to these workers‟ poor performance because of fatigue, hence leading to

an accident in the long run.

There should be a policy which stipulates the minimum number of worker a person

should work on a daily basis like as it is in most of developed countries.

Weather conditions during when accidents occurred

The research revealed that most of the accidents usually occur during rainy periods 57

(19%) and windy periods 19 (6.3%) figure 4.14. On most building construction sites, work does

not stop during rainy periods which make the surface of the site slippery and workers lose

concentration hence leading to causation of accidents. For the case of windy periods, stronger

winds can cause building materials to fall if placed on raised buildings, causing accidents on

building construction sites.

There should be a policy which stipulates on how to carry out activities during such

unfavourable conditions.


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Month in which accidents occurred on the building construction site

The study revealed that most of the accidents on building construction sites occurred

mostly in the month of October – December 63 (21%) and April – June 47 (15.7%) figure 4.15.

Accidents which occur mostly between April to June are attributed to hurry of completing of

projects before the end of the financial year. The employers make the workers to perform tasks

hurriedly and such situations workers forget to take safety precaution hence causing accidents.

For the case of the month between October – December, employers and employees want

to complete as many projects as possible such that they get money for the Christmas festivals.

This makes them work hurriedly and in the process this can lead to occurrence of accidents on

building construction sites.

Whether contractors have insurance policies towards the workers

Majority of the respondents said no insurance policies towards them 108 (36%), while 98

(33%) said that they do not know whether the contractor has insurance policy or not for them;

and the rest 78 (26%) of the respondents said that the employers have insurance policies for

them. It was noted with concern that a bigger percentage of the contractors do not insure their

workers which makes it difficult the worker to be compensated in case of an accident.

The government should come up with a policy which ensures that all workers on building

construction sites are insured.

Welfare facilities and Safety gears that exist on building construction sites

The research revealed that most of the building construction sites mind of protecting the

bodies of the workers like providing them gumboots 133, overall 128, overcoats 108 and helmets

103 from figure 4.17. But the employers neglect other equally important welfare facilities and

safety gears like fire extinguishers, first aid rooms, first aid personnel, drinking water, meal/rest

room, safety regulations, to mention but a few.


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All these should be provided and the local authorities should make sure that the project

has such facilities before the commencement of the project.

Part 3: Factors attributed to construction accidents

The aim of this part is to carefully examine and focus on the root causes of occupational

accidents that occur on the building construction sites in order to improve safety performance in

the construction industry. It identifies the major causes surrounding occupational building

construction accidents. Factors that can be attributed to occupational building construction

accidents were collected and identified through questionnaires given to workers on the building

construction sites within Kampala city. Then a total of 30 causes of accidents were categorised in

the three groups: management factors, human factors and the project factors.

Table 5. 1: The ranking of factors contributing to occupational building construction accidents

S.

No.

Group Likely causes of accident Ranks Percentage

(%)

1

Man

agem

ent

Rel

ated

Fac

tors

Appropriate Personal safety procedure not specified 52.75 2.5

2 Correct tools are not used for the specific tasks 47 2.2

3 Lack of supervision and control on worker‟s adherence to

wear safety items

98.25 4.6

4 Safety regulations are not followed 71.25 3.3

5 No safety Engineer at site 55.5 2.6

6 Safety items are not available on site 52.25 2.5

7 The management is pushing work regardless of labourer‟s

ability

137.5 6.4


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8 No or lack of weekly safety meeting 61.25 2.9

9 No training program for the worker to implement the job 77.5 3.6

10 No written/known procedure for the assigned job is

available

75 3.5

11 Lack of appreciation after completion of task 123.25 5.8

12

Work

er R

elat

ed F

acto

rs

Some workers are suffering from health problems 39 1.8

13 Workers are forced to work even if there are not in an

acceptable physical condition

47.5 2.2

14 Physical fatigue can cause accident 138.5 6.5

15 Some workers are suffering from the mental fatigue on

the job

66 3.1

16 Work is performed while rushing 74.25 3.5

17 Accidents occur due to misjudgement from the worker 43.75 2.1

18 Workers have no satisfaction with the nature of the job 44.25 2.1

19 Workers do not have enough sleeping hours 89.75 4.2

20 Workers do not wear personal protection items 39.25 1.8

21 Workers take overtime 88.25 4.1

22 Workers are over confident 39.75 1.9

23 Lack of knowledge by workers on wearing personal

safety items

66.25 3.1

24

Job,

Envir

onm

enta

l

and s

oci

al

fact

ors

No cohesiveness/unity among job crew 29.75 1.4

25 Not enough rest time during the task 119.25 5.6

26 Extreme weather conditions contribute to accidents 74.25 3.5


90

27 The social life in Kampala city is uncomfortable to the

worker

67.25 3.2

28 Authorities (KCC, NEMA, LCs) visit the site 104.25 4.9

29 Unsuitable living, housing and transportation facilities for

the worker

53.25 2.5

30 Job or task given are too difficult to perform 56.25 2.6

Top 11 out of 30 factors likely to cause occupational accidents on building construction site

in Kampala

Table 5.1 shows the relative importance ranks and percentages of the 30 occupational

accidents‟ factors as postulated by the workers on the building construction sites in Kampala

city. The top 11 factors attributed to occupational accidents were mainly management – related

with five factors in the management group, four factors related to workers and two factors related

to nature of job. These top 11 factors are as follows:

1. Physical fatigue can cause occupational building construction accidents, 138.5 (6.5%) -

work related factor.

2. The management is pushing work regardless of labourer‟s ability, 137.5 (6.4%) -

management related factor.

3. Lack of appreciation after completion of task, 123.25 (5.8%) – management related

factor.

4. Not enough rest time during the task, 119.25 (5.6%) – job related factor.

5. Lack of supervision and control on worker‟s adherence to wear safety wear, 98.25 (4.6%)

- management related factor.


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6. Workers do not have enough sleeping hours, 89.75 (4.2%) - work related factor.

7. Workers take overtime, 88.25 (4.1%) - work related factor.

8. No training program for the worker to implement the job 77.5 (3.6%) - management

related factor.

9. No written/known procedure for the assigned job is available, 75 (3.5%) - management

related factor.

10. Extreme weather conditions contribute to accidents, 74.25 (3.5%) - job related factor.

11. Work is performed while rushing, 74.25 (3.5%) - work related factor.

Detailed discussion of the results on the three different groups of occupational building

construction accidents

The following is a discussion of the results on each of the three different groups of

occupational building construction accidents as deduced from table 5.1:

Factors attributed to the management

This group of accidents‟ factors were ranked high by the respondents. It had five of the top

11 factors causing occupational building construction accidents. The management is pushing

work regardless of labourer‟s ability was considered the top cause of accidents in the group; and

it ranked second over the 30 factors. Lack of appreciation after completion of task; lack of

supervision and control on worker‟s adherence to wear safety items; no training program for the

worker to implement the job; and no written/known procedure for the assigned job is available,

were among the five very important causes of occupational building construction accidents.

It should also be noted with concern that the respondents also rated other causes of

occupational building construction accidents like appropriate personal safety procedure not


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specified; correct tools are not used for the specific tasks; safety regulations are not followed; no

safety engineer at the site; and no or lack of weekly safety meetings.

It is evident that the workers are calling for the contractors to fulfil their duties by providing

safety instructions and training programs as necessary steps to ensure safety at the site. These

acts or omissions by the employers affect the workers‟ performance. To satisfy the general duty

of safety training, employers in the construction industry should find it necessary to provide

training at several levels from a basic introduction to safety for everyone on their building

construction sites in order to satisfy training courses for managerial staff and other staff

members. Safety should form part of all training for construction activities not only at building

construction sites but also in schools, homes, universities and other places.

Furthermore, safety meetings should be used as a vehicle to review the effectiveness of the

project safety efforts; to resolve current health and safety problems; to provide a forum for

planning safe construction activities; to plan ahead for new or change operations; and to update

the accident prevention program. Documents and meetings on safety at building construction

sites should always be translated such that every worker understands the safety issues.

The management should always value the workers and stop pushing them to do activities

even if these workers are not capable of handling such activities. The management should also

motivate workers by appreciating them whenever a task is complete. This will show a sign of

belongingness on the side of workers and hence improve their performance while on their

respective duties.

Building construction sites with more than 12 workers should be provided with a permanent

safety worker. The management should also ensure that all safety gears required by the workers


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while executing their work are provided; and make sure that all workers are protected all the time

while on the building construction sites.

Worker related factors

This group was ranked second by the respondents. Four factors were among the top 11

accident causing factors. Out of the 30 accidents causing factors, the top most came from this

group which is physical fatigue can cause accidents. Others were workers take overtime, workers

do not have enough sleeping hours, and work is performed while rushing.

These factors rated by the respondents have really unearthed the true picture of what is

happening on the building construction sites within Kampala district. Due to the fact that the

construction industry is dominated by mainly youth about 38% less than 30 years as revealed

earlier in this study; and about 38% earn as little as less than 10,000/=. Workers on the building

construction sites are forced to take on overtime in search of more money which brings about

fatigue in their bodies. It should also be noted that these workers 97% reside outside central

division, yet most of building construction sites 26% are located within central division. This

makes these workers to travel longer distances and endure the rampant jam within the city centre

and by the time they reach the place work they are tired. Others, majority being youth go to

discotheques and bars to enjoy themselves, go to bed late yet wake up very early hence getting

little sleep. When all these factors are logically combined, they give a clear picture on the likely

causes of occupational accidents on building construction sites.

The respondents also rated some of the other likely causes of accidents on the building

construction sites like: some workers are suffering from health problems; workers are forced to

work even if they are not in an acceptable conditions; some workers are suffering from the

mental fatigue on the job; accidents occur due to misjudgement from the workers; workers have


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no satisfaction with the nature of the job; workers are over confident; lack of knowledge by

workers on wearing personal safety items; and workers do not wear personal protection items.

Basing on all these factors the respondents raised, it calls for some guidance to be given

to workers on how to safe guard themselves and be trained on issues pertaining safety. Building

construction sites should have counsellors in addition to the safety officers to handle additional

problems of the workers which need their services.

Project related factors

This group was rated last but not least with two factors out of the top 11 factors that are

likely to cause accidents on the building construction sites. The respondents raised one of the

most important factors which came fourth among the top eleven factors which is: not enough rest

time is given to workers during the task. This can be seen by the fewer rest rooms 2.7% which

exist on the building construction sites. In Kampala district, workers are supposed to start at

8:00am and end at 6:00pm on most the construction sites with an allowance of one hour for

lunch of which in most cases lunch is not provided for by the employers. This is not enough time

for resting and the employers should always be in position to provide more time of rest at least

two to three hours during the day.

Extreme weather conditions contribute to accident was also among the most eleven

factors that contribute to the occurrence of accidents. As seen earlier, respondents said that 57%

of the accidents occurred during rainy periods and 19% occurred during windy periods. This

calls for management to always put on hold work whenever it is raining or there is too much

wind such that workers do not make mistakes during such extreme weather conditions.

These results are expressed by the workers on the building construction sites, and the

workers attributed the causes of accidents on the management of the projects and on the workers


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themselves. This calls for all stakeholders in the building construction industry to do their part on

issues concerning safety; and the local authority should always monitor to see that safety and

health regulations are adhered to by all stakeholders on the building construction sites.

Possible policies or other suggestions

The Town and Country Planning Act – 1951

This act consolidates the provisions for the orderly and progressive development of land,

towns and other areas whether urban or rural

The occupational Safety and Health Act – 2006

This Act consolidates, harmonises, and updates the law relating to Occupational safety

and health; to repeal the Factories Act, Cap 220 and to provide for connected matters.

The Public Health Act – 1935

This Act consolidates the law regarding the preservation of public health.

According to Carol Carysforth, and Maureen Rawlinson, 1994, the following safety and

health regulations should be followed as stipulated below:

The Health and Safety at work Act 1974

Applies to all work premises, any one on the premises is covered by and has

responsibilities under the Act; whether employees, supervisors, directors, or visitors.

Requires all employers to as far as far as reasonably practicable ensure the health, safety

and welfare at work of their employees. This particularly relates to aspects such as: safe

working environment; well maintained safe equipment; provision of protective gears;

availability of information on safety; and appropriate training and supervision.


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Requires all employees to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of

others who may be affected by their activities; and cooperate with the employer and

anyone acting on his/her behalf to meet health and safety requirements.

Work – Place (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992

Employers and others in control of work places are required to comply with a set of

requirements covering:

Safety which should include safely constructed doors, gates and escalators; and

safeguards to prevent people or objects falling from a height.

Facilities like sufficient toilets and washing facilities; adequate supply of portable water;

suitable accommodation for clothing; and rest areas including provision for pregnant

women or nursing mothers.

Safety Equipments

Not all safety equipments relate purely to work environment, the personal protective

equipments at work place requires that every employer should ensure that suitable personal

protective gears are provided to the workers who may be exposed to risky conditions while at

work except that risk has been adequately controlled by other means which are equally or more

effective. The four main types of protective equipments are:

Head protective gears such as industrial safety helmets, scalp protectors, caps, hairnets

and others.

Eye protective gears such as safety spectacles, eye shields, safety goggles, face shields

and others.

Foot protective gears such as safety boots or shoes with reinforced toe caps, slip-resistant

soles, foundry boots which are heat resistant, wellington boots for protection against


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water, anti-static foot wear to prevent build up of static electricity and to give some

protection against electric shock and others.

Hand protective gears such as gloves designed to protect from cuts and abrasions,

extreme temperatures, skin irritation and dermatitis, contact with toxic or corrosive

liquids. In some cases protective clothing for body is also necessary like overalls

overcoats or aprons to protect against chemicals and other hazardous substances.

Accident monitoring

The records of accidents should always be examined regularly to:

Compare accident rates in the organisation with national statistics.

Identify areas of particular concern.

Identify improvements or deterioration in standards

Identify any area of change which may affect statistics like the introduction of a new

production process.

Check that any recommendations have been taken

Attending to an accident

All persons who are first to reach the scene of an accident, should examine themselves whether

they are qualified as first aiders or not. Whatever the status, it is always important to ensure that

nothing is moved or disturbed so that judgement of anyone who is involved in investigating why

the accident occurred is not affected.


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CHAPTER SIX

RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION

Conclusion

Building construction sites can be considered as the most dangerous types of working

environments. Many publications conclude that construction has more accidents of greater

severity than any other industrial sector and is responsible for a significant proportion of

industrial safety and health problems.

The Ugandan construction industry is no exception and like many other countries,

Uganda has a poor safety record. With an obsolete factories act in place, the Ugandan

Government has made no concerted effort to improve safety performance in the construction

industry. The recent construction disasters have awakened government to hasten the process of

updating the factories act and to put mechanism in place to ensure compliance.

While it may be urged that construction contractors have a moral, economic and legal

commitment to ensure that working conditions on site are healthy and safer; the responsibility for

safety must commence upstream of the construction phase of a project. Previous writers concur

that improvements in the performance of safety could be sustained if at design and tender stage

design philosophy and any matters pertaining to safety and health are brought to the attention of

the contractor. The aim of the research was to study the pattern of occupational accidents at

building construction sites in Kampala district.


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Objective 1: The research established the common occupational accidents that occur on the

building construction sites in Kampala district as:

1. Struck by materials accidents 134 (29.5%).

2. Tool accidents 110 (24.2%).

3. Fall from ladder accidents 52 (11.5%).

4. Falling objects from height accidents 47 (10.4%).

5. Fall from height accidents 33 (7.3%).

6. Exposure to hazardous materials accidents 28 (6.2%)

Objective 2: The research revealed most 10 factors that are likely to cause occupational

accidents on the building construction sites in Kampala districts as:

1. Physical fatigue can cause occupational building construction accidents, 138.5 (6.5%).

2. The management is pushing work regardless of labourer‟s ability, 137.5 (6.4%).

3. Lack of appreciation after completion of task, 123.25 (5.8%).

4. Not enough rest time during the task, 119.25 (5.6%).

5. Lack of supervision and control on worker‟s adherence to wear safety wear, 98.25

(4.6%).

6. Workers do not have enough sleeping hours, 89.75 (4.2%).

7. Workers take overtime, 88.25 (4.1%).

8. No training program for the worker to implement the job 77.5 (3.6%).

9. No written/known procedure for the assigned job is available, 75 (3.5%).

10. Work is performed while rushing, 74.25 (3.5%).


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These factors should be considered as important elements in any company safety program

and should be used as means for overcoming and reducing construction safety problems in

Kampala district and Uganda at large.

The main causes of building construction accidents on site in Kampala district are related to

management and workers or human related factors; while the project nature factors have no

larger effect as revealed by the respondents on the ranking of accidents on building construction

sites.

Objective 3: The researcher suggested the following to be done in order to minimise accidents

on the building construction sites in Kampala district.

All Stake holders in the Construction Industry should know and perform their Duties and

Responsibilities.

Human resource is the most valuable form of resource but many workers are killed and

others injured because of accidents on construction sites. Safety in construction is one of the

most important but somewhat neglected aspects in the construction industry. Unfortunately, this

happens not only at the micro-level but even on a national level to some extent. With the

advancement in technology, the need for proper attention to the safety has become very

important. The wide range of construction and building operations with new and complex

techniques have brought new problems to light.

The construction industry employs a labour force which is more than that employed by

any other industry. It is also the least organised and as a result there is a scope for exploitation of

the labour. In spite of the recent legislations, the worker discontent is rampant and this has

created new areas of conflict. Above all, the lack of proper attention to occupational safety and

health measures has created a difficult situation. Stake holders are persons or companies that are


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involved in a particular organisation, project or system especially because they have rested

interest in it. In construction, the main stake holders include the client, contractor, contractor‟s

employees, Designers/Architect, suppliers and manufacturers of materials and goods used on

site, local authority operatives among others. Nevertheless, safety is a concern for all in the

industry from the top management to the operative on site.

Contractor

Contractors who are one of the stake holders in the construction industry are obliged to

produce a statement of their overall policy regards to safety and their responsibilities are as

follows:

1. They are to provide and maintain safe plants and equipments, and safe systems of work.

Since a good number of accidents on site are attributed to plants, machinery and

transport. It is important that the contractors should provide adequate information on the

safe use of various items of construction plants. Most accidents connected with plant and

machines are caused by failure to observe the basic safety precautions. Therefore, the

contractors should provide adequate practical training for skilled operatives and

supervisors.

2. A contractor should arrange for ensuring the safe use, handling, storage and transport of

articles and substances. Materials and equipments must not only be loaded in a safe

manner but also with due regard to the safe unloading at its destination. With the

increasing usage of flammable liquids such as white spirits, paints and adhesives, the fire

prevention association should provide a guide on their fire safety. Bottled gases

commonly used on construction sites, also requires the same careful attention to safe

practices.


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3. A contractor should provide information, instructions, training and supervision necessary

to ensure the employees‟ health and safety on construction site. All contractors should

recommend safe practices and specific advice about various items of plants and potential

hazardous materials. All plant operators must be properly trained, experienced and

careful; and this requires some form of authorisation to operate them. Safety officers

should also be appointed on site, which have more than twenty (20) employees. They are

to assist the site management in the implementation of the construction firm‟s safety

policy and offer advice where necessary to ensure regulations covering safety are being

observed.

4. They should also ensure that all places of work have a safe means of access to and egress

from, that is without risk to safety and health. Particular attention is required in planning

offices, huts, canteens, disposal of rubbish, smoking, heating appliances, flammable

liquids and gases, machinery and welding appliances. Access to the works may involve

ladders, scaffolds or hoists in compliancy with the Act.

5. The contractor should provide and maintain a working environment that is safe without

risk to health and adequate as regards to facilities and arrangements for welfare at work.

First Aid kit and Ambulances, shelters and accommodation, washing facilities and

sanitary conveniences, and protective gears (jackets, over alls, over coats, helmets, safety

shoes, safety belts, boots, and goggles) all these should be provided by the contractor on

the construction site.

6. The contractor should have a sense of duty to other people other than the employees on

site. These are usually visitors or passersby, the client and consultants. They should

ensure that they are not exposed to risks as to their health and safety. The contractor


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should give such persons the prescribed information about any aspect of the way in which

he/she conducts his/her undertaking as might affect their health and safety. The building

site should be fenced off from dangerous excavations and holes and the protection of the

public on disturbed pathways or in adjoining buildings. A notice should be put up for all

visitors warning of the inherent dangers on the construction site. The control of noise on

construction sites is necessary in the interest of both operatives and the community.

Employees

The workers on site are obliged to maintain and follow the safety and health regulations.

The following are their main duties:

1. The employees are to take reasonable care at work for their own health and safety; and

also for their colleagues and members of the public. This can be achieved by careful

handling of the materials and equipments on the construction site and even making sure

that they utilise properly the facilities which have been provided by their employers and

even ask for those that are missing.

2. The employees are required to cooperate with their employers to meet the requirements

of the occupational safety and health Act. When the employer implements some of the

regulations in the Act, the employee should be responsible and follow the

rules/precautions as stated in the Act.

3. The employees are also required not to be intentionally or recklessly abuse anything

provided in the interest of health, safety and welfare on the construction site. For example

misuse of protective gears, mishandling of hand tools, removal of sign posts prohibiting

people to go beyond a certain point, removal of lights by employees.


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Manufacturers and Suppliers

These are also stake holders in the construction industry who should implement health

and safety regulations on site. It is the duty of persons who design, manufacture, import or

supply any articles or substances for use on the construction sites to ensure that it‟s designed and

constructed as to be safe and without risk to health when properly used. In particular they must

make available adequate information about the use for which the article is designed and has been

tested; and about any conditions necessary to ensure that when put to that use it will be safe and

without risk to health. This usually applies to manufacturers/sellers of plant, equipment and

machinery used in construction operations and a wide variety of materials and chemicals also

used during the construction process.

Designers/Architects

Designers also have a responsibility to ensure that projects are designed to be of safe

construction when subsequently built. In civil engineering, this includes the safety of temporary

works such as methods of earth support, shoring, formwork and others in addition to the

structural stability of permanent works such as bridges, dams, and tunnels. The following are the

various roles performed by the Architect:

1. The Architect interprets the client‟s dreams. This is achieved by sitting together with the

client who explains to the architect his desired plans and interests, and then comes up

with the plan and outlook of the building. This plan is then subjected to discussions by

the client and the architect; alterations are made until the final plans of the house are

made.

2. The architect helps in developing and preparing the architectural drawings after reaching

a consensus with the client.


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3. The architect monitors the implementation of the drawings through regular visits to the

construction site.

4. Helps in developing architectural specifications of the project/building such as the type of

doors and windows and the roofing style.

5. Represents the client on the construction site, this is done so as to ensure that the proper

implementation of the architectural drawings and specifications is adhered to.

6. Helps in preparing the layout and arrangement of structures on any site such as the layout

of site offices, conference halls and welfare facilities.

7. In case of any query by the structural engineer about the architectural drawings, the

architect is always there to explain to the structural engineer such that the proper

structural drawings are made.

8. The architect issues certificate of completion after completion of project. The architect

also issues a certificate of making defects good, normally six months after the completion

of the project.

9. Arranges the inaugural meetings with the contractor to agree on certain pertinent issues

that may arise such as the pre-planning period before work is concerned. This is done

after the contractor has been selected.

10. Responsible for assembling other members of the construction team required for the

implementation of the project. These may include contractor, structural engineer and

quantity surveyors among others.

11. Works as an arbitrator in case there is disagreement between the client and any

construction team.


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Structural Engineer

1. Prepares the structural design of the building, which involves the structural analysis and

design to come up with the right member types and sizes for structural stability.

2. The structural engineer also helps in coming up with the structural drawings which act as

guidelines during the implementation of the building project.

3. Assist in the implementation of structural drawings, which is achieved through close

supervision of the construction.

4. The structural engineer ensures that the structure is sound (stable) and makes sure that the

work done complies with the structural plans.

5. Helps in developing structural specifications which include structural members and their

workmanship.

6. Advices the architect in some areas of the design where constructability is not practical.

7. The structural engineer plays a role of re-designing, modifying the structural design if

need be as the work progresses.

Local Authorities

Local authorities are also stake holders in the construction industry; they have a

responsibility to ensure that the construction site is located in the right place which is safe for

human use or the occupants and also for the employees who are working on the project.

Therefore, they should make sure that the construction does not interfere with existing main

services like electricity mains, water mains and the sewage mains. The local authority is to

ensure that the project is approved and it is inspected regularly to comply with health and safety

regulations on site. The following responsibilities should be undertaken by the Local/Urban

Authorities:


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1. Ascertain the land ownership by the client where the building is to be constructed and

also helps in the preparation of the land titles.

2. Help to see that the project plans conform to the physical plans of the given area.

3. Help to approve building plans for purposes of suiting environmental and social

requirements of the area.

4. Help in providing security for the building construction project.

5. Provide preliminary information about the project site for example, information about the

geology of the area, like whether the site is susceptible to landslides.

6. Carry out supervision to ascertain that what was designed is what is being implemented.

7. Inspect certain stages of construction works of the building and issue inspection

certificates. Such stages include setting out, foundation and walling construction; and

roofing.

8. Approve modifications, alterations of the work under progress.

9. Provide approval to applications to carry out activities such as making connections to

existing sewers, details of drain/sewer depth and positions; opening up part of the roads

and highways where it is necessary to do so; erecting of hoardings, gantries and

scaffoldings; parking areas of plants and vehicles in congested construction sites; the

filling up of the highway with materials or dirt from lorries/damper wheels; deposition of

wastes from site rubbish and other unwanted materials from the construction site;

temporary water supplies for the site and make connections to the statutory bodies mains;

and temporary electricity supply and connections to the construction site.


108

Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE) should:

1. Help in furtherance of education and training in engineering, science and practice.

2. Give advice to government and public bodies on engineering matters.

3. Ensure proper health and safety measures are taken into consideration in the practice of

engineering

4. Set ethical standards of practice and disciplinary procedures so as to keep the required

standards of engineering.

5. Regulate and administer the practice of engineers.

The Occupational Safety and Health Department should:

1. Offer safety and health education and training to contractors and the general public.

2. Ensure that safety and health rules and regulations are observed on sites.

3. Approve architectural plans of buildings to ensure their compliance to safety and health

requirements.

4. Investigate accidents that occur on sites.

Health and Safety personnel must be familiar with:

1. The current occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations for construction

projects.

2. Procedures in the event of an emergency

3. Procedures for refusal to work where health and safety are in danger.

From the numerated roles and responsibilities above, it can be observed that all the

stakeholders are in one way or the other concerned with the safety and health in the construction

industry.


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Issues to consider in Prevention of building construction site accidents

Prevention is better than cure. Prevention of accidents and elimination of their

catastrophic consequences can be well effected when the building project team establishes the

hazards breeding accidents and devise means of mitigation.

It is often argued that if consideration is given to the hazards faced in any construction

work and appropriate precautions taken, accidents can be guarded against. However, this

requires that the precautionary and preventive measures as well monitored. (Ridley 1998)

Lubega, Kiggunda and Tindiwense (2002) suggested that; ‘an effective accident

prevention programme should take careful consideration of satisfy requirements for the

following adequate designs, quality of materials, construction work techniques, adequate

supervision and safety rules and regulations.’

Adequate designs

A good building project design should incorporate an allowance for the risk element.

Accidents due to structural failures can be controlled using adequate design practices. Design

work should follow codes of practice and specifications to ensure structural sufficiency in terms

of safety.

According to Blake (1989); „building plans should meet the requirements with loading,

ground movement and disproportionate collapse. The building should be so constructed that the

combined dead, imposed and wind loads are sustained and transmitted to the ground safety and

without causing such deflection or deformation of any part of the building.’

A good design should involve weighing the risk to safety (and good health) produced by

the design against the cost. Economic feasibility, fitness for purpose, aesthetics, environmental

impact and build-ability are other major considerations design of a building and which must be

reconciled with safety.


110

P. P. Dharwadker (1996) noted that; „the prime deficiencies lie at the basic layout and

design stage of high rise buildings which is the responsibility of the architect or consultant and

central construction organisations or public sector companies or statutory bodies............ safety

measures must start at the planning and design stage of tall structures; planners, architects and

engineers should keep safety of workers and users of premises upper most in their minds.’

The duty of the project team can thus be recognised as an important one in preventing

accident occurrence and controlling likely consequences to improve site safety.

Quality of materials

Materials used in building process include bricks, aggregates, timber, steel, blocks,

cement, water, lime, and roofing materials. Their quality should comply with the standard

specifications for materials. Building materials that are not stronger enough will not produce

sufficient strength of the structural elements which are said to be of poor quality. And their effect

is reducing the structural strength of the overall structure. The likelihood of accident occurrence

is increasing as a result of possible structural failure. It can be noticeable that use of the

recommended and right quality of materials is a move to ensure safety in building construction.

Construction work techniques

Materials preparations, handling and placement are important aspects of safety.

Construction of structural elements and false works should be as to avoid failure. These are some

ways of incorporating appropriate techniques in order to ensure safety and guard against

accidents. Attention is particularly required in concrete batching, laying, compaction, installation

and striking of formwork, ladders and scaffolds; use of excavation plant, lifting cranes, and

coordination of all activities. Effective techniques should try to eliminate unsafe acts and ensure

a safe working environment. Conflicts in on-site movements should also be minimised by


111

appropriate techniques. A number of site accidents associated with structural failures of building

components have been due to largely poor construction techniques.

Adequate supervision

Design teams and supervisions are supposedly required to follow up and supervise

construction works, if the failures and accidents are to be minimised. Cases of cave-ins and

electrocutions, through not very common here, often result from negligent practice but also due

to inadequate inspections and general supervision of the site operations. Even structural failures

and avoidable accidents are left to occur due to weakness in supervision of the site operations.

Even structural failures and avoidable accidents are left to occur due to weakness in supervision.

Supervision is to ensure that activities are carried out as scheduled and that safety precautions are

observed. Therefore, the supervision team should comprise of at least a structural engineer, an

architect, a safety inspector, together with the operations foreman and services-water specialist,

electricity specialist. When regular supervision of the site activities is effected, accidents can be

reduced to an absolute minimum.

Safety rules and regulations

Enforcement of safety and health regulations should be well effected and maintained to

promote safety and reduce the occurrence of accidents. Appropriate rules and regulations are

made by policy makers and enforced by the labour organisations with the help of police. In

addition, according to Michael Armstrong (1979), ‘top management should determine and must

be continuously involved in monitoring the health and safety policies equipment of the

organisation and ensure that corrective action is taken when necessary. Management and

supervisors must be made fully accountable for the health and safety performance in the areas

they control.’


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P. P. Dharwardker (1996) observed that; ‘in USSR and East European countries,

accidents in the construction industry are viewed more seriously and there are in-built

elaborated safety organisations which ensure that the requirements of occupational safety are

adequately taken care of, and hence the incidence of fire and other accidents are reported to be

comparatively lower.’

Safety and health education/training

According to Michael Armstrong (1979); „all employees in an organisation should be

given thorough training in the safe methods of work and should receive continuing education and

guidance on eliminating health and safety hazards and on prevention.

It is generally believed that training is an important factor in improving safety performance. For

training to be effective, however, it must be planned in a systematic and objective manner. Safety

training must be continuous to meet not only changes in technology but also changes in the

environment in which an organisation operates the structure of the organisation and perhaps most

of all people involved. The safety training cycle is illustrated in the figure 2.1 below.

Safety training activities can be considered in form of a plan-do-check-act continuous

improvement cycle the elements of which are:

1. Ensure training is part of safety training

2. Allocate responsibilities for safety training

3. Define training organisation

4. Establish training organisation

5. Specify safety training needs

6. Prepare training programmes and materials

7. Implement and monitor training

8. Assess the results


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9. Review the overall effectiveness

Recommendations

Management of the building construction sites should be careful by observing well all

safety precaution especially in the months of April – June, October – December; and also during

rainy periods as most of the accidents occur in such periods as revealed by the research.

The employers on the building construction sites should value their workers and stop

pushing them to do activities even if these workers are not capable of handling such activities;

should also know the workers‟ health status and be kept in records to be used by relevant

authorities.

The employers should also motivate workers by appreciating them whenever a task is

complete. This will show a sign of belongingness on the side of workers and hence improve their

performance while on their respective duties.

Employers should provide training courses and programs to increase attention to safety

and to prepare plans for sudden accidents and disasters. These courses should be conducted in

the languages well understood by the workers. The management should also observe the

performance of inexperienced workers to see if they need further orientation and/or training.

Specific strategies for reducing the likelihood or negative consequences of human errors can be

achieved by selecting people with the capabilities and skills required to perform job. This will

result in fewer errors being made and proper training of personnel. Improving the design of

equipment, procedure, and environments can improve the performance of people, including

reducing the likelihood and consequences of errors.

The government of Uganda should fix a minimum wage, resting time while on duty,

welfare facilities on site; and percentage of female workers on the building construction sites.


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This research revealed that workers are exploited as it is seen evidently by high turnover of

workers on building construction sites.

Other recommendations are directed towards the institutional level, encouraging

coordination and sharing of information with safety departments in the governmental authorities

and insurance companies. The government should ensure that all workers on the building

construction sites are insured. The educational institutions educating people who are going to

work on the building construction sites should incorporate safety as a course unit in their

curriculum. Uganda institute of professional engineers (UIPE) should work out a modality of

attracting more graduate engineers and also hold safety seminars on the building construction

sites.

The researcher suggests that accident prevention should be a responsibility of everyone; it

should actually start at home. Whereby all children should be taught at an early age on how to

safe guard themselves, others, and the equipments. A lot has been done in the name of reducing

accidents but there is no change. It is high time parents, guardians, community leaders and

teachers to take on this responsibility also of teaching the children of this country about safety

issues.


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REFERENCE

A. C. Twort, 1972,‟Civil engineering supervision and management‟, second edition,

published by Butterworths publications, Borough Green, Kent Rd, 576 pages.

Alberto Lopez-Valcarcel, Senior occupational safety specialist, 2001, „International

Labour Organisation, occupational health and safety in the construction‟, African

Newsletters on occupational health and safety, 2001, page 4-7.

B.L. Gupta and Amit Gupta, 2000, „Construction management and accounts‟, third

edition, published by A. K. Jain for standard publisher distributer, 1705-B, Naisarak,

Delhi.

Blake L. S. (1989), „the civil engineer‟s reference book,‟ fourth edition

Carol Caryforth, Maureen R. 1994. Administration (student hand book) 2nd

edition;

Heninmann Education Publishers, Halley Cout, Jordan Hill, Oxford OX28ET, a division

of Reed Educational and professional publishing limited.

Curly R. B. Sheldrick, Occupational Health and Safety on construction sites

Eng. Dr. Francis Bazirake (2009), „a presentation about collapsing structures in Kampala

and possible solutions.‟

H. Lubega, B.M. Kiggundu & D. Tindiwensi, An investigation into the causes of

accidents in the construction industry in Uganda.

http://www.nzga.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do , viewed on 2/08/2010.

http://www.nzga.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do


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Implementation of the Resolution of Occupational Health and Safety in the African

Region, 26-28/July/2005, Ouidah, Republic of Benin

John Cameron Ashley (1955), „the handbook of employees relations,‟ first edition

John. T. Butler, 1982, „Element of Administration for building students‟, third edition,

published by Hutchinson & Co. Publishers Ltd, 17-21 Conway street, London, 248 pages.

Michael Armstrong (1979), „case studies in personnel management.‟

Mukasa William & Miti Ronaldley, A construction industry disaster due to the collapse

of a hotel complex that dramatically advanced the cause of safety and health in Uganda,

(2007)

Occupational safety and health department (2001 -2009), „investigation reports on

occupational accidents in Uganda.‟

P. P. Dharwadker (1996), „construction management,‟ second edition

Peter Lewis, Senior researcher at Fafo Institute of Applied Social Science,

2001,‟Flexibility of labour in construction as a challenge to occupational health and

safety‟, African Newsletters on occupational health and safety, 2001, page 2

Phil Hughes and Ed Forrett (2008), „Introduction to Health and Safety in Construction.‟

Third edition, published by Elsevier Ltd.

R. A. Mony, 1990, „Construction safety‟, East African Newsletters on Occupational

Health and Safety, December 1990, page 3.

R.E. Calvert, 1981, „Introduction to building management‟, fourth edition, published by

Billing and Sons Ltd, Worcester, Great Britain, 448 pages.


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Ranson W. H. (1987), „building failure, diagnosis, and avoidance,‟ second edition

T. Michael Toole (2002), „Construction Site Safety Roles.‟

The Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2006

The Public Health Act, Chapter 281, (15/October/1935)

The Town and Country Planning Act, Chapter 246 (13/September/1951)

Tutesigensi, A. And Raynolds, J.R. (2008), „Causes of accidents on construction sites: the

case of a large construction contractor in Great Britain.‟ University of Leeds, Sheffield

and York. White Rose Research; http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/8543/ Viewed on

01st/August/2010

William K. Mukasa, Health and Safety programme in the construction industry in

Uganda

Your health and safety guide to construction, Edition No. 1, June 2007.

http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/8543/


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APPENDICES


119

International Health Sciences University

Questionnaire

A STUDY ON THE PATTERN OF OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENTS AT BUILDING

CONSTRUCTION SITES IN KAMPALA CITY

Dear Respondent,

I am Luwalaga John Groover, 0772450847, [email protected]; a student of

International Health Sciences University and pursuing a Master of Science in Public

Health. As a requirement to accomplish my studies, am conducting a study on “the

pattern of occupational accidents at building construction sites”.

Your information is very vital to this study and shall be treated with at most

confidentiality. Your name and that of the site are not required; it may take you

between 2 minutes to 5 minutes to fill this form. The information provided will be

treated with utmost confidentiality and shall not be in any way being directly linked to

you or the organization you work for. It is hoped that a summary of the findings from

this research shall be availed to you if you so wish to have a copy. You are requested

to participate by answering the questionnaires.

mailto:[email protected]


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I) Personal Data

Name (Optional): ………………………………………………………

Nationality (Optional): ……………………………………………….

Sex: □Male □Female

Marital status: □Married □Single □Widower □Widow

Age: □Below 18 yrs □18 – 30yrs □30 – 40yrs □40 – 50yrs □

above 50yrs

Job Title: □Site Engineer □Foreman □Technician □Mason □

Labourer

Education: □Illiterate □Primary □Secondary □Certificate

□Ordinary Diploma □Higher Diploma

□Degree □Master

Upbringing: □Urban □Rural

Years spent in Kampala: □Less than 5 yrs □5 – 10 yrs □10 – 15 yrs □more

than 15 yrs.

Years of Experience: □0 – 5 yrs □5 – 10 yrs □10 – 15 yrs □15 – 20 yrs □More

than 20 yrs

Income per Day: □Less than 5,000/= □5,000/= - 10,000/= □10,000/= -

20,000/= □More than 20,000/=

Health History: □No □Yes


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If yes then what? □Diabetes □High blood pressure □Heart problem

□Others

In which division do you stay? □Makindye □Rubaga □Central □Nakawa

□Kawempe

II) Accident and Site Information

Which Division is the Site Located?

□Makindye □Rubaga □Central □Nakawa □Kawempe

Please indicate the category of ownership of the building.

□Government/Public Institution □Private Institution □Individual

□company/institution

Type of Accident ever occurred on this site:

□Contact with electricity □Crane accident □Gas explosion □Tool accident

□Failure of lift device □Exposure to fire □Structure failure □Fall from height

□Exposure to hazardous material □Trench accident □Pit accident □Struck by

materials □Fall from ladder □Slip/trip fall same level □Scaffolding □Natural


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causes □Falling object from height □Fall from roof opening

□Machinery Vehicle □Drowning □Asphyxiation □Others (Give

details)

Accident has ever occurred during: □First hour of the working □During the

working day □Last hour of the working day □During break hours □During

overtime hours □During non working hours

Accident has ever occurred during which weather condition: □Hot

□Cold □Moderate □Humid □Windy □Foggy

□Rainy

Accident has ever occurred during which season: □January – March

□April – June □July – September □October – December

Does the contractor have any insurance policy towards the workers? □Yes

□No

Which of the following exist on site? □Fire extinguisher □Ambulance □First

Aid room □First Aid personnel □Drinking water □Gum boot □Safety shoes

□Ear defender □Overall □Overcoat □Helmet □Meal/rest room □ Safety

regulations □Security Personnel


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III) Please indicate your degree of agreement or disagreement

with each statement in reference to this site:

Description

Highly Agree Moderately

Agree

Neutr

al

Moderatel

y Disagree

Highly

Disagre

e

Appropriate Personal safety procedure not

specified

Correct tools are not used for the specific tasks

Lack of supervision and control on worker’s

adherence to wear safety items

Safety regulations are not followed

No safety Engineer at site

Safety items are not available on site

The management is pushing work regardless of

labourer’s ability

No or lack of weekly safety meeting

Description

Highly Agree Moderately

Agree

Neutr

al

Moderatel

y Disagree

Highly

Disagre

e

No training program for the worker to

implement the job

No written/known procedure for the assigned

job is available

Lack of appreciation after completion of task

Some workers are suffering from health

problems

Workers are forced to work even if there are not

in an acceptable physical condition

Physical fatigue can cause accident


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Some workers are suffering from the mental

fatigue on the job

Work is performed while rushing

Accidents occur due to misjudgement from the

worker

Workers have no satisfaction with the nature of

the job

Workers do not have enough sleeping hours

Workers do not wear personal protection items

Workers take overtime

Workers are over confident

Lack of knowledge by workers on wearing

personal safety items

No cohesiveness/unity among job crew

Not enough rest time during the task

Extreme weather conditions contribute to

accidents

The social life in Kampala city is uncomfortable

to the worker

Authorities (KCC, NEMA, LCs) visit the site

Unsuitable living, housing and transportation

facilities for the worker

Job or task given are too difficult to perform

THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAY THE ALMIGHT GOD BLESS YOU ABOUNDANTLY


125

Collapse of a retaining wall which buried workers


126

A worker on a building construction site compact fresh concrete without putting safety

gears

A labourer fixes metal lathe without taking safety precautions


127

Workers tie reinforcements without putting on safety gears.