Demographic attributes influence on health and safety practices within small and medium construction enterprises

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of demographic attributes on the health and safety (H&S) practices within small and medium construction enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa. A mixed method approach was used i.e. Delphi and questionnaire survey. A structured questionnaire consisting of 31 H&S practices categorized in five major H&S practices was developed from extensive review and the participation of 20 purposively sampled H&S experts. Questionnaires were then distributed to a total of 1,450 conveniently sampled SMEs. 228 questionnaires were returned of which 216 responses were usable. The findings suggest that upper management commitment and involvement in H&S, employee involvement and empowerment in H&S, project supervision, project H&S planning and communication in H&S and H&S resources and training were retained as reliable and valid H&S practices. Multiple linear regression analysis established demographic attributes i.e. experience in the construction industry, education level and the number of employees in the organization was not good predicators of the H&S practices.

Keywords: demographic attributes, health and safety practices, influence, small and medium