The Gaps In H & S Compliance Model

This chapter addresses the gaps observed in construction accident causation theories. These gaps have not been evaluated as all-inclusive constructs in the previous models and they form the additional new constructs for the current study’s conceptual framework. The identified gaps are: government support and contractor’s organizational culture. These identified gaps will be discussed in relation to how to achieve them in H&S compliance.

3.2 GAPS IN HEALTH AND SAFETY (H&S) COMPLIANCE RESEARCH

The consideration of the identified gaps is based on the notion that H&S compliance model cannot be achieved without government support and contractor’s organizational culture. This is because H&S compliance model is not a simple, single-track factor assessment;

Since the conceptual framework provides the perspectives from which problems are highlighted, it is most likely that there are some gaps in the western conceptual framework that have failed to capture the factors affecting H&S in Ghana and other developing countries; and the construction H&S studies in general. This section attempts to address the two gaps that have been identified, namely: government support and contractor’s organizational culture which have not been discussed in all the models. There is the need to find out why there is a contrast in H&S compliance research and whether the proposed existing theoretical framework has some gaps that need to be covered before any conclusion can be

3.2.1.1 Health and Safety (H&S) Policy and the Organisation

H&S policy is an organisation’s statement detailing with how it will ensure a healthy and safe work environment. Individual policies will need to be developed for specific hazards and issues, e.g. smoking in the workplace, manual handling and first aid. Policies should be supported by procedure/s which provides the step-by-step instructions on how policies will be achieved.

“According to section 2 of HSW Act 1974, if an organization employs more than five people, it must have a written H&S policy. The key elements clearly defined in H&S policy and organization include the following: A copy of written H&S policy statement (specifying H&S aims and objectives) dated and signed by the most senior person in the organization, and H&S responsibilities for employees at all levels.” In order to carry out an effective qualitative assessment, the rating indicator concentrates on the clarity, comprehensibility and adaptability of the policy