article · Journal of Engineering Design and Technology
Health and safety regulations introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic created new compliance demands across industries, including construction. An investigation into construction sites in Ghana examined the specific obstacles preventing the successful adoption of these safety protocols. Using qualitative data gathered from open-ended questionnaires distributed to small construction firms across the Central, Western, and Greater Accra regions, the research identified several operational hurdles. The most prominent barriers to compliance are the financial expense of introducing safety measures, general non-compliance, and widespread ignorance. Other reported challenges, though less prevalent, include superstition, shortages in the supply of personal protective equipment, and the theft of safety materials. Addressing these practical constraints allows construction firms and industry regulators to better manage on-site health protocols and enforce safety guidelines effectively.
Protecting construction workers requires safety rules that are realistic and enforceable. By highlighting that costs, lack of awareness, and material losses undermine public health measures on site, this work shows where interventions must focus. Industry managers and policymakers can use these insights to design better compliance programmes and targeted training that fit the operational realities of small building firms.
The research serves construction contractors, safety consultants, and regulatory bodies seeking to improve occupational health management systems. Rather than delivering a product, it offers applied insights directly relevant to near-market operational planning and policy design. Technology transfer or service commercialisation could include compliance toolkits, targeted site-management advisory services, or low-cost supply monitoring solutions tailored to small construction businesses operating under resource constraints.
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Purpose The new normal introduced by COVID-19 has ushered in new safety regulations that are required to be implemented by all organisations, including the construction industry. The implementation of the COVID-19 regulations, like any health and safety regulation, is not without hindrances. Consequently, this study aims to explore factors hindering the implementation of COVID-19 safety regulations at construction sites in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a qualitative research method using an open-ended questionnaire as a data collection instrument. The set of questionnaires were distributed by means of purposive and snowball sampling methods. The collected data were analysed by means of the thematic analysis technique. Findings It became evident that several factors militate against implementing COVID-19 safety regulations at construction sites. Cost of implementing COVID-19 safety measures, lack of compliance and ignorance were identified as the most hindering factors, whereas superstition, lack of personal protective equipment supply and theft of COVID-19 materials were reported by fewer respondents. Research limitations/implications The set of questionnaires were limited to small construction firms who were operating on site within the Central, Western and Greater Accra regions of Ghana during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the findings may be applicable to firms outside these regions because most of the small construction firms in the country share similar characteristics. Practical implications The recommendations proffered could help construction organisations devise strategies to overcome the barriers that hamper the implementation of COVID-19 safety regulations on site. Moreover, the findings could inform policymakers on what is required to enforce compliance on site. Originality/value COVID 19 is still new, and as a result, the body of knowledge is at the infancy stage. This article contributes to advancing the body of knowledge in the area of COVID-19 implementation challenges on construction sites.
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DOI: 10.1108/jedt-03-2021-0153
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