Assessment of the Implementation of Workers' Occupational Safety and Health Standards in Building Construction: The Case of West Shoa Zone

Abstract

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) laws in construction should be an essential part of any successful construction project, in much the same way as the designs, equipment and materials for the construction. However, there is lack of enforcement of laws by stakeholders in practice. Disregarding OSH in the construction sector entails adverse consequences on the workers, the employers and the society in general. This paper has analyzed qualitative data collected mainly through a review of relevant government policies, legislations, secondary materials, personal observations, and interviews with key informants. The objective of the study was to examine what OSH standards are incorporated in the different laws and policies of Ethiopia, how effectively the laws and policies are implemented in West Shoa Zone, and why the OSH standards are neglected/violated? The finding of the research reveals that the relevant laws on OSH in Ethiopia are less developed, less comprehensive and scattered in different pieces of legislations. In practice, the implementation of OSH in (building) construction in the study area is low. Hence, the research suggests that the stakeholders in the study area should act to effectively implement OSH laws in the building construction sector. Besides, Ethiopia should develop the system of recording and analyzing occupational injuries at work places that helps it to identify risky occupations and give an appropriate policy and legal solutions accordingly.