Perceived Implications of Non-Compliance with Safety Practices in Construction Projects: Construction Professionals’ Awareness Level

Abstract

Despite the numerous implications of non-compliance with safety practices in construction projects, there are still reports of a low level of compliance with safety rules on construction sites. The study seeks to investigate the awareness level on the implications of non-compliance with safety practices among professionals in construction projects. From the existing literature, two major types of implications namely; direct and indirect cost implications of non-compliance with safety rule were investigated. Questionnaires were used to elicit information from respondents. A hypothesis that examines the differences in the level of awareness on the implications of non-compliance with safety practices among construction professionals was postulated. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to test the hypothesis. The findings show that the awareness level on the implications of non-compliance with safety practice among each professional is high and that there are significant differences in the level of awareness on six implications of non-compliance with safety practices; ‘physical injury/fatality to persons’, ‘workmen’s compensation’, ‘liability insurance premiums, ‘low morale of supervisors and workers’, ‘costs of delay’ and ‘time of cost’. The study concludes that professionals are aware of the implications of non-compliance with safety practices and their professional background affects the awareness level of six of the implications of non-compliance with safety practices. The study contributes to knowledge by identifying the six implications of non-compliance with safety practices where disparity exists in the awareness level among construction professionals. In cases where disparity exists in the awareness level among professionals, construction firms should adopt group discussion as a means of sensitization to increase awareness levels.