HEALTH AND SAFETY RISK MANAGEMENT ON BUILDING CONSTUCTION SITES IN TANZANIA: The Practice of Risk Assessment, Communication and Control

Abstract: The construction industry is an important part of the economy in many countries and is often seen as a driver of economic growth especially in developing countries. Owing to its relatively labour intensive nature, construction works provide opportunities for employment for a wide range of people skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled. Despite its importance, construction industries are considered risky with frequent and high accidents rates and ill-health problems to workers, practitioners and end users. However, knowledge on how health and safety risks are managed on Tanzanian construction sites is limited. This study therefore, aims to find out the current practice of health and safety risk assessment, risk communication and risk control in Tanzanian context. In pursuing this objective, the case study strategy was adopted whereby two construction sites in Dar es Salaam were selected through convenience sampling. The findings of the study show that all responsibility on risk management is with the contractor, and it is carried out only during construction phase. The study also show that no systematic method is used for risk assessment, but rather risks are assessed based on individual judgement guided by experience, educational background and existing regulations. Meanwhile, risk information is communicated through toolbox meetings, informal discussions, and controlled by using personal protective equipment (PPE). The study also reveals that, the regulatory system, the organisation/company system, the individual system and the work environment have impact on health and safety risk management. Further findings of this study show that, site location, site configuration, procurement system and complexity of design are the main challenges hampering health and safety risk management. The study recommends the necessity of incorporating of key project stakeholders such as client and design team and other consultants in managing health and safety risk.