As the leading journal in the Africa’s construction industry we are able to tell the story of Africa’s construction industry since we have had robust and dynamic conversations with contractors, workers and beneficiaries of the construction industry.
Over years we have been regularly giving coverage featuring construction jobsites and the hazards they present and below we find the most common construction risks in the African market and we opted to share with you.
1) FALLS
In Africa actually statics drawn by Deloite in 2014 showed that falls alone contributed to life loss of up to 36% of general deaths in the construction industry.
According to the report the 36 % was the death records and there are those who can no longer work due to the injuries and the causality they get during such accidents.
Most companies that are carrying out construction projects in Africa have been actually forced to take their employees through refresher courses to avoid such construction risks.
2) Scaffolding
We have covered many events where scaffolding fall causes a lot of deaths.
In most construction site in Africa their scaffolding is unsafe for many employees and most African countries have come up with standard scaffolding standards to ensure that the menace is gotten rid off
Scaffolds are incredibly common environments on jobsites, particularly new build or renovation building construction, and shortcuts and half-baked measures are responsible for structural failures or worker accidents on and around scaffolds.
3) Lack of proper Personal Protective Equipment
This seems to be the problem that is overlooked at in very many construction sites Across Africa and if you take your time to walk in the construction sites it’s the most predictable as clockwork take a quick look at any given construction site.
In many occasions construction workers in Africa just wear vests or someone is using a bandana in place of a face mask, and someone else has left their hi-vis vest at home. The PPE required by law can sometimes be uncomfortable, cumbersome, and easy to neglect.
That’s why we’ve seen many organizations come up with training safety regulations to help improve safety in construction sites.
Proper protection on the site can prevent blinding, face shields and respirators that can help one get off from the dangerous fumes.
4) Overwork and stress
Many contractors in Africa try to use less labour and gain more in that they cut cost by hiring less workers, this obviously lead to overwork due to the pressure that is mounted to them. This increases construction risks.
Stress can be caused by unsafe conditions or dangerous practices, but can also be a result of psychosocial factors like bullying, intimidation, and a negative workplace culture.
