The Effectiveness of Health and Safety Training and Its Impact on Construction Workers’ Attitudes, and Perceptions

Abstract

Providing effective health and safety (H&S) training has been identified as one of the key focus areas for organizations wanting to promote a positive H&S culture and climate. Effective H&S training involves changing attitudes, behaviors, and consequently the way construction workers conduct and undertake construction tasks. Poor H&S training and retention of relevant knowledge among construction workers are two factors responsible for the high incidence of injuries on construction sites. The quantitative study explored the effectiveness of H&S training and its impact on construction workers’ attitudes, and perceptions, including accident and injury rates. The study was conducted among grade 4–9 general contractors (GCs) in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng provinces registered with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB). The study revealed that it is of major importance to address H&S training of construction workers before they undertake a task, and that for H&S training to be effective, it should transmit job specific knowledge and skills to construction workers to empower them to effectively deal with hazards. However, it is recommended that site hazards be addressed from the design stage of a project. Furthermore, the Department of Labor should implement basic standardized H&S training programs to all GCs.