Abstract:
The construction industry sector in Kenya, as in other countries, cannot be tackled
effectively without harnessing Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) to safeguard
the safety of the workers and the entire community. The purpose of the study was to
focus on assessment of the extent of implementation of OHS management in the
construction industry in Kenya, the case of Kericho County, The study was guided by
the following research objectives: to find out the level of awareness on the
implementation of occupational health and safety, to examine the effect of
implementation policy of occupational health and safety, to find out the impact of
safety training on implementation of occupational health and safety , and to establish
the level of commitment of employees towards implementation of occupational health
and safety. The study was based on Heinrich domino theory and Psychological Risk
Approach. The study adopted quantitative research approach by adopting a
descriptive survey research design. The target population was 5160 employees drawn
from Kipkelion East, Kipkelion West, Belgut. Ainamoi, Bureti and Soin-Sigowet in
Kericho County. Cluster random sampling technique was used. Data was collected by
using a self-administered closed ended type of questionnaires from the respondents.
Data was analyzed by use of both inferential statistics, while descriptive statistics in
terms of mean and frequencies was used. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.
The findings, for Level of awareness was showed a positive effect on implementation
of OHS. This indicated that an increase in level of awareness of players in the
construction industry capabilities made the implementation of OHS to increase. The
implementation policies of OHS revealed showed that that there was compulsory use
of personal protective equipment and that working environment was always cleared
and kept free from all injuries. The findings on the safety training and induction
revealed that the construction industry seriously should indulge in effective safety
trainings so that workers can be enlightened on safety measures hence promoting
accident free environment. The commitments of management remain fundamental in
the implementation of OHS in the construction industry. This indicated the direction
of relationship between independent (factors influencing implementation of OHS) and
dependent (OHS) variables. The study therefore concluded that all the factors under
study significantly affected the implementation of OHS in the construction industry.
The study recommends strict adherence to the OHS regulations in order to promote
safety in the construction sites