Assessment of risk perception and its influencing factors among construction workers in Malawi

Abstract

This descriptive study employed a deductive research approach and a survey strategy to assess risk perception and its influencing factors among construction workers in Malawi. Three specific construction hazards and their associated risks were selected. The hazards were ‘working at height (WAH) ‘manual handling of loads (MHL)’ and ‘heavy workload or intense pressure to be more productive (HWP)’. The study engaged multistage sampling. A total of 376 eligible subjects (comprising brick layers, painters, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, unskilled labourers and their supervisors) were sampled from 30 building construction sites in the central region of Malawi. Data was collected using a questionnaire through face to face interviews and observation checklist at each project site. Univariate analysis, factor analysis and multiple linear regressions were performed in order to determine the main influencing factors among the independent variables. The study established that workers are aware of risks posed by their work. They perceived the risk associated with WAH, MHL and HWP as very high (62.7%, x =8.80 ± 1.95); (48.5%, x =8.10 ± 2.38); (57.9%, x =8.49 ± 2.22) respectively. The workers however indicated that they would continue working in a risky environment despite being aware of risks involved. The study identified six factors as variables that showed significant effect on workers’ perception of risk (p< 0.05). These factors are “dreaded factor”, “avoidability and controllability”, “expert knowledge”, “personal knowledge”, education level and age. The study revealed that there was non-compliance of most of the construction sites to minimum requirements of health and safety. The safety climate was also perceived as poor by most of the workers. It is therefore concluded that although construction workers’ perception of risk associated with construction is high, they continue to work in hazardous environment. The health and safety status of many construction sites in Malawi remain poor. This study therefore recommends that National Construction Industry Council should enhance risk perception and risk management awareness and the involvement of all key players in construction. It should also strengthen the monitoring of contractors’ compliance with safety and health obligations. Contractors should incorporate occupation health and safety management programs in the implementation of their projects. The contractors should also integrate analysis of behaviors and risk perception of the workers and other players so as to guide the identification of better health and safety interventions at their worksites.