Assessing the approach to behaviour based safety in stone quarries in Ghana

Abstract

Quarrying has been part of the listed hazardous industries in the world as likened to the construction industry. The quarry industry provides varieties of products including limestone, sandstone, sand and gravels, slate, china clay and many more. The demand for these products is on the rise due to the increase in construction and road building projects. The aim of the study was to assess the approach to behavior-based safety in the quarries to reduce the number of injuries and near misses. Hence the specific objectives included: To find out the level of workers mindfulness of the health and safety guidelines and guidance; to find out the level of quarry employee’s adherence to the use of safety and protective equipment in the work places; and to find out the level of employee’s proneness to occupational health hazards. A total of 60 survey questionnaires were distributed to respondents. Data gathered from the field survey were analyzed using mean score ranking techniques. The study revealed that enforcement of the use protective personal equipment by supervisors is rarely done. This means that employees are not under any supervision to use PPE on site. The study found out that majority of the respondents have experienced the incident of near miss. It was found out that enforcement and lack of safety education is major issue hindering safety behaviours. The study recommended that Quarry companies should provide enough education and training to employees on occupational health and safety practice to ensure the rate of accidents are minimized. Also, there should be enough supervision provided at quarry sites to ensure employees adhere to the safety rules and regulations.