Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering, Science, and Urban Sustainability (ICESUS 2025)

Sustainable Health and Safety Compliance an Small-Scale Construction Firms in Ghana: Awareness, Barriers, Enablers, and Strategic Interventions

Authors
Isaac Aidoo1, *, Stephen Forson1, Nana Benyi Ansah1, Abubakar Mohammed1
1Department of Building Technology, Accra Technical University, Accra, Ghana
*Corresponding author. Email: iaidoo@atu.edu.gh
Corresponding Author
Isaac Aidoo
Available Online 31 December 2025.
DOI
10.2991/978-94-6463-970-4_44How to use a DOI?
Abstract

This study investigates sustainable health and safety (H&S) compliance among small-scale construction firms in Ghana’s Greater Accra Region. Recognising the vital role of H&S in enhancing worker welfare and operational efficiency especially in resource-constrained settings, the research examines the level of awareness, key barriers, enabling factors, and strategic interventions necessary for sustainable H&S practices. Employing a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 102 participants using structured questionnaires and analyzed through SPSS using purposive sampling method Findings indicate that while there is moderate awareness of occupational H&S standards among small-scale firms, there is limited application of sustainability principles in routine site operations. Major barriers identified include behavioural challenges, insufficient supervision, poor regulatory enforcement, and financial limitations. In contrast, enablers such as strong teamwork, committed leadership, availability of resources, and the integration of digital tools were found to positively influence sustainable H&S compliance. The study offers practical implications for construction managers, regulators, and policymakers. It underscores the need for tailored interventions that address the unique challenges faced by Ghana’s informal construction sector. Recommendations include improving leadership within firms, increasing access to safety resources, promoting collaborative stakeholder engagement, and reforming policy frameworks to foster a stronger safety culture.This research adds to the limited literature on sustainable H&S practices in small-scale construction in West Africa. Its value lies in blending occupational safety with sustainability concerns, offering context-specific strategies for achieving long-term compliance and resilience in small construction enterprises.

Copyright
© 2025 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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Volume Title
Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering, Science, and Urban Sustainability (ICESUS 2025)
Series
Advances in Engineering Research
Publication Date
31 December 2025
ISBN
978-94-6463-970-4
ISSN
2352-5401
DOI
10.2991/978-94-6463-970-4_44How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2025 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Cite this article

TY  - CONF
AU  - Isaac Aidoo
AU  - Stephen Forson
AU  - Nana Benyi Ansah
AU  - Abubakar Mohammed
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/12/31
TI  - Sustainable Health and Safety Compliance an Small-Scale Construction Firms in Ghana: Awareness, Barriers, Enablers, and Strategic Interventions
BT  - Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering, Science, and Urban Sustainability (ICESUS 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 723
EP  - 737
SN  - 2352-5401
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-970-4_44
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6463-970-4_44
ID  - Aidoo2025
ER  -