Abstract:
The building industry is a significant aspect of the African economy, notably in
Ethiopia, where most of the population is youthful and productive. However, many
construction operations are intrinsically hazardous to one's health and safety,
requiring workers to work in dangerous situations. This situation and the working
environment continue to cause chaos in labor productivity in the construction industry.
The extent of the effects of the Safety management system (SMS) on labor productivity
across Ethiopian construction industries remains debatable due to a lack of
management commitment and support for health and safety on construction sites, as
well as a lack of implementation of health and safety rules and regulations, which are
impeding the effectiveness of safety management system practice in Jimma town. As a
result, the primary goal of this study was to look into the effects of safety management
systems on construction worker productivity. The research study assesses the factor
affecting the safety management system on labor productivity, evaluates the managerial
skill factors affecting the safety management system on labor productivity, and
determines the implementation of safety management in labor productivity.
The sample was drawn from the research's target population using a basic random
sampling approach. The study was gathered from 10 purposefully chosen projects
because the number of projects currently working at Jimma town was minimal. It used
both survey questionnaires, descriptive designs, and primary and secondary data to
collect enough information in the study area. These projects provided 30 responses for
the produced questionnaire. The study presented in Jimma town identified and ordered
32 elements affecting the safety management system in construction projects based on
their relative relevance rating (RII).
The findings of this study revealed that safety managerial system statuses at the project
level accepting and implementing safety management system in Jimma town
construction project have no motivation, less attention, and less management
commitment and support to health and safety in building construction sites. As a result,
the study concludes that poor health and safety plans, a lack of information and
reporting system on safety and health, a lack of training, new site safety rules, and a
lack of management commitment to the safety management system are the major
challenges in implementing a safety management system in construction firms.
As a proposal, construction firms should use proactive and continuous learning ways
to manage project workers' health and safety. Furthermore, it should highlight the
aspects that significantly impact the project's safety management systems. Moreover,
the government should provide free safety management skill training to firm
management to promote awareness. Additionally, the government should establish
guidelines for construction enterprises to establish a systematic construction safety
management system and offer control mechanisms for implementation.