Construction project management expert, Professor Emmanuel Adinyira, has urged Ghana’s construction industry to go beyond erecting physical infrastructure and instead serve as a platform for empowering host communities with health, safety, and environment (HSE) knowledge.
Delivering his inaugural lecture on the theme “Beyond the Fence: Transferring Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Knowledge from Construction Sites to Host Communities,” Prof. Adinyira emphasized that safety practices strictly enforced within project sites should also extend to the surrounding communities to protect lives and build resilience.
The Paradox in Ghana’s Construction Sector
According to him, Ghana’s construction industry presents a paradox: contractors operate under world-class safety standards within project boundaries, yet nearby residents remain exposed to hazards.
“Construction projects with high-class HSE compliance often leave people in the project’s geographical area unsafe and unaware. We build bridges but fail to connect with the people. We enforce protective equipment for workers, but we fail to raise awareness among families living near the site,” Prof. Adinyira noted.
Hazards Beyond the Fence
Drawing on his research, he identified 26 hazards commonly managed on construction sites—including slips, burns, electrical accidents, poor ventilation, and chemical exposure—that are also prevalent in homes and communities. While workers are shielded by protective equipment and regulations, nearby residents often lack the knowledge to safeguard themselves against similar risks.
Call for Community-Centered Safety Practices
Prof. Adinyira argued that transferring HSE behaviours—rather than only technology or managerial processes—is both feasible and necessary. He proposed:
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Community safety demonstrations to raise awareness.
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Greater use of radio, TV, and social media to share practical safety lessons.
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Partnerships with schools, churches, and traditional councils to extend knowledge.
Policy and Governance Recommendations
The construction expert also called on policymakers and contractors to integrate HSE education into every project delivery. Specifically, he urged:
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The Public Procurement Authority to make HSE knowledge transfer a contractual requirement.
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Parliament to fast-track the passage of the long-delayed Occupational Safety and Health Bill.
A Call for a Mindset Shift
Prof. Adinyira concluded with a powerful reminder:
“We need a new mindset, a change in our attitudes towards health, safety, and the environment. Safety is not a gadget—it is a mindset.”
source: myjoyonline
