Employee involvement and empowerment in health and safety : a perception of small and medium contractors in South Africa

Purpose: It is well known that managing H&S helps ensure that construction organizations are achieving their H&S objectives and targets. As such, the H&S management practices constitute a vehicle to improve H&S performance outcome. However, the challenge is to determine what needs to be measured and practiced by SMEs at project level. The objectives of this paper are therefore to determine the H&S elements indicative of SMEs, employee involvement and empowerment H&S practices and the influence of employee involvement and empowerment on H&S performance at project level. Research methodology: A survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire consisting of 31 items categorized in five independent variables (IV). This was developed from extensive literature and four rounds of Delphi survey. A total of 216 valid questionnaires were analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20. Inferential statistics were used to determine the perception of SMEs employee involvement and empowerment practices. Finally, standard multiple linear regression analysis was undertaken to establish the influence employee involvement and empowerment had on H&S performance. Findings: Five IVs were retained as valid and reliable factors of H&S practice within SMEs at project level. However the study established that employee involvement and empowerment is not greatly practiced and does not influence H&S performance. Limitations: Self-administered questionnaire for SMEs and the majority of the respondents conducting business in Gauteng province in South Africa are limitations in this study. Value: The findings indicate the need to fully involve and empower employees in H&S activities of SMEs at project level. Practical implication: This study provides the basis of informing the H&S policy that employee involvement and empowerment is not greatly practiced within construction SMEs in South Africa at project level. Hence, the need to encourage this practice within South African SMEs is highly recommended