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For small and medium-sized businesses (SME) contractors, operational health and safety (OHS) practices are essential to ensuring the welfare of their employees, adhering to legislation, and maintaining effective and sustainable business operations. Poor operational health and safety practices implementation by SME contractors have significant negative implications on several levels, including employee well-being, business productivity, and the state of the economy as a whole. As a result, the study explores the impact of poor OHS practice implementation among small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the construction sector in South Africa. A standardised questionnaire was distributed to several construction firms and personnel. 132 questionnaires were received, and each one was accurate and valuable. According to survey findings gathered from the selected respondents, time delays, insufficient good practices, legal disputes, a loss of profitability, a decline in productivity, and cost overruns were the main repercussions of poor OHS practice implementation. The study further divided the implications of poor implementation into those on the organisation, the workforce, and top management. According to the survey, the South African government must advocate for and uphold strict health and safety laws. It then suggests that to lessen the negative consequences and establish safer working conditions, SME contractors should be made more aware of the significance of applying good safety practices and given the tools and assistance necessary to do so.

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The Consequences of Poor Health and Safety Practices on Worker Welfare and Compliance in South African SME Contractors

  • 会议论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年

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  • Xolile Mashwama,
  • Wellington Thwala,
  • Luke Lona Nomkhitha,
  • Ian Moss

摘要

For small and medium-sized businesses (SME) contractors, operational health and safety (OHS) practices are essential to ensuring the welfare of their employees, adhering to legislation, and maintaining effective and sustainable business operations. Poor operational health and safety practices implementation by SME contractors have significant negative implications on several levels, including employee well-being, business productivity, and the state of the economy as a whole. As a result, the study explores the impact of poor OHS practice implementation among small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the construction sector in South Africa. A standardised questionnaire was distributed to several construction firms and personnel. 132 questionnaires were received, and each one was accurate and valuable. According to survey findings gathered from the selected respondents, time delays, insufficient good practices, legal disputes, a loss of profitability, a decline in productivity, and cost overruns were the main repercussions of poor OHS practice implementation. The study further divided the implications of poor implementation into those on the organisation, the workforce, and top management. According to the survey, the South African government must advocate for and uphold strict health and safety laws. It then suggests that to lessen the negative consequences and establish safer working conditions, SME contractors should be made more aware of the significance of applying good safety practices and given the tools and assistance necessary to do so.