Towards a framework for the management of health, safety and well-being on adaptive-retrofit projects in Ghana

Adaptive-Retrofit Projects (ARPs) face the challenge of wide-adoption due to health and safety (H&S) issues surrounding ARPs. In developing countries like Ghana, this challenge exists alongside other challenges such as outdated and inadequate H&S legislation which do not provide adequate guidance for the safe execution of new builds let alone ARPs. As ARPs are mostly executed in confined areas, are characterized by: uncertain structural integrity of the buildings or structures concerned; hazardous and toxic substances (which are difficult to observe and evaluate); and highly labour intensive activities, the health, safety and wellbeing of workers on ARPs generally tend to be more difficult to manage. In the context of the Ghanaian construction industry, safe management of ARPs is even more serious given the numerous problems and challenges the industry faces. As ARPs become common in Ghana, fatal and non-fatal accidents are likely to occur and even escalate further. Therefore, providing some guidance to help manage the H&S issues regarding ARPs will help to protect workers from accidents/injuries and thereby also encourage wider adaption of older buildings in Ghana. To this end, this study through a review of H&S literature makes the case for research to be undertaken to develop guidance framework for managing H&S on ARPs in Ghana. The study also proposes the Delphi method as being a suitable method of inquiry to be used in undertaking the research. It is envisaged that embarking on this research would help bridge the gap of the dearth of literature on H&S management on ARPs especially in the context of developing countries.