Thesis (MTech (Construction Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2005 / Workers in the construction industry are often exposed to ergonomic challenges. Some of the most unfavourable ergonomic practices include bending and twisting of the body, lifting and handling of heavy materials and equipment. Working above shoulder and head and below the knee levels. Despite provisions made in various legislations about compliance with the health and safety of the construction workforce, many employers still do not comply and are not changing the way construction activities are carried out. It was argued that some of the unfavourable ergonomic challenges such as repetitive and awkward work routines might lead to strains, sprains, musculo-skeletal disorders and carpal tunnel syndrome and that these problems could contribute to absenteeism and reduced site productivity. This study sought to establish the pervasiveness of ergonomic challenges and the extent to which the construction workforce are exposed to these challenges. Empirical studies using the philosophically positivistic paradigm and epistemologically objectivist method of on-site observation of construction workforce activity were conducted on purposively chosen samples of bricklayers, plasterers, painters and their helpers. The purpose remained to count and record body movements of the said workers over 30 minute intervals. Alongside the observations, interviews were conducted to establish what views and perceptions the workmen had with regard to the effect their daily work had on their bodies. The results revealed that the extent and effect of unfavourable ergonomic exposures vary from trade to trade. For instance, bricklayers bent their bodies more than any other worker while plasterers did more work below the knee than their counterparts. In the same vein painters stretched their bodies and worked above their shoulders and heads more than their counterparts. Further extrapolation of the data over the working life of the tradesmen and their helpers exposed the magnitude of the ergonomic exposures and the likely effects that these exposures would have on their bodies and health. For instance, the bricklayer and plasterer would have to bend and twist their bodies a record 5 million times in their 20 year working lives. The painter would be exposed to 3 million and 4 million times respectively of bending and twisting his/her body within the same 20-year period. The main conclusion was that currently construction activity exposes the workforce to unprecedented unfavourable ergonomic practices. The recommendations were that management should take the health and safety of their workforce seriously and that the worker cohort should have direct intervention into the design and implementation of favourable ergonomic work practices at their workface.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to make industry employers, teachers and career guides aware of the barriers that continue to hold back women from pursuing careers in the construction industry. This research study focused on females working in the construction industry and investigated the experiences of women who chose to study construction-related degrees. The goal was to communicate what influenced their choice to study degrees in the construction industry, and what factors are currently influencing their career development. This was done with the purpose of finding solutions to re-engineer and transform the industry and make a form of transformation. A quantitative research methodology was used as a means of collecting and analysing data. This comprised of questionnaires which were designed and distributed, using targeted sampling, to 82 women studying construction-related degrees and 54 women actively employed in professional positions in the South African construction industry. Respondents’ experiences were captured with quantitative data on education, course preference, family involvement, mentors, self-efficacy, women involvement, cultural influence, image of industry, reason for entering industry, motivator/influencer, traditional beliefs, social and cultural beliefs, government involvement, time, slow career progression, inclusive environment, queen bee syndrome, site conditions, discrimination and harassment. The data was analysed by using quantitative methods. Questionnaires were developed and ranked on a scale of one to five, namely strongly agree to strongly disagree and interpreted by means of counting the frequency of occurrence of answers to each ranked question. Percentages were then calculated and responses weighted according to average means. The findings and conclusions indicate the choices women make, what motivates women in South Africa to choose careers in the construction industry and the barriers encountered by them. The results from this study highlight the need for a shift in the industry; and the findings give employers, teachers and career guiders insight into what draws women into the industry and what underlying issues women face once in the industry. This provides as a guide for strategic change within educational environments and within the industry to encourage more women not only to draw themselves to find careers in the construction industry, but also retain them.

spending is regarded to be one of the major contributors to economic growth. The purpose of the study was to investigate how infrastructure projects could engender professional skills development. The topic is focused on a human resource (HR) perspective as it is one of the knowledge areas in project management. In order to achieve the research objectives and also establish the breadth of the subject issues in the literature review, a qualitative methodology was employed. Interviews were conducted and the majority of the participants were working towards professional registration in the built environment professions. The empirical findings that emerged from the study show that the majority of the respondents agreed that HR units should be aware of the legislation related to professional training and education. The interviewees further elucidate that, although professional registration is the primary duty of the candidate, HR units should ensure that interns are doing what is in line with their professional requirements, according to different councils, to ensure compliance. However, the lack of a structured approach in administering training programmes is a key factor that contributes to the lack of development of professional skills on government sponsored infrastructure projects. This must be addressed to attain the desired professional development outcomes among historically disadvantaged individuals (HDIs) that are keen on professional registration and development in the built environment professions. Other empirical findings showed that most of the respondents showed some concern regarding job security with their present employment. They explained that once the status of professional registration is attained, securing employment in the industry should be relatively easy. South Africa needs a highly skilled workforce to ensure growth of the economy therefore HR departments in organisation should adapt a systematic approach in their HR planning in order to ensure skills are engendered to HDIs as well.

Thesis (MTech (Human Resource Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 109-117). / The construction industry is an important player in the economy of South Africa. In spite of the numerous constraints facing the industry in developing countries, it makes significant contributions to economic growth. The construction industry is a challenging place to work (Pillay & Haupt in Hinze, Bohner & Lew, 2008). The diverse industry is, however, associated with high risk environments and employees are exposed to harsh and dangerous situations, e.g. employees have to work with dangerous machines and equipment. The industry stands out from other industries as having the highest worker injury and fatality rates. Every construction worker is likely to be temporarily unfit to work at some time as a result of moderate injuries or health problems after working on a construction site (Shakantu, Haupt & Tookey, 2006; Smallwood, 2004). This study was prompted by the lack of an Employee Assistance Programme for workers in a medium-sized construction company. A non-probability sampling procedure was utilised. In order to investigate and explore the well-being of employees a research questionnaire was developed and presented to a sample of 34 male respondents in the construction company for completion. The empirical results indicated the difficulties that the respondents are experiencing. The results further revealed the need for assistance from the employer to the respondents. It is anticipated that the research will contribute to, firstly, an awareness of problems in the construction industry regarding the well-being of workers, and secondly to develop a model which will positively contribute to the effective development and implementation of an assistance programme for employees in the construction industry.

Construction productivity is an interesting phenomenon which was an initial study into time and motion. However this remains a vital part of the construction industry today as it takes into consideration cost-savings, a precise timeous delivery of projects and the correct usage of materials. This phenomenon itself is a huge challenge to many companies in South Africa. The construction industry in South Africa is seen as a tool to alleviate the increasing unemployment and poverty levels. The ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), has made statements to decrease the unemployment rate and due to these promises, the imposition of the use of local unskilled labour from the local communities has become the norm on the majority of construction projects. This formed the basis of the Expanded Public Works Programme. This initiative has indeed shown a huge success but the programme lacks long-term support. The majority of these workers are taken on short-term projects and thereafter the workers are returned to the unemployment pool. The workers are also aware of the short-term projects and therefore there is a lack of motivation which inevitably affects the productivity on any construction site. This study looks at the challenges faced by contractor's in the Eastern Cape and analyses the effects of the use of unskilled labour from the local community. Questionnaires were completed as a measurement instrument to determine the motivation, leadership style and the communication levels among the unskilled, core and the managers on construction projects. The productivity achievements of the unskilled labour and the core labour will be measured and compared and the findings are discussed.

In an attempt to address the challenges relating to the lack of well-trained and skilled workers, which directly impacts on the quality of products delivered by the construction sector, this study focuses on an assessment of the Accelerated Professional Trade Competency Development Programme within the Department of Public Works in the province of the Eastern Cape in South Africa. The main focal area of the study is the OR Tambo Region. These challenges manifest themselves through, among others, backlogs in the delivery of housing by the Eastern Cape Department of Housing and Local Government where the majority of houses demonstrate poor workmanship. Hence the Department of Public works has introduced the Accelerated Professional Trade Competency Development Programme. This study investigates the effectiveness of the implementation of the Accelerated Professional Trade Competency Development Programme. Particular attention is paid to the extent to which the Programme contributes towards the development of qualified artisans and what improvement areas can be effected to achieve its objectives.

Bibliography: leaves 158-162.