Abstract:
A key element of advances in site management practice is the provision of an
environment in which construction work is completed without exposing people to
harm. Among other issues, the removal of physical hazards on construction sites is
dependent on housekeeping, which is a source of genuine worry in the industry in
Maseru, Lesotho. With improvement intentions, this paper reports the outcome of a
research, which sought responses to "why is housekeeping a continuing challenge in
Lesotho construction?" Using a multiple case study research design in which the field
work involve direct site observations and focus group interviews of construction site
management and workers, the study established the poor state of housekeeping in
Lesotho. The use of the 5-Why root cause analysis shows that unsafe work practices
go hand-in-hand with poor housekeeping on observed project sites. Inadequate
method of keeping the construction site clean was worsened by poor storage and
disposal of materials and wastes on the sites. The importance of housekeeping in a
craft based industry, such as Lesotho, is hinged on the health, safety, and wellbeing of
workers, apart from site productivity. The evidence from the research shows that it is
time for multi-stakeholder interventions that would eliminate poor housekeeping in
the industry. Such interventions should apply behaviour-based safety techniques to
support the efforts of compliance-based safety.
