Influential factors of unsafe acts of contractors in cape coast metropolis

Human factor has been identified as the most prevailing and contributing factor to high rate of accidents in the construction industry. Inappropriate operation and misappropriate use of equipment among employees have also been identified as the major roots causes. The paper identifies acts that lead to accident among contractors’ on construction sites in Cape Coast Metropolis. Data were collected through administrating of questionnaires, and analysed using descriptive statistics and ranking. Findings show that 85% of the respondents had the required knowledge and skills to prevent accidents on construction and likewise towards unsafe acts practices on site. Further findings show that the most outstanding acts that lead to accidents among contractors within the metropolis are: working without presence of a supervisor/authority on the job, with a standard deviation of 1.053, followed by working under the influence of alcohol and other substances, with standard deviation of 0.900 and smoking, creating naked flame or sparks in areas where flammable materials are stored, with a standard deviation of 0.894. The least among the ranking of the acts that lead to accidents are leaving nails or other sharp objects from timber, with a standard deviation of 0.503 and unsafe acts is the most significant factor in the cause of site accident, with a standard deviation of 0.587. The outcome of the research findings will assist safety personnel in the application of appropriate mitigation measures that will minimize unsafe acts of employees within a working environment.