Framework for enhancing project clients' commitment to health and safety in the Ghanaian construction industry

Objectives. The health and safety (H&S) commitment level among construction project clients often remains minimal. Therefore, there is a need for a structured framework that delineates actionable strategies to enhance clients' commitment to H&S. This study identified drivers for enhancing clients' commitment to H&S and further developed a guiding framework to enhance clients' commitment to H&S. Methods. The study employed a qualitative research design, utilizing a structured interview guide to gather data purposively from 22 professionals. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the textual data, and Pareto analysis was conducted to prioritize the identified critical and non-critical drivers. Results. The identified critical drivers were health and safety regulations reform, cost savings and reduced expenses, risk management and liability reduction, effective stakeholder engagement, strong relationships between clients and contractors, clients' health and safety education, and high expectations from project stakeholders. The framework revealed that education, monitoring and innovation foster clients' accountability and ensure sustained H&S performance. Conclusion. The study informs clients about effective strategies for integrating H&S concerns into their decision-making. The framework also serves as a basis for policy recommendations, providing data-driven insights into the development of regulations and guidelines for enhancing clients' commitment to H&S.