Assessment of Occupational Safety Practices in Road

Abstract

This study critically evaluates occupational safety practices at the Shelleghat–Ramechhap–Sangutar Road Project in Ramechhap District, Nepal, assessing existing safety measures, their implementation, and the challenges encountered in maintaining a secure work environment on a road project constructed largely on steep, slope-prone terrain. A mixed-method research design was employed, integrating a structured questionnaire survey of 155 respondents (contractors, consultants, clients, social activists and others) with qualitative in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Relative Importance Index (RII). The findings revealed significant deficiencies in safety management. “Inadequate Safety Training” was ranked as the most severe problem affecting occupational safety practice (RII = 0.90), followed by shortage of safety equipment (RII = 0.88) and low safety awareness (RII = 0.87). Many workers lacked access to proper personal protective equipment (PPE), and enforcement of safety guidelines remained inconsistent. Although basic signage and first-aid facilities were in place, regular safety audits, comprehensive training, and systematic equipment maintenance were often neglected. Causal analysis of nineteen major safety issues showed that inadequate training programs, high training costs, budget constraints, and weak supervision were the dominant underlying causes, while increased accident risk, higher insurance costs, and project delays were the most significant effects. The study identifies “Implement comprehensive and mandatory safety training programs for all workers” as the highest-ranked mitigation measure (RII = 0.89), followed by the provision of sufficient PPE and continuous safety-awareness campaigns. The findings underscore the urgent need for policy reform, stakeholder collaboration, and sustained investment in occupational safety to improve working conditions in Nepal's road construction sector, particularly in geographically challenging rural terrain.