1.

0 INTRODUCTION
This report was compiled by the Amasaman group of the Construction Technology and
Management Level 300 class of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology,
Institute of distance learning.
The group was tasked to visit a construction site and report on progress of work, ongoing
activities, future progress of work, construction site layout, hazards and adequacy of safety signs.
In view of that, we chose the Achimota Retail Center, a shopping mall being developed along the
Achimota - Nsawam road by WBHO. The field work was done on 1
st
November 2014 at
12.00pm.
Company/Construction Site
Visited
WBHO - Achimota Retail Center
Company History WBHO Construction Pty is a South African Company with
over fourty years experience in the Mining, Earthworks,
Building and Civil work etc., undertaking various projects in
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Congo DRC, Sierra Leone,
Mozambique and other African countries. It was incorporated
in Ghana about ten (10) years ago. They have undertaken
various projects including Ahafo and Akyem Gold projects,
with Newmont Ghana Gold as their client. They have also
worked with various mining companies such as Anglogold
Ashanti, Tarkwa and Obuasi mines, Obotan Gold project at
Asanko etc., among others. Their building works in Ghana
started with the West Hills Mall which is currently the
biggest Shopping Mall in West Africa.
Projects Location Achimota (adjacent the Old Peace FM building and opposite
the St Johns Grammar SHS).
The construction site shares a boundary with the Electricity
Company of Ghana (ECGs building), Northwards. To the
South, with Best Point Savings and Loan, to the East, with
Pyto Riker (GIHOC) Pharmaceuticals and to the West, by the
Accra - Nsawam Highway.
Projects Description Name of Project: Achimota Retail Centre
The 14000m
2
Achimota Retail Centre is being constructed by
the WBHO. The project is being developed by a private
investor, Delico Ghana Ltd.
The project is expected to house fifty (50) retail shops, banks,
fashion shops, restaurant/food courts, two basements and an
ample space for about 700 cars for parking.
The project commenced four (4) months ago and it is
expected to be completed in October 2015.


2.0 PROGRESS OF WORK
The project commenced four (4) months ago with site vegetation clearance and removal of
topsoil. It continued with detailed engineering earthworks, filling to make up levels in
foundations and underneath floor slabs.
Concrete works have progressed quickly which have seen the basement for car park almost
completed. Roof trusses will be constructed on Retail Shops by next week.
The project is estimated to last for twelve (12) months. The progress summary document which
we saw, indicated that the project was behind schedule for seven (7) days.
Table 1.0 is a summary showing the progress of works for the month ending October.

Table 1.0
Project start date 2
nd
June 2014
Project completion date 8
th
October 2015
Total days required 300 days
Construction elapse time 84 days
Construction remaining time 216 days
Actual construction remaining time 233 days
Variance in schedule/slip time -7 days
Percentage of completion 28%

3.0 ONGOING ACTIVITIES
As at the time our team visited the site, the workers were on pay-off, with only a few
employees doing power floating on site.
The following activities were ongoing during the time of our visit.
1. Concreting of column and column bases
1. Concrete in surface beds of car park and power floating of floor
2. Fixing rebars in beams
3. Plastering of wall around retail shops area
4. Fixing rebars in walls of sewage treatment tank.
5. Placing of slab infills for coffer/waffle slab
6. Setting out and laying of sandcrete blocks.
7. Scaffolding. i.e. erecting and dismantling.
4.0 FUTURE PROGRESS OF WORK
1. Retail shop area to receive roof trusses
2. Plastering to be continued
3. Slab infills to be completed and concreted
4. First fixes of plumbing and electrical works to start in some areas and to continue in other
areas.
5. Reinforcement in sewage treatment tank to be completed
6. Formwork to side of walls of sewage treatment tank to be completed
7. Concreting of septic tank walls to be completed

5.0 CONSTRUCTION SITE LAYOUTS
The construction site layout is very well arranged as shown in figure 1.0 below. There is space
for vehicular movements to the various areas which is very important in setting up a construction
site. The site office is located near the entrance, south-eastern side of the construction site. This
is to enable visitors, workers, site managers have a fair view of who is approaching or entering
into the construction site. Stores and workers change room is located near the entrance on the
south-western side of the construction site. Various laydowns for subcontractors,
refuse/scraps/offcut materials, eating and steel cutting and bending yard. There is a detailed
traffic layout around the office as shown in figure 2.0
















Figure 1.0 Construction site layout and traffic flow plan


















Figure 2.0
FIGURE 1.0 SITE/ TRAFFIC FLOW CHAT
FIGURE 2.0 SITE OFFICE LAYOUT.
6.0 ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY
WBHO is well known for its health and safety procedures and records, having chalked a lot of
success in this regard on various completed projects across the country. This project is no
exception. According to the Health and Safety Managers reports, total man hours for the project
as at now stands at 221,031 hours with a ZERO (0) Lost Time Injury (LTI). Now, only Six (6)
incidents were recorded which are made of First Aid cases, near misses, theft and Equipment
(i.e. tyre) damage. The company has a well-established laydown safety cultures or safety
indicators and a few are stated below;
All workers on the construction site are inducted
All visitors coming into the construction site are inducted
All Operators are also inducted
Workers are advised to report incidents and not harbor them.
Workers using equipment and machinery are trained exclusively and are given
competence certificates
Work areas are visited frequently.
Job hazard analysis (JHA) is carried out before any work begins.
Pre-start information/Pre shift information is always carried out before work begins.
Tool box meetings are also carried out weekly.
Companys Safety Notice board with all policies displayed as well as Man-hours worked.
With the above safety indicators or cultures, we made a visit to site to have a fair view and
understanding of construction works and also identify possible hazards and adequacy of safety
signs on the construction site.
Over and above, we believe that safety on the construction site is well managed and the hazards
found were of minimum risk except for the first floor area not barricaded and no toe board
placed on most scaffolds which might trigger a heights fall of persons, tools and equipment.
Tables 2.0 and 3.0 show pictures of hazards identified, stating its possible harm and possible
corrective measures.



Table 2.0
Picture Hazard Identification and Possible corrective
measure














Hazard - Protruding rebar uncapped

Possible Corrective Measure: Use rebar cap and/or
wrap a caution cape around the protruding rebar


















Hazard - No caution tape put around excavation
pit.

Possible harm/hazard - Minimum fall, a vehicle
could fall in pit if the driver is not familiar with
working area and possible leg breakages if
someone falls in.

Possible Corrective Measure: Barricade with
caution tape around excavated base pit.


Hazard - No caution tape put around excavation
pit.

Minimum fall, a vehicle could fall in pit if the
driver is not familiar with working area and
possible leg breakages if someone falls in.

Possible Corrective Measure: Barricade with
caution tape around circular excavated base pit





Table 3.0
Picture Hazard Identification and Possible corrective
measure














Hazard - No barricading on first floor

Possible harm/hazard - Fall of a person, tools,
materials from height.

Possible Corrective Measure - Hard barricading or
caution tapes should be used.
Access to the floor area can be restricted by using
a safety sign (AREA NOT SAFE) at the stair case.















Hazard Unprotected or no toe board installed on
scaffold

Possible harm/hazard - Fall of materials, tools and
equipment on persons working below

Possible Corrective Measure - Use a 200mm high
barricade or 12.5mm plywood secured to the
scaffolds with a binding wire or rope.


Hazard - Not battering the sides of excavation of
depth exceeding 2m

Possible harm/hazard - possible collapse of the
sides if the ground is unstable which could result
from exerted pressure from nearby foundations.
No quick escape for persons working in pit as
there are no side benches.

Possible Corrective Measure - width of excavation
could be widened, benched or battered.


Picture

Sign Identification, adequacy and usage



Signs Identity -Vehicle speed limit

Position: Sign is placed just after the entrance into
the site.

Purpose: To inform drivers of light and heavy
vehicles and machinery of the maximum speed
limit on the site.













Signs Identity Scaffolds safe tag

Position: Placed close to the access stairs to
elevated scaffold platforms and other floor areas

Purpose: To inform possible users that scaffold or
elevated platform/working area is safe.
Signs Identity - PPE information board

Position: Placed at the entrance of the construction
site and few locations within the construction site

Purpose: To inform workers, visitors etc.
of the minimum safety requirements to access the
construction site








Picture

Sign Identification, adequacy and usage



Signs Identity -Electric Shock

Position: Sign is placed on various electrical
outlets (GPOs) situated at different locations in
the construction work area where electricity is
required for works.

Purpose: To inform workers of possible electric
shocks when accessing these power outlets.
















Signs Identity - Assembling or Muster Point

Position: Placed close to the site office with
adequate open area.

Purpose: To inform all workers on the construction
site of the place of assembling in the case of an
emergency and possible evacuation.
Signs Identity - No Smoking

Position: Placed at the entrance of an enclosed area
in which combustible materials, chemicals, oil etc.
fuel bund are kept.

Purpose: To inform workers, visitors etc. that
smoking is not accepted in the area.











Picture

Sign Identification, adequacy and usage



Signs Identity - Fire Extinguisher

Position: Sign is placed at open and close areas
within the construction site and where busy works
are going on.

Purpose: to extinguish fire in the cause of an
outbreak as a first option before the local fire
service is called upon.













Signs Identity - Emergency Exit

Position: Placed at indoor areas of the site offices
on top of the doors

Purpose: To inform occupants of the exit door in
the cause of an emergency or any fire outbreak.
Signs Identity - Wet Floor

Position: Placed mostly in office areas and other
areas of the construction site where water is found,
especially on concrete surfaces.

Purpose: To inform workers or occupants that
there could be a possible slip-and-fall if care is not
taken.