The role of a Health and Safety Officer in the supervision of road construction is crucial for ensuring that safety standards are met and risks are managed effectively. Here are some key responsibilities:

1. Risk Assessment and Management:

• Assess risks specific to urban road construction, such as high traffic volumes, congested areas, and interaction with pedestrians and commercial activities.
• Identify risks associated with climate, which includes heavy rains and high humidity, potentially affecting construction site conditions.
• Ensures that all potential impacts on public and occupational health and safety are properly addressed in the Contractors’ Environmental and Social Management Plan, and are captured in the Contractors’ monthly reports.

1. Safety Planning and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with local regulations such as The Occupational Health and Safety Act, 2006, and the National Environment Act, No. 5, 2019;
• Oversee and support the development and preparation of Occupational and Public health and safety plans that address the complexities of working in a busy urban environment, including coordinating with Uganda Police for traffic management and public safety.
• Training and Awareness
• Provide training tailored to the diverse workforce among the various contractors’ staff, ensuring that workers understand urban-specific hazards and safety practices.
• Ensure the use local languages and consider varying levels of literacy to make training accessible and effective.

1. Monitoring and Inspections

• Regularly inspect active road construction sites to ensure adherence to safety standards, paying attention to urban-specific issues like road signage, pedestrian safety, and the impact of construction on traffic flow.
• Monitor the contractors’ compliance with local safety regulations and standards set by the government of Uganda and any guidelines from relevant authorities such as the Ministry of Labour, Gender, and Social Development.

1. Incident Investigation

• Investigate accidents with a focus on factors, such as high traffic density and interaction with the public and safety furniture among others.
• Ensure that Contractors work with local hospitals and emergency services to address any issues related to the accessibility and quality of medical care in the city.
• Ensure that the incident investigation and reporting is consistent with the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Incident Reporting Tool (ESIRT)

1. Safety Communication:

• Facilitate effective communication between the project team and a diverse urban workforce and the general public about safety practices and construction impacts.
• Ensure safety messages are spread through the use various communication channels, including local media, community notices, and direct outreach to affected residents and businesses.
• Emergency Response:
• Ensure that Contractors develop emergency response plans that account for Kampala’s urban layout, including potential traffic congestion and access to emergency services.
• Initiate coordination with the employer and local emergency services to ensure a swift and effective response to any incidents.
• Documentation and Reporting:
• Maintain comprehensive records of safety inspections, incidents, and compliance activities, aligned with the relevant national laws and regulations.
• Ensure that reporting practices are efficient and transparent, and are consistent with the guidelines in the World Bank ESIRT.

1. Promoting a Safety Culture

• Promote a safety culture that engages with the urban community, emphasizing the importance of safety in a high-traffic, densely populated environment.
• Encourage safe practices through community engagement, such as public awareness campaigns and collaborations with local businesses and residents.

1. Coordination with Other Stakeholders

• Work closely with the project’s implementation team, local businesses, and community leaders to ensure that road construction activities are well-coordinated and that safety measures are integrated into urban planning and traffic management strategies.
• Address specific challenges, such as coordinating road closures and managing the impact of construction on local traffic and commerce.