OBJECTIVES The construction industry is recognized as a sector that contributes significantly to the economic growth of a country. Despite it being the larger contributor of nations Gross Domestic Product, the construction industry is believed to be burdened with injury and related complications especially in Lower-middle-income countries. However, there is a dearth of evidence on the predictors of these injuries in Ghana, therefore this paper sought to examine the predictors and estimate the extent of occupational injuries among frontline construction workers in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana to inform policy decisions

METHODS A cross-sectional design involving quantitative methods used. A smartphone-based questionnaire was administered to 634 frontline construction workers in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana, selected through a two-stage sampling approach. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as multivariate poison logistics regression was used to present results. Data were analyzed using STATA 13, and presented at 95% CI.

RESULTS More than half (57.91%) of the workers had experienced at least some form of injury during the defined period. Open Wounds (37.29%) and fractures (6.78 were the common and least injury types recorded. The age [aOR = 0.41; 95% CI. = 0.20, 0.80], sex of worker [aOR=5.5; 95% CI= 2.41-15.29], income, [aOR =3.52; 95% CI. = 0.98-12.64] work structure (permanent, temporal or daily paid worker) [aOR = 3.97; 95% CI. = 1.93 - 8.17], trade specialization [aOR= 0.22; 95% CI= 0.07- 0.64], working hours [aOR=0.05; 95% CI= 0.02 - 0.15], job/task location [aOR= 0.29; 95% CI=0.85 -1.01], and monthly off days [aOR= 0.96; 95% CI= 0.04-0.24] were the significant predictors of injury among the workers.

CONCLUSIONS There is high burden of occupational injury requiring urgent measures that would enhance safety standard and procedure of operation in construction activities. Policy makers are therefore entreated to reform regulation to improve safety standards and adherence.