CBPM Conference 2026 · Vol. 2026, Issue 1

Assessing health and safety compliance and risk conditions in higher education buildings: A mixed-methods case study of a public university in the Free State, South Africa

Mojabeng Vinolia Mokgobo, France Raphela, and Rotondwa Nemakhavhani

Keywords: Facilities governance, Institutional resilience, Occupant safety, Regulatory compliance, Risk prioritisation

Abstract

This study aims to assess health and safety compliance and risk conditions within buildings at a public higher education institution in the Free State Province, South Africa. Universities represent complex built environments where inadequate health and safety management can negatively affect user wellbeing, institutional performance, and regulatory compliance. A descriptive cross-sectional research design adopting a mixed-methods approach was employed to assess health and safety conditions within university buildings at a specific point in time. The mixedmethods approach integrated quantitative questionnaire surveys, qualitative semi-structured interviews, and building inspection checklists to obtain both numerical and experiential data. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four purposively selected health and safety professionals to identify regulatory requirements, management practices, and key risk areas. Furthermore, completed questionnaires were obtained from 372 students and 235 staff members to assess perceptions of health and safety conditions within university buildings. A checklist was also used to evaluate building safety conditions. The study focuses on a single institution, which may limit generalisability. However, the findings provide context-specific insights applicable to similar public higher education institutions in South Africa. The findings showed that while formal health and safety systems exist, their implementation across buildings is inconsistent. Key occupational hazards included blocked emergency exits, inadequate fire safety measures, poor ventilation, insufficient lighting, and ageing infrastructure. Non-compliance was associated with limited safety awareness, delayed maintenance, and weak monitoring, while management commitment supported better compliance. Existing control measures were present but inconsistently applied, reducing their effectiveness and resulting in uneven health and safety compliance across buildings. The study proposes evidence-based recommendations to strengthen health and safety management systems, enhance compliance monitoring, and support risk-informed decision-making in higher education facilities.