Flory, J P (2025) The value of using prequalification scores for assessing contractor safety climate at chemical manufacturing sites. PhD thesis, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, USA.
Abstract
Performing construction activities within an operating chemical manufacturer are inherently dangerous. It is especially hazardous for third-party contractors who typically perform these tasks. Most chemical manufacturers require third-party contractors to meet specific prequalification requirements before they are approved to work on their sites. The prequalification requirements are intended to assess contractors’ past and future performance and identify those who have a safety level that matches that of the host organization. This study evaluates statistically if contractor prequalification safety scores (derived from a third-party subscription-based contractor evaluation tool) are significant predictors of contractors' safety climate. The study's focus is on construction companies working for a global chemical manufacturer. A total of 803 construction workers in various trades participated in the survey. These workers represented 52 construction companies. The overall findings from this study reveal that the prequalification scoring process used by the host chemical company does not appear to reflect safety climate nor does it preferentially reflect organization rather than group safety climate. Results of a correlation matrix gave little to no evidence of any correlation between prequalification sub-variables and safety climate variables. This includes the lack of correlation between prequalification scores and organization or group safety climate. This was similarly mirrored when comparing lagging indicators and health and safety written program components of the prequalification matrix to total safety climate scores. The lack of correlations suggest that the current prequalification process is not adequate to determine or vet companies by singling out those with higher probabilities of having stronger safety climates (and thereby stronger safety performance).
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Wachter, J K |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction activities; health and safety; manufacturing; prequalification; safety; safety climate; construction worker |
| Index terms: | safety performance, survey, manufacturer, safety climate, construction worker, evidence, program, construction activity, evaluation tool, construction company, health and safety |
| Subjects: | software systems, data collection methods, practitioner, construction operations, occupational health and safety management, evaluation and assessment methods, health safety and environment, organization |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Business Strategy, Roles and Professions, Digital Applications, Health and Safety, Site Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
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