Investigation on the adequacy of health and safety management in Indian construction sector

The global construction industry grapples with substantial challenges concerning health and safety (H&S), as evidenced by concerning performance metrics. This research addresses this critical concern by honing on the distinctive context of the Indian construction sector. Through literature review, spanning developed and developing countries,this study identified issues specific to each nation and undertook a meticulous examination of on-site H&S management in India.This investigation delves into Indian governance system, law making process, along with identifying and understanding current provisions available for H&S in construction considering constitutional provisions, pertinent statutory acts, and currently applicable schemes of government governing H&S for the Indian construction industry. Finally, a SWOT analysis was performed. Subsequently, the research pinpointed 76 independent variables influencing on-site H&S, subjected them to expert validation, and refined the list to 35 through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). The results of EFA also proposed an innovative conceptual framework featuring four factors: Governmental Regulatory Factor (GRF), Organizational Regulatory Factor (ORF), Worker's Self-protective Factor (WSPF), and Job Factor (JF), impacting the dependent variable Overall Impact on Health and Safety (OIHS). The hypothesized model underwent for validation through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Path Analysis under the umbrella of Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The relative importance of factors were identified by employing Regression Analysis, PLS-SEM, and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and ranked the factors by their relative importance. GRF emerged as the pivotal factor, succeeded by ORF, WSPF, and JF.Amidst the rapid growth of India's construction industry, this research provides invaluable insights for policymakers tasked with formulating effective H&S strategies. It also serves as a valuable resource for industry stakeholders and professionals seeking to elevate H&S practices. Recognizing the unique factors shaping H&S in the Indian context, the study advocates for tailored strategies and interventions. The findings not only enrich academic knowledge but also hold practical implications for cultivating a safer and healthier construction environment in India.