Azhar, S and Choudhry, R M (2016) Capacity building in construction health and safety research, education, and practice in Pakistan. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 6(1), pp. 92-105. ISSN 2044-124X
Abstract
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present findings of a capacity building project on construction health and safety that is recently completed in Pakistan. The major objectives of this project are: first, to benchmark the current state of construction health and safety practices in Pakistan and to identify the data needs for continuous performance measurement; second, to develop health and safety guidelines; third, to develop adequate educational and training material; and finally, to improve the existing regulatory infrastructure for worker health and safety. Design/methodology/approach - Mixed-methods approach is adopted for data collection which included site observations, surveys, semi-structured interviews, and case studies. The methodology consists of following major tasks: first, literature review and study of best practices; second, investigation of existing safety practices and development of guidelines; third, educational and training programs for construction professionals and educators; and finally, development of a strategic framework for continuous improvement in construction safety culture, laws, and practices. Collected data were analyzed using various qualitative and quantitative data analysis methods. Findings - The enforcement of health and safety regulations on construction sites is very limited in Pakistan. Procedures for formulating, implementing, and monitoring safety rules and regulations are weak, and the implementation of safety management systems does not occur on most construction sites. The paper presents a detailed plan to improve the health and safety culture, laws, and practices in Pakistan. Practical/implications - Detailed proposals for improving existing construction health and safety laws and regulations are prepared for relevant regulatory and statutory bodies and ministries in Pakistan. From an educational perspective, comprehensive health and safety training material are developed and training workshops are conducted in major cities of Pakistan. Over 1,000 construction professionals benefited from these workshops. Social/implications - The project helped in raising awareness about construction health and safety in Pakistan. Originality/value - The project benchmarked existing health and safety practices in Pakistan. It identified data needs for continuous monitoring of health and safety performance and provided a mechanism for collecting such data. The project produced international standard health and safety training material that can fulfill the local needs. The project deliverables are extremely helpful for other developing countries in the region.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | developing countries; construction industry; risk management; construction systems; health and safety; safety measures |
| Index terms: | literature review, investigation, continuous improvement, developing country, regulation, construction system, data analysis, safety management system, interview, enforcement, workshop, methodology, construction professional, best practice, health and safety practices, monitoring, construction site, implementation, construction safety, case study, proposal, health and safety, construction industry, performance measurement, statutory body, capacity building, safety measures, program, risk management, survey, Pakistan |
| Subjects: | performance measurement, building construction, industry analysis, research methods, project planning, development economics, professional development, political science, environmental health, construction type, software systems, risk assessment, Geography, business, data collection methods, data analysis and analytics, occupational health and safety management, health safety and environment, control systems, social and economic development, work location, administrative law, contractual arrangements |
| Topics: | Sustainability, Geographical Context, Digital Applications, Regulations & Compliance, Project Management, Quality Management, Research Practice, Site Management, Information Management, Risk Management, Business Strategy, Human Resources, Construction Technology, Engineering Principles, Health and Safety, International Construction, Governance, Procurement |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here