Møller, J L; Kines, P; Dyreborg, J; Andersen, L L and Ajslev, J Z N (2021) The competences of successful safety and health coordinators in construction projects. Construction Management and Economics, 39(3), pp. 199-211. ISSN 01446193
Abstract
The construction industry is among the most hazardous industries, with a fatality rate in Europe 3.4 times higher than average. While the occupational safety and health (OSH) coordinator has been a key actor in European efforts proposed to improve OSH in the industry since 1992, it is important to study the competences needed for the successful coordination of OSH in the construction industry. Existing literature on OSH coordinator competences are examined, and an expert survey is used to identify the competences characterising the most successful coordinators in Denmark. Finally, observational case studies of the perceived most successful coordinators in the Danish construction industry are used to exemplify the newly identified competences. The most frequently mentioned competences, not covered in previous research, are “innovativeness,” “having overview,” “persistency,” “thoroughness,” “sociability,” and “being systematic.” The results demonstrate the important “practice of knowing,” rather than possessing formal knowledge, education, and/or skills. The most important practice of knowing for the coordinators is likely that of the ability to transfer knowledge into practice. Future research, education and legal requirement in this field could benefit from a focus on what practices of knowledge actually work in real-life settings, rather than focussing on idealistic notions of these qualities.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction industry; innovativeness; occupational safety and health coordinator; overview; persistency; sociability |
| Index terms: | competence, construction project, Denmark, survey, occupational safety and health, coordination, construction industry, case study, Europe |
| Subjects: | occupational health and safety management, industry analysis, management, physical geography and landforms, Geography, production management, personnel development, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Human Resources, Health and Safety, Research Practice, Project Management, Geographical Context |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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