De Silva, N and Wimalaratne, P L I (2012) OSH management framework for workers at construction sites in Sri Lanka. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 19(4), pp. 369-392. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose -This study attempts to identify a simple and efficient framework to be implemented in the Sri Lankan construction industry to inculcate a "safe and healthy" working environment for its workforce. Design/methodology/approach -The occupational safety and health (OSH) management strategies that could be implemented in the construction sites were identified through a comprehensive literature survey and a pilot survey. A questionnaire survey was carried out among the safety and health (S&H) experts to explore the most effective OSH management strategies and thereafter to derive OSH mechanisms to promote the safer and healthy environment in the construction sites. Success of these mechanisms in the local industry was analyzed and was subsequently used to develop the OSH management framework. Findings -A total of 35 significant OSH management strategies, unsafe and unhealthy factors as risk factors for fatal and non-fatal situations were identified. A further ten OSH management mechanisms were established as adequate safety supervision, site environment, controlling the workers' safe and healthy behaviour, centralized OSH management unit, resources and insurance policies, management commitment, supportive devices, OSH documentation, OSH education and awareness, and OSH committee. Further, these ten mechanisms were used to establish the OSH framework to be implemented in Sri Lankan construction sites. Originality/value -OSH management in the Sri Lankan construction industry can be enhanced by implementing the proposed OSH management framework.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | accidents; accidents and health hazards; construction industry; construction workforce; hazards; health and safety requirements; industrial accidents; occupational health and safety; occupational safety and health; risk management; risk rates; safety and health strategies |
| Index terms: | health and safety, health hazard, survey, documentation, commitment, occupational health and safety, strategy, construction site, questionnaire, methodology, management strategy, Sri Lanka, risk factor, risk management, occupational safety and health, management mechanism, insurance, supervision, construction industry |
| Subjects: | risk assessment, data collection methods, control systems, psychology, work location, economic analysis, management, research methods, Geography, health safety and environment, professional development, occupational health and safety management, industry analysis, environmental hazards |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Site Management, Sustainability, Risk Management, Geographical Context, Project Management, Research Practice, Information Management, Business Strategy, Health and Safety |
| 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