Evaluation of Health and Safety Performance of Subcontractors in Construction Projects

Abstract

Health and safety in construction industry is still a challenge. Generally, efforts to improve health and safety performance in the construction industry focused more on the main contractor, with little attention to subcontractors. While subcontractors dominate the construction industry, little is known regarding on how they influence health and safety performance in construction sites. This study therefore aims to evaluate health and safety performance of subcontractors in construction projects. In achieving this objective, the study adopted mixed method whereby both qualitative and quantitative information were obtained. The study used questionnaire survey whereby 33 subcontractors were selected purposively in the category of electrical, plumbing and air condition. In addition, three subcontractors were selected for the interview, based on their experience, and level of education. Findings from this study reveal that, proper budget allocated into each work package, stakeholders health and safety responsibilities, safety communication, and enforcement of safety law and regulations are the factors that influence safety performance of subcontractors. The study further revealed that, lack of safety committee, failure to employ safety officer, lack of safety communication between subcontractors and main contractor, and inadequate personal protective equipment are the challenges facing subcontractors to implement safety. Furthermore, employing safety officer, close supervision and top management commitment on safety related issues, enforcement of safety law and regulation are the strategies to improve safety performance. The study concluded that, effective selection and monitoring of subcontractors‟ activities and effective safety training is the best way to improve safety performance. The study recommends that the Government ought to enforce health and safety law, and regulation at construction sites in order to improve safety performance.