INVESTING IN SAFETY IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN ISLAMABAD AND RAWALPINDI

Abstract

Construction industry is one of the most hazardous industries where workers are more prone to accidents. These accidents can be reduced by improving the safety performance of construction industry through investing in safety to reap long term financial benefits. Investing in safety at the construction projects can be realized through the involvement of the top management of the construction companies. It ultimately leads the companies to superior safety performance by evaluating their weaknesses and incorporating the best safety practices. This study presents identification of the weaknesses in current health and safety management practices and various aspects of health and safety management systems that need financial investments by the construction companies, operating in the Islamabad / Rawalpindi. The study instrument is a questionnaire based survey comprising of different aspects of safety management system practices and the associated financial resources spent to implement and monitor the safety systems. The questionnaire was pilot tested to make it suitable for construction projects in Islamabad / Rawalpindi area. This questionnaire was used to collect data from 71 building construction projects located in Islamabad / Rawalpindi area. Various statistical tests were performed on the collected data. Analyses of the data were carried out by using SPSS – 17.0. Results demonstrate that the health and safety management system in place at the construction project sites in the Islamabad / Rawalpindi region are not up to standards. Major findings of this study include: 1) non-existence of health and safety managers / personnel to implement and monitor health and safety; 2) implementation of health and safety was considered as a formality rather than an obligation or responsibility; 3) more emphasis on productivity by stakeholders rather than on working safely; 4) clients aversion to provide any budget for health and safety implementation and monitoring; 5) contractors considering that training of workers and staff is not beneficial for their business; 6) contractors’ reluctance to invest in health and safety management and considering it a cost rather than an investment; and 7) workers’ unawareness of their rights.