Measuring health and safety performance of construction projects in South Africa

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a client-driven H&S rating model to be used by construction clients to improve their overall project H&S performance. The attitude of clients towards H&S is critical in the overall H&S improvement effort on construction projects. This hypothesis was tested and verified using Covariance-Based Structural Equation Modelling (CB-SEM). Using the framework of factors from previous studies, a survey method was adopted for collecting data for this study. Contrary to the findings of the previous studies, the final CB-SEM results suggested that the contractual H&S arrangement is the only construct which has a direct effect on project H&S performance. Mediation hypothesis testing was performed, and results were that attitude and selection of contractors based on their historical health and safety performance have an indirect effect of project health and safety performance. The study was limited to a selection of projects for a range of clients executed by a major construction contracting organization. The study highlighted the urgent need to change the traditional mind-set that H&S is the responsibility of the construction contractors alone.