Source: ConstructionWeekOnline
1. Introduction
The
Health and Safety (H&S) issues are getting serious attention in past few
years. According to the declaration of EC (2014), construction sites are rated
as the most risk-oriented and dangerous working sector of Europe and it is in
context of European Union, the rate of fatal accident is getting 13 workers out
of100,000, in contrast to 5% out of 100,000 at an average for all the other
industrial sector. This research paper aims in offering an analytical
understanding about the factors that are subject to influence the H&S
concerns in the Construction projects. In this approach for a better
understanding of the selected topic, a comparative analysis has been initiated
between the construction sector of Qatar and that of the United Kingdom. The
regulation and laws related to H&S regarding the conditions and working
environment of construction sector, in these countries are compared to check
into the relevance of necessary modification, if needed.
The purpose is to gain a balanced way of knowing the factors that actually hinder the implementation of H&S related regulations in these nations.
The purpose is to gain a balanced way of knowing the factors that actually hinder the implementation of H&S related regulations in these nations.
1.1 Research
Aim
This
research paper aims in offering an analytical understanding about the factors that
are subject to influence the Health and Safety (H&S) concerns in the
Construction projects.
2.
Literature Review
This
literature review concentrates in gaining necessary information about the Health
and Safety (H&S) issues and regulations in the construction sector. The
issues of accidents, challenges for offering performances and concern of the
clients in this domain are analysed under generalised conditions. However the
regulations and the policies related to Health and Security (H&S) in terms
of constructions projects are investigated in reference to Qatar and the UK.
The
basic idea of this literature review is to collect necessary information from
the secondary sources and to gain the base for the understanding of the factors
that influence the H&S concerns of the construction projects. It further makes
an attempt to compare the instances from Qatar and the UK for balanced
analytical derivations. The comparisons are made on the basis of the current
status of H&S in these countries under the policies and determined
regulations as established by respective governments.
2.1.
H&S in Construction
The works noted under H&S sector of construction are
counted in terms of residual risks that must get well managed by the organisation.
The management of H&S in construction process, within the norms of
regulations decided by the government is a definite task and demands excessive
contributions of appropriate structure. There is also the need to understand
the humanitarian responsibilities towards all those people who are connected to
the particular construction project (Lingard, et al., 2009). Maintenance of health
and safety aims in the establishment of project set up within the legal and
morally justified standards. In this pursuit, it is necessary to identify the
factors causing accidents in the construction sites, challenges in offering
quality performance and the consciousness of the clients regarding these
aspects.
2.1.1.
Factors of Accidents
For
the identification of the core factors causing accidents in the construction
sites, there is the need to note the basic categories. According to HSE (2014),
under categorical distributions, the category for Worker and the team, the
possibilities of accidents are subject to led by the behaviour and the
capabilities of the worker. This is inclusive of the skills and the knowledge a
worker has for the work. Modes of communication, immediate and sudden
supervisions and poor health and fatigue in the worker can lead to obvious
accidents. The category for workplace
marks the conditions of the site, its layout and spaces, environment, schedule
or working hours and even negligence from housekeeping can cause accidents (McDonald
et al., 2009: 53). In terms of materials and equipments, there are the factors
of not well investigated suitability, usability and conditions are liable to
cause more serious kinds of accidents in the construction sites. This is
something that is equally applicable the concern of assessing originality of
the influences caused by permanent design of the work, management of the
project and the process of initiating the construction project. Avoidance of
safety related culture and non-management of risks are some of the added factors
that lead grievous accidents in the construction sites (HSE, 2014).
HSE
(2003) also notes some of the major factors that are responsible for causing
accidents int e construction sites. These factors are noted as -
Figure 1 Physical and Business Factors
Source: HSE (2003, p. 66)
According
to the aforementioned figure, the reasons of accidents in the construction
projects get noted under the Physical and Business environments. Through
various proceedings of constraints and responses, there are inappropriate
operational instances that lead to some of the undesired or accidental events
in the constructional sites.
2.1.2.
Challenges to the
Performance
The construction
sector has been identified for being unique in terms of making contributions
towards complexities and positioning of challenges, especially in delivering
quality performance and related improvements thereafter (Musonda, et al., 2012).
Some of the notable challenges related to quality performances, as counted by
Musonda, et al., (2012), after making extensive research can be noted as
follows -
· Construction
projects are more likely to offer temporary mode of employment and the same
restrict the workers in delivering quality work as they are not assured of long
term job option (Pellicer &
Molenaar, 2009: 44);
· The
locations for the work in construction sector keeps on changing and that
distracts the flow of work by the workers’ group (Riley & Brown, 2001: 150);
· The
most challenging part is that the construction projects are to be completed
hurriedly and that stresses the delivery option of quality services by the
agents
· Diversified
ranges of skills in the construction project makes it difficult for the project
organisation in handling the work properly (Pellicer & Molenaar, 2009: 44);
· Proliferation
related to the trend of subcontracting complicates the working proceedings and
as such causes more fragmentation towards the deliverance of quality
performance;
· As
construction industry is much affected and directly distracted by the cyclical mode
of economic turnovers, the budgeting with the same troubles in making any extra
promise to the sectors like H&S (Dainty et al., 2001: 163).
2.1.3.
Clients’ Consciousness
The
matter of considering the necessary responsibilities related to H&S by the
clients or the owner of the construction projects, is a notion towards
different kinds of value that one carries in oneself. Musonda, et al. (2012) in
this context refers to the deliverance of theoretical value by the client,
followed by the designer, contractors and even the investors. The
interrelationship between these stakeholders has been identified by these
scholars as -
Figure 2 Interrelationship of H&S performance with Client' Culture
Source: Musonda, et al.
(2012)
As shown in Figure 2, any construction
project can gain absolute performance based outcomes, only when the H&S
culture of the client can get enough support from the contractor and the
designer. However, direct impact of the client’s culture still cannot be
ignored in this context. It is the client’s consciousness that must remain
cooperative enough in offering strong foundation to the performance
deliverance. The client must remain aware of the fact that as the accidents in
the construction happen, the initial perception about the factors for causation
gets mostly connected to the failed structure of the organisational management,
contractor and site operatives whoare responsible for controlling unsafe
conditions of the site (Abdelhamid & Everett, 2000: 55; Suraji, et al.,
2006: 49).
2.2.
H&S in Construction:
Qatar
According
to the declarations made by LREDC (2003) the H&S concerns in the sector of
construction in Qatar is well guard by the application of generalised
facilities, scope for PPE (or the Personal Protective Equipment), and
administrative support for managing adequate welfare facilities for the people
working on-site. The owner of the
project is considered to remain responsible for offering all kinds of
assistance in terms of emergency accidents. Facilities for health checkups and
actual arrangements for site security are some of the added notions that must
be well taken care of. Moreover, the specialised attentions are led over the
security of the vehicles as well as arrangement of traffic as some works are
initiated in the public areas, particularly at night. The clients are also
liable of taking care of fire related risks and preventive measures during the
summer seasons for the workers.
2.2.1 H&S Status in Qatar: An
Overview
On
the basis of the data collected in relation with Qatar Construction Standards
2014 and Welfare Standards for Migrant Workers (Qatar Foundation) it has been
noted that the sector for H&S in Qatar is getting enough importance by the
government. It has actually attained an increase of 12.5% in terms of financial
allocation of 2014 against 2013. In 2014, the H&S sector received $4.31
billion (or QR 15.7 billion) for the purpose of implementing advanced modes of strategic
programs in every possible frontier, where construction remains to be of great
importance (Kilani, 2014). Moreover a serious increase in the numbers of
construction projects has been noted in last couple of year and currently an
involvement of 16 million QR has been declared by the Qatar Government (ibid.
2014).
2.2.2 H&S Laws in Qatar
According
to QATAR Labour Act No. 3 of 1962 by ILO (1962), Chapter 9 H&S issues are
noted from Section 53 to 58. The Section 53 states that the employers must make
the workers aware of the hazards that comprises in the respective construction
project. Instructions and preventive facilities must be declared to them with
comprehensive detailing. Section 54 instructs the employer to consider every
single precautionary measure in order to protect the workers, whereby the
instances of illness and injury will get fully compensated. All the hazards
related to the construction job, especially those related to machinery
malfunction, accident in the workplace and fire must be well protected by the
employer. Section 55 is for those employees, who have more than 50 workers must
get a first aid box within a group of 50 workers. Section 56 states that no
labour will initiate any activity in terms of violating the provisions of
H&S as decided by the government and followed by the company. Scope to
imply a protective gear, necessary equipment as well as clothing offered by employer
for H&S must adhere by the worker in order to remain protected from any
ailment or injury at the workplace. Under Section 57, the workers employed away
from the city and without transportation facilities will be liable to avail
transportation, food and drinking water from the employee under Ministerial
Decree No. 2, 1978, as in Official Gazette No. 6. Section 58, it is the
responsibility of the employer to take apt kinds of measures for the
maintenance of cleanliness and ventilation of the construction site. Availability
of necessary lightning facilities, supply of water, well structured sewer facilities;
bathroom and potable water facilities stand mandatory. These must get arranged
in accordance to the norms decided by Department of Health and the Municipality,
in charge.
2.3. H&S in Construction: The UK
Most
of the scopes and provisions of H&S in the UK are declared, maintained and
meant for Health and Safety Executive. HSE considers schemes noted by Standard
Industrial Classification of Economic Activities, declared in the 2007 (the SIC
20071) forthe identification of construction industry. SIC 2007, declares
construction under Section F as building construction of new building (Division
41); Civil engineering for infrastructural projects, roads, ports, bridges (Division
42); and Specialised activities of construction noted by repairing, building
maintenance, remodelling, extending and even demolition (Division 43).
2.3.1 H&S Status in the UK: An Overview
In
the year 2013/14p, it has been noted that 91% of construction code (as in SIC
Section F) were marked, where 69% was meant for reports on construction, 9% led
by other industries and maintenance and repair comprised of rest 13%. According
to Office for National Statistics (or the ONS) the economic investment in the construction
sector of the UK by August 2013 decreases at a rate of 0.3% with a fall of 1.7%
of May, 2013. As per year-on-year estimation this decrease is noteworthy as the
construction level thereafter shows an output of 9% lesser than the
pre-downturn peak that was noted in the Q1 of the year 2008 (ONS, 2014).
A
notable reduction has been marked in the rates and count of injury in last two
decades. Still, the sector of construction remains under the note of high risk.
According to the latest results as declared by HSE (2014) a substantial
reduction has been noted in terms of the fatal injuries at the site of
construction in past four decades. However, 42 numbers of fatal injuries with 14
of fatalities being self-employed gets count to remain in an average of 46 in
last 5 years. This is inclusive of 17 towards the self-employed domain. An estimated
76,000 cases were related to work-related ailments, whereby 31, 000 are new
cases. A total of 2.3 million numbers of working days are counted as lost in the
year 2013-14, along with 1.7 million caused by serious workplace related
ailments and 592,000 caused by injury at the workplace. An accumulated count of
injuries added by new cases in the sector of H&S under construction sector
depends largely from the condition of current projects in workers, whereby the
cost of over society is marked as £1.1 billion average every year. Detailed
records of fatal injuries in the UK construction site gets noted as -
Figure 3 Fatal Injuries at Construction sites from 1974 to 2013-14
Source: HSE (2014)
2.3.2 H&S Laws in the UK
The
laws and regulation related to H&S sector of the construction domain of the
UK were managed under the Health and
Safety at Work Act 1974, and later improved under Construction Design and Management Regulations, 1994 and Management of Health and Safety of Work
Regulations, 1999 (HSE, 2006).
The
Act of 1974 was a more generalised law that stood for H&S issues of every
industrial sector. The core thread of this act that is still practiced is the
notion of maintaining reliability by the employers about the security of health
and safety of the worker in relation with the risks that are led by the
workplace. As the developments were noted in 1994 and 1999, a specialised attention
was led over the construction projects. The Construction Design and Management
(or the CDM) Regulations of 1994, considered the H&S aspects to be managed throughout
the project duration and every single stage of development of the project. It
begins from the time of conception, to the stage of designing and planning of
the construction site and subsequently gets maintained in the process of
maintenance and repairing as needed. The process of making decisions under exceptional
instances of CDM, the following process gets recommended by HSE (2006) -
Figure 4 Decision Tool under CDM
Source: HSE (2006)
Application
of Management of Health and Safety of Work Regulations (MHSWR), 1999
concentrated in strict H&S concerns of the worker irrespective of
considering any excuse from the employer. The approach is developed under
regulations of maintaining better health and risk free working conditions, no
matter whatever is the work. The pressure was led on the employers about
meeting the demands of the employees and organise the management proceedings as
per planned, well controlled and organised process of monitoring and regular
reviewing of working conditions and facilities as noted in the H&S of the
construction site.
3.
Research Methodology
In
the process of understanding the factors influencing the Health and Safety provisions
in the Construction Projects, it is necessary to collect reliable data. For
this purpose, this research aims in collecting data from various peer-reviewed
journal articles, books, news related to H&S issues in construction sites
of the selected countries and various documents published for the same purpose.
However, as these secondary sources appear limited for the research, the data
collection process has been extended towards the collection of primary data
from practical fields or sites. In this venture, qualitative research
methodology has been adopted and data have been collected through
questionnaires and interviews with volunteers related to the construction
sectors of Qatar and the UK. The questionnaires were distributed through online
communications and the interviews were arranged through video
conferencing.
4.
Results and Analysis
As
the research takes on the literatures and news articles related to H&S in
the field of construction projects, it has been derived that the data and
analytical reviews in this particular field is very limited. Moreover, the
comparative analysis between the current controversial situations of Qatar and the
UK are yet to be explored. The data based on primary investigations as
initiated through the online communications, video conferencing with people
involved in the construction projects, clearly state that serious negligence
from the owner, management, and even to some extent, government gets visible.
Though enough acknowledgements are done about the policies and laws related to
the maintenance of H&S in the construction sites, yet the real
implementations are restricted due to various factors, especially due to the
lack of professional system (Winch, 2000: 142).
5.
Discussions
In
addition, observed that the construction industry is largely operationalised
through a professional system
which
requires that designs be fully specified at tender stage. Yet
the
assumptions regarding the competence of designers in the
technical
details of a wide range of construction technologies and
the
ability of the client to keep requirements fixed over a period of
time
compromise the effectiveness of the professional system. The
fact
is that designs are rarely fully specified (Winch, 2000: 145). This
system
has also contributed to the industry’s lack of cooperation
and
integration. Egan (1998: 13) observed that the construction
industry
was basically an industry typically dealing with the project
process
as a series of sequential and largely separate operations
undertaken
by individual designers, contractors and suppliers who
have
no stake in the long-term success of the project and therefore
do
not have any commitment to it. Therefore, changing this culture
is
fundamental if performance improvement is to be realised.
5.1 Enforcement in the UK
HSE
and local authorities are responsible for enforcing health and safety
legislation. Each has a range of tools at their disposal in seeking to secure
compliance with the law and ensure a proportionate response to offences. For
more serious offences, inspectors may serve improvement notices and prohibition
notices and they may prosecute (or in Scotland, report to the Procurator Fiscal
with a view to prosecution).
In
2013/14p the number of cases heard was 8% lower than the average for the
previous 3 years. Nearly 95% of cases resulted in a conviction.
Source: HSE (2014)
Source: HSE (2014)
The
number of Notices, particularly Improvement Notices, increased, after falling
in the previous two years
6.
Conclusion
On a
conclusive note, it can be marked that the laws and policies related to
maintenance and management of H&S in the construction sites needs serious
attention. With the increase in the rate of accidents in the construction sites
of Qatar and the UK, this research aims in finding the factors that are
restricting the process of implementing the determined rules related to the
H&S of people involved in the construction projects. There will be also an
attempt to derive appropriate solutions to these hindrances, so that the rates
of accidents can be minimised to a great extent.
References
Abdelhamid, T.S. &
Everett, J.G. (2000) Identifying root causes of construction accidents. Journal
of Construction Engineering and Management, 126(1), pp. 52-60.
Dainty, A.R.J., Briscoe,
G.H. & Millet, S.J. (2001) New perspectives on construction supply chain
integration. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 6(4), pp.
163-173.
EC (2014) Health and safety
at work statistics". Eurostat. European Commission. 25 September 2014.
Retrieved on 13th Dec. 2014 http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Main_Page
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