Influences on subcontractor OHS management outcomes in *construction

The research monitored the implementation of a series of management interventions designed to improve subcontractor safety performance on Australian construction sites. At the same time the influence on safety performance and subcontractor attitudes and perceptions of risk—based on feedback, strong management commitment, and improvement in documented safety systems, was assessed.

International and Australian practices in subcontractor occupational health and safety (OHS) management were identified to determine weaknesses in Australian construction industry practices. A series of key areas for intervention were identified and ten construction sites in New South Wales were selected to implement the management interventions and monitor safety performance over 12 months.

Improvement in site safety performance was identified. Where feedback on safety performance was provided to subcontractors, both safety performance and attitudes against risk taking improved more significantly over those sites when no feedback was provided. A definitive link between safety performance, measured using a behaviour-based technique, and low probability, high consequence events (accidents) was not determined. However, the research intervention coincided with downward trend in Lost Time Injuries and first aid treatments.

Superior OHS performance on the construction sites that participated in the research corresponded with the reporting of significantly higher injury numbers. The participating principal contractor in control of these sites was found to demonstrate superior management commitment to OHS determined by research interviews. The finding strengthens the link between strong management commitment and superior safety performance. In addition, strong commitment was found to generally coincide with more sophisticated OHS management and therefore better recording and reporting of injuries, which resulted in the higher injury numbers recorded.

Traditional OHS outcome performance levels based on injury rates failed to correspond with the performance levels determined by the behaviour-based positive performance measurement technique used. This prompted further comparison and corroboration of the research findings using standard safety management system auditing tools and resulted in the development of a series of positive performance indicators (PPIs) for safety in the construction industry. The research findings identified that a mix of PPIs and traditional outcome measures provided the basis for improved OHS performance appraisal of a construction project.