Use of safety management practices for improving project performance

Area of Science:

• Construction Management
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Project Performance Metrics

Background:

• Site safety is a critical concern in construction, yet research on safety management practices (SMPs) is limited.
• Existing literature often overlooks the direct impact of specific SMPs on overall project outcomes.
• This study addresses the gap by investigating the relationship between SMPs and project performance in the construction industry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To empirically assess the effect of various safety management practices (SMPs) on construction project performance.
• To identify which specific SMPs have a significant impact on project success.
• To provide evidence-based recommendations for enhancing safety management in construction projects.

Main Methods:

• An empirical study was conducted in Hong Kong.
• Data on safety management practices and project performance were collected.
• Multiple regression analysis was employed to analyze the data and test hypotheses.

Main Results:

• Three specific SMPs demonstrated a significant impact on project performance: 'safety committee at project/site level', 'written safety policy', and 'safety training scheme'.
• These three practices collectively explained a significant portion of the variance in project performance.
• Other tested SMPs did not show statistically significant effects on project performance in this study.

Conclusions:

• The establishment of safety committees, the implementation of written safety policies, and comprehensive safety training schemes are vital for improving construction project performance.
• Integrating these key SMPs into project planning and execution is essential for assuring safe and successful construction outcomes.
• Further research can explore the nuances of these practices and their application across different construction contexts.