Enhancing Construction Safety Through Workplace Surveillance and Systematic Follow-Ups

Area of Science:

• Occupational Safety and Health
• Construction Management
• Risk Assessment

Background:

• Construction industry faces significant occupational safety and health (OSH) risks globally.
• Managing OSH in large projects is complex, requiring robust strategies and innovative solutions.
• Effective safety surveillance is crucial for accident prevention in construction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing safety surveillance combined with proactive management follow-up.
• To assess the impact of these strategies on OSH risks and injury rates in large construction workplaces.

Main Methods:

• Trained observers used a digital platform to record risk conditions and details.
• A predictive tool was introduced to assess the likelihood of severe outcomes like Lost Time Incidents (LTIs) or fatalities.
• Leadership teams regularly reviewed outcomes and followed up on actions.

Main Results:

• Increased capture of safety lapses led to prompt corrective and preventive actions by managers.
• A gradual downward trend was observed in recorded risk conditions over the study period.
• Associated rates of recorded injuries also showed a decrease.

Conclusions:

• A structured, proactive approach with leadership involvement significantly improves construction site safety.
• Prompt remedial actions are key to enhancing working conditions and safety performance.
• The study confirms the hypothesis that active management of OSH risks yields positive results.