A study of safety attitudinal divergence in a large-scaled construction project

Abstract

The poor site safety record has been the problematic area in the Hong Kong construction industry over a decade. The safety culture seems unchangeable by using any kinds of strategy. The importance of safety attitude is always neglected in the process of improvement on safety culture. Hence, this dissertation aimed to evaluate and compare the safety attitudes within the sub - contracting levels (client, main contractor and sub - contractor) and the management levels (senior management, management and worker), to find out strategy to build up safety culture for improving the safety performance. Two sets of questionnaire named A and B were distributed in project - based to obtain comments from the senior management on the effectiveness of the possible safety management strategy and to evaluate the attitude differences from the aforesaid levels respectively. The results of the questionnaire A showed that the senior management had attitude to change the safety culture but the difficulties were the cost, time and control. The findings of the questionnaires B were analyzed by Reliability Analysis, ANOVA and Correlation Analysis. The results stated that the design of questionnaire was highly reliable; Secondly, there were attitude differences within the sub-contracting levels and management levels, the main reasons were the safety attitude of sub-contractor and worker were relative low. Finally, the correlation coefficient showed that the positive safety attitudes could be enhanced by four factors, which were responsibility, government & company policy, safety training & knowledge and general attitude on site safety. This led to find out the tipping points to improve the safety culture at the first priority. Base on the factors that have been explained in the part of correlation analysis, this study recommends that reducing the number of subcontracted labors; compulsive and regular safety training course; posting regulations, safety plans and promotion banners on site as much as possible; finally the attendance of safety assembly, all of which can improve safety attitudes and culture.