Affiliations: University of California, San Francisco, CA,
USA | University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA | Rudolph and Sletten, Inc.
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Marion Gillen, UCSF School of
Nursing, Department of Community Health Systems, Box 0608, San Francisco, CA
94143-0608, USA. Tel.: +1 415 476 1382; Fax: +1 415 476 6042; E-mail:
marion.gillen@nursing.ucsf.edu
Abstract: Background and Goals: Despite the institution of explicit safety
practices in construction, there continue to be exceedingly high rates of
morbidity and mortality from work-related injury. This study's purpose was to
identify, compare and contrast views of construction managers from large and
small firms regarding construction safety practices. A complementary analysis
was conducted with construction workers. Methods: A semi-structured interview guide was used to elicit
information from construction managers (n = 22) in a series of focus groups.
Questions were designed to obtain information on direct safety practices and
indirect practices such as communication style, attitude, expectations, and
unspoken messages. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results: Managers identified a broad commitment to safety, worker
training, a changing workplace culture, and uniform enforcement as key
constructs in maintaining safe worksites. Findings indicate that successful
managers need to be involved, principled, flexible, and innovative. Best
practices, as well as unsuccessful injury prevention programs, were discussed
in detail. Obstacles to consistent safety practice include poor training,
production schedules and financial constraints. Conclusions: Construction managers play a pivotal role in the
definition and implementation of safety practices in the workplace. In order to
succeed in this role, they require a wide variety of management skills, upper
management support, and tools that will help them instill and maintain a
positive safety culture. Developing and expanding management skills of
construction managers may assist them in dealing with the complexity of the
construction work environment, as well as providing them with the tools
necessary to decrease work-related injuries.
Keywords: construction industry, safety and health, management practices, qualitative methodology
