Health and Safety Management Systems within Construction Contractor Organizations: Case Study of South Africa

Abstract

The study reported in this paper investigated health and safety management systems (HSMS) found within medium to large construction contractor organizations in South Africa. The aim of the study was to identify the nuances associated with the dominant health and safety management systems within these organizations and to categorize them into types. A qualitative descriptive research methodology was adopted, and data was collected through semistructured interviews involving safety managers, health and safety (H&S) advisors at employers’ associations, and consulting firms. An analysis of the data revealed that the broad spectrum of health and safety management systems within contractor organizations in South Africa can be categorized into three distinct types. Defining features of the three HSMS types across three thematic areas were distilled. The position of the health and safety professional, legislative requirements, supply chain demands, and subcontracting practices of the organization are identified as factors that shape each HSMS type to varying degrees. The categorization and characterization outcomes of this study enables a subsequent objective evaluation of effectiveness and provide explanations for successes and failures of construction HSMS.