Understanding the role of local safety groups in managing safety practices between micro construction firms and principal contractors

Tools

Aboagye-Nimo, E. ORCID: 0000-0002-7651-744X, Raidén, A. ORCID: 0000-0001-7176-1139 and King, A. ORCID: 0000-0002-6195-687X, 2014. Understanding the role of local safety groups in managing safety practices between micro construction firms and principal contractors. In: A.B. Raidén ORCID: 0000-0001-7176-1139 and E. Aboagye-Nimo ORCID: 0000-0002-7651-744X, eds., Proceedings of the 30th Annual ARCOM Conference, Portsmouth, 1-3 September 2014. United Kingdom: Association of Researchers in Construction Management, pp. 381-390. ISBN 9780955239083

Preview

Text
218167_PubSub1263_Raiden.pdf - Published version
Download (258kB) | Preview

Abstract

Construction projects incorporate the input of a range of tradesmen and different sized firms, ranging from micro to large organisations. Working practices of micro construction firms are carried out in an informal manner while larger organisations tend to adopt more formal on-site management techniques. Many micro firms seek to develop long-term relationships with large principal contractors and a major strain on their relationships stem from the difference in safety management techniques they employ. Faced with a fundamental shift in their style of safety management, workers of micro construction firms must successfully negotiate this challenge. Against this background, records from the Health and Safety Executives show year on year reductions in accident and incident rates in the East Midlands, an indication that the safety practices on projects are being implemented more effectively. Some of this success has been attributed to the efforts of local safety groups, such as Nottinghamshire Occupational Safety and Health Association (NOSHA). As such, it is important that the interdependencies between large principal contractors and micro firms, and the role that safety groups such as NOSHA play in managing this relationship are better understood. This paper presents interviews conducted with some members of NOSHA. This is the first of two phases of empirical work. The roles that the members of the local safety group perform have been found to go beyond simply promoting safety awareness and safety knowledge on site. They have been found to help in conflict resolution among the various construction parties. Such practices help create a harmonious working environment and subsequently lead to long-term working relations.

Item Type:	Chapter in book
Creators:	Aboagye-Nimo, E., Raidén, A. and King, A.
Publisher:	Association of Researchers in Construction Management
Place of Publication:	United Kingdom
Date:	2014
ISBN:	9780955239083
Divisions:	Schools > Nottingham Business School Schools > School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
Record created by:	EPrints Services
Date Added:	09 Oct 2015 10:53
Last Modified:	31 Jul 2019 13:49
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/19687