Safety Risk Management in Construction Worksites

ABSTRACT: This study in safety risk management of construction worksites in Singapore stems primarily from recent concerns following several fatal accidents. A greater need for safety is apparent, as the reports from the Ministry of Manpower have shown that construction injuries remain disproportionately high compared to the total number of industrial accidents. The main objectives of this study are to ascertain the safety hazards faced by construction workers and the measures to deal with these hazards.
A questionnaire survey was sent to 150 randomly selected contractors in early November 1999. A 36 percent response rate was obtained. Interviews were conducted with various professionals in the insurance and construction industries to solicit information from the perspective of the practitioners, so that a better understanding of both industries could be achieved. Results indicated that the contractors agreed that practicing good risk management is important. The results of this study are useful to employers in the construction industry who are responsible for providing a safe work environment for workers, as well as to practitioners in the insurance industry involved in construction projects.