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Analysis of Safety Programs of 16 Large Construction Companies

Scott Potts¹ and James D. McGlothlin²

Abstract

The most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that as the cost of construction projects increase, the incidence rates of falls decrease.  This indicates that large construction companies, who typically have large construction projects, have lower incidence rates of falls from elevations than small construction companies.  One possibility is that the greater financial resources of large construction companies allow them to develop more comprehensive safety programs.  The purpose of the present research was to determine whether there were common elements of the safety programs of large construction companies that could account for the lower incidences of falls from elevations.  Twenty-five construction companies with average construction contracts estimated at one million dollars or greater were selected from a list of companies that sponsor internships through the Construction Engineering Management School at Purdue University.  The safety directors of sixteen of those companies volunteered to answer a standardized questionnaire during a telephone interview with Purdue University researchers in the School of Health Sciences.  The questionnaire consisted of twenty questions that focused on information about company safety performance, safety program structure, safety program implementation procedures, and the motivation and history behind the development of the safety program.  The results indicated that the primary element that contributed to reducing falls from elevations was the commitment of upper management to support and promote safety as a top priority.  The development of a “safety culture” was the cornerstone of effective safety programs.  The second most important element was training line supervisors in the area of supervision.  The safety directors reported that a shortcoming of most line supervisors was that they lacked the necessary supervisory skills to effectively promote safety.  The third most important element was regular onsite training from the construction superintendent.  Task specific training was seen as the most important part of the onsite training.

1. Graduate Student, School of Health Sciences, Purdue University
2. Associate Professor, School of Health Sciences, Purdue University

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