A critical analysis of the factors affecting health & safety performance in the Maltese construction industry

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the factors that affect the Health and Safety performance of the Maltese Construction Industry through an interpretive study of the perceptions and experience of the participants of this research. The research analysis delves into the characteristic attitudes and behaviours and the existing safety culture in the industry. It explores the local safety climate, the legal obligations, and the typical Safety Management Systems that are prevalent within local construction sites. The resultant study should also contribute to research also as a critical analysis of the organisational structural set-ups and the management processes used by the contractors as organisations in the industry to manage Occupational Health and Safety. The relevant data has been collated and analysed against known schools of thought, with reference to theories and studies conducted in other countries. The objective for this cross comparison analysis is to confirm any common factors and identify any specific characteristics or issues that prevail within the local construction industry. The research takes into consideration that a variety of standards exists on Maltese construction sites, and rather than attempt to generalise findings, acknowledges the multiple realities. Overall, it transpired that the safety climate in the industry fails to sufficiently reinforce safe-behaviour. This was found to be related to the size of Lile contractor, as the evident findings substantiate in similarity to findings in other countries. The results reveal that notwithstanding the adequate legislation, the smaller contractors as well as the self-employed, have weak Safety Management Systems and are not making it to best practice exclusively through self-regulation. These contractors need to be supported by the authorities for further training and education. The study also confirms that the safety culture on our construction sites demands perseverant attention, as wrong attitudes to risks were perceived by different participants, in the various stratified roles they represent. Finally, the general conclusions from the study were extruded. In some cases, appropriate recommendations were made to address resulting issues, while other issues that require further investigation were identified.