Question
What is the current state of health and safety culture in the UK construction industry?
Answer
The current state of health and safety culture in the UK construction industry shows both progress and areas needing improvement. While there have been significant advancements in occupational health and safety (OHS) management systems, the industry has reached a plateau in safety statistics, indicating a need for further improvements and cultural change (Duryan et al., 2020).
Key insights include:
OHS management systems: The UK construction industry has seen a decline in workplace injuries and fatalities due to improved OHS management systems. However, there is inconsistency in OHS practices across organisations, highlighting the need for a positive safety culture and better knowledge transfer (Duryan et al., 2020).
Healthier highways initiative: In the highways sector, the “Healthier Highways” initiative has shown marked improvements in health protection culture, suggesting that strategic stakeholder engagement and sector collaboration can lead to significant cultural transformations (Perkins et al., 2024).
Impact of COVID-19: The pandemic has been identified as a catalyst for potentially transforming health, safety, and wellbeing practices in the construction industry. There is a call for a paradigm shift towards prioritising workers’ psychological and physical welfare (Sherratt and Dainty, 2022).
Challenges in OHS implementation: Despite numerous regulations, challenges such as human error, management issues, and inadequate enforcement systems persist. There is a need for updated laws and regular safety record reviews to address these challenges (Famakin, Aigbavboa and Molusiwa, 2020).
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting: Many leading UK construction companies fall short in reporting OHS objectives in their CSR reports, indicating a gap in transparency and accountability (Fotiadis et al., 2023).
AI integration: The integration of AI in construction could enhance safety but requires careful consideration of socio-legal implications and regulatory adaptations (Agapiou, 2024).
The UK construction industry has made strides in improving health and safety culture, but there are still significant challenges to overcome. Initiatives like “Healthier Highways” and the potential for AI integration offer pathways for improvement. However, consistent practices, better reporting, and a shift in focus towards worker wellbeing are essential for further progress.
References
Duryan, M., Smyth, H., Roberts, A., Rowlinson, S., & Sherratt, F., 2020. Knowledge transfer for occupational health and safety: Cultivating health and safety learning culture in construction firms.. Accident; analysis and prevention, 139, pp. 105496. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2020.105496
Perkins, S., Hirst, A., Jones, W., & Armstrong, J., 2024. 30 Healthier Highways – improving worker health protection in the highways sector. A case study from the UK’s motorway network. Annals of Work Exposures and Health. https://doi.org/10.1093/annweh/wxae035.015
Sherratt, F., & Dainty, A., 2022. The power of a pandemic: how Covid-19 should transform UK construction worker health, safety and wellbeing. Construction Management and Economics, 41, pp. 379 – 386. https://doi.org/10.1080/01446193.2022.2104890
Famakin, I., Aigbavboa, C., & Molusiwa, R., 2020. Exploring challenges to implementing health and safety regulations in a developing economy. International Journal of Construction Management, 23, pp. 89 – 97. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2020.1850201
Fotiadis, S., Evangelinos, K., Konstantakopoulou, F., & Nikolaou, I., 2023. Assessing CSR Reports of Top UK Construction Companies: The Case of Occupational Health and Safety Disclosures. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086952
Agapiou, A., 2024. A Systematic Review of the Socio-Legal Dimensions of Responsible AI and Its Role in Improving Health and Safety in Construction. Buildings. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051469
