Construction Risk Management: A Guide for Safety

Posted on Sep 15, 2024 in Social sciences

Introduction

This analysis focuses on identifying, analyzing, and evaluating various risks that may affect construction company employees. It also aims to develop a guide to help prevent these risks, minimizing them and allowing senior management better control over the construction process to maintain profits and reduce extra costs during the construction phase. Examples of techniques to assist in construction project risk assessment are provided.

Background

Humans have always faced the challenge of protecting themselves from environmental adversities and dangers. Before the Industrial Revolution, product manufacturing primarily relied on teachers and skilled workers with expertise in techniques and working conditions. However, the introduction of steam power as a driving force brought together large numbers of workers without much concern for their training, background, or experience, exposing them to new and unfamiliar risks.

First Legislative Action

The Workers’ Compensation Law, issued on May 11, 1911, and the Labour Code regulations addressed industrial safety.

Problem

Many accidents still occur today because construction companies do not implement existing safety standards. Before an accident happens, it’s crucial to consider that it could have been avoided. Prevention is vital to avoid injuries or even fatalities among construction personnel.

General Objectives

4.1

  • Develop a manual for risk control and prevention that can be useful for the construction industry.

4.2 Specifications

  1. Help improve the health of workers in the construction industry by providing information about common occupational diseases in this type of work, as well as preventive measures.
  2. Identify, analyze, and evaluate the various risks that may affect a general construction company.
  3. Help reduce accidents caused by the lack of implementation of safety standards in construction.
  4. Maintain profits and reduce additional costs that arise in the construction phase.

Scope

  1. Data will be obtained about the types of accidents that occur most frequently in the construction industry, as well as the causes that generate them, to propose measures to reduce or eliminate them.
  2. Interviews will be conducted with businesses to learn about the types of accidents that occur more frequently and the risks involved in construction activities.
  3. The assessed risks in the projects are of three types: physical, technical, and consequential.

Study Limitations and Delimitations

  1. Poor manual application in construction companies.
  2. Low interest of construction companies.
  3. Lack of familiarity with the application of standards in the construction industry.

Research Methodology

Stage 1: Research Problem Formulation

This stage involves selecting the research topic.

Stage 2: Exploratory Phase

This phase involves preparing the framework that shapes the research. This phase will cover all the theoretical aspects necessary for a true understanding of the subject.

Stage 3: Design of the Investigation

1) Definition of Type of Study

The research will be exploratory.

2) Hypothesis Formulation

“Using the manual, construction companies [will experience improvements].”

Stage 4: Process Methodology

1) Identify the Types of Risks in Construction

  • Physical/Materials
  • Technical
  • Consequential

2) Identify the Sources of Risk

Identify the main causes of construction accidents to determine how to prevent them.

3) Risk Measurement

The result is usually measured in monetary terms (the cost of putting things in order) but can also be measured in terms of time delays or the severity of an accident (serious injury or death).

4) Risk Management

This step will determine the best way for construction companies to maintain proper control of risks and thus be able to prevent them.

Resource Planning

Personal Resources

  • Coordinator (supplied by UES)
  • Consultant (assigned by collaborating institution)
  • Team from a construction company (partner)

Technological Resources

  • Internet
  • Software
  • Computer
  • Printer
  • Fax
  • Phone

Conclusions

At the end of this research, it can be concluded that the project is feasible as there is a need to expand on the subject to help reduce accidents in the construction industry. The project has most of the resources needed for completion. It is equipped with the necessary funds, though it aims to obtain additional funds from partner institutions.

Recommendations

  1. Conduct a thorough analysis of the subject to be investigated.
  2. Perform the necessary literature search.
  3. Use the legally established rules in El Salvador.
  4. Compare Salvadoran legislation with international standards.

SWOT Matrix

FactorsInternalExternal
Strengths
  1. Knowledge on the subject.
  2. Access to library materials.
  3. Training based on curricula related to the subject.
Opportunities
  1. Ability to create new knowledge and reduce accident rates.
  2. Ability to instruct.
  3. Strengthening of national research.
Weaknesses
  1. Poor knowledge of the subject in El Salvador.
  2. Poor implementation in practice.
  3. Unavailability of companies.
  4. Lack of institutional support.
Threats
  1. Request for new tools that are not available in the country.
  2. Project is not approved.
  3. Lack of institutional support.

Strategies (Strengths-Opportunities)

Develop a manual for risk control and prevention that can be useful in construction.

Strategies (Strengths-Threats)

Build strategic alliances with builders to create a technical and accurate document.

Strategies (Weaknesses-Opportunities)

Obtain support from institutions such as ASIA or other entities to conduct the research.

Mission

To identify, analyze, and assess the various risks that may affect employees of a construction company to minimize them, achieve better control of construction processes, and maintain their health.

Vision

To contribute to generating new knowledge to enhance safety in civil construction.