HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002

ATTITUDES OF CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS TO THE PERFORMANCE APPROACH TO CONSTRUCTION WORKER SAFETY Dr. Theo C Haupt Peninsula Technikon, South Africa

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 OVERVIEW Problem Statement Objective Defining the performance approach Top Management Survey Conclusion

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 PROBLEM STATEMENT Accidents occur on construction sites at unacceptably high rates. Safety and health legislation evolved that –promoted contractors’ sole responsibility for safety, –ignored the uniqueness of each project process and design, and –enforced strict compliance with punitive fines.

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 OBJECTIVE Measure level of knowledge of top management of construction firms about the performance approach and their attitude towards its implementation within their organizations

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 DEFINING THE PERFORMANCE APPROACH The identification of important broadly- defined goals, ends or targets (user requirements) that must result from applying a safety standard, regulation or rule without setting out the specific technical requirements or methods for doing so

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 EXAMPLE OF PERFORMANCE STANDARD 11. Demolition work Where the demolition of a building or construction may present a danger: (a)appropriate precautions, methods and procedures must be adopted; (b)the work must be planned and undertaken only under the supervision of a competent person Council Directive 92/57/EEC

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 EXAMPLE OF PRESCRIPTIVE STANDARD Employee entrances to multistory structures being demolished shall be completely protected by sidewalk sheds or canopies, or both, providing protection from the face of the building for a minimum of 8 feet. All such canopies shall be at least 2 feet wider than the building entrances or openings (1 foot wider on each side thereof), and shall be capable of sustaining a load of 150 pounds per square foot OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart T 850(k)

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 EXAMPLE OF PERFORMANCE STANDARD 6.Scaffolding and ladders 6.1All scaffolding must be properly designed, constructed and maintained to ensure that it does not collapse or move accidentally. 6.2Work platforms, gangways and scaffolding stairways must be constructed, dimensioned, protected and used in such a way as to prevent people from falling or exposed to falling objects. Council Directive 92/57/EEC

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 EXAMPLE OF PRESCRIPTIVE STANDARD (b)(1)(ii) … the platform shall be planked or decked as fully as possible and the remaining open space between the platform and the uprights shall not exceed 9 1/2 inches (24.1 cm). (b)(2) … each scaffold platform and walkway shall be at least 18 inches (46 cm) wide. (b)(5)(i) Each end of a platform 10 feet or less in length shall not extend over its support more than 12 inches (30 cm) unless … (b)(5)(ii) Each platform greater than 10 feet in length shall not extend over its support more than 18 inches (46 cm), … (b)(7)... where platforms are overlapped to create a long platform, the overlap shall occur only over supports, and shall not be less than 12 inches (30 cm)... OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L 451 Scaffolding

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 COMPARISON PRESCRIPTIVE Describes means Standardize work process Difficult to amend Aesthetic issues easier Reactive in nature Exclusiveness Limited flexibility Easier to comply PERFORMANCE Describes ends Unique work process Infrequent need to amend Aesthetic issues difficult Proactive in nature Inclusiveness Flexible Difficult to comply

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 COMPARISON PRESCRIPTIVE Restricts innovation Difficult to introduce new materials and technology Restricts international trade (country-specific) Protects local industry PERFORMANCE Encourages innovation Easy introduction of new materials and technology Improves international trade Threat to developing countries

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 TOP MANAGEMENT SURVEY

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 JOB TITLES Median length that positions were held : 5 years

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES Median number of employees: 175

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 ANNUAL VALUE OF CONTRACTS Median annual value: $61m

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 CONTRACTING ARRANGEMENTS

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 AREA OF OPERATION

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 APPROACH PREFERENCE 78.5% understood concepts very well Prescriptive42.4% Performance57.6%

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 REASONS FOR PREFERENCE PRESCRIPTIVE More definitive and compliance measured objectively (59.3%) Workers need specific instructions to avoid shortcuts (22.2%) PERFORMANCE Differing conditions require differing approaches (23.7%) Changes allowed due to site conditions (7.9%) Provides flexibility (42.1%) Choice vests in contractor (7.9%)

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 ISSUES MOST INFLUENCED BY PERFORMANCE APPROACH Flexibility Support for innovation Ease of introduction of new materials

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 IMPORTANCE OF ISSUES TO SAFETY MANAGEMENT Potential to improve safety performance on sites Ease of understanding compliance requirements Ease of implementation of approach Injury rate less than or equal to 2: 29.3%

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 MAJOR CHANGE SPONSORS

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 ISSUES MOST INFLUENTIAL IN DRIVING CHANGE Improvement of financial performance Improvement of safety record Generation of quality improvements 88.9% had observed introduction of major changes in their firms

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 ISSUES FOR IMPLEMENTING A NEW APPROACH Support of top management Open communication Mutual trust between management and workers

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 ISSUES AFFECTING WORKER PARTICIPATION Receptiveness of first-line supervisors and foremen Building credibility and trust among workers Enlisting opinions of workers

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 ACTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING PERFORMANCE APPROACH Demonstration of consistent and decisive leadership Introduction and support of appropriate training programs Allocation of adequate financial, equipment and staff resources

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 CONCLUSION In a largely prescriptive legislative environment such as exists in the USA, the performance approach is appealing to most contractors who would support its introduction and implementation

HONG KONG, 7-10 MAY 2002 QUESTIONS?