| Popis: |
Health and safety (H) management is imperative for construction projects owing to the high level of fatalities and accident rates experienced. However, very few studies have used mixed-method research to examine H practices that are tailored towards small and medium constructio n enterprises (SMEs) to establish whether they influenced overall H performance. A Delphi study involving 16 H experts produced a refined H conceptual model comprising five H practices and one H performance outcome which were tested on 216 construction SMEs. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that the H practices and performance were valid, reliable and acceptable variables. Structural equation modelling (SEM) produced a good-fit model. Upper management commitment and involvement in H influenced overall H performance indirectly through the mediating variables of project supervision and H resources and training. These three H practices are essential in influencing H performance at project level of construction SMEs, and are viewed as catalysts for H culture. However, to ensure that H performance by construction SMEs is improved, upper management personnel should be committed and involved in H at project level. |
