Understanding and defining OH&S competency for construction site positions : worker perceptions

This research sought to examine the opinions, attitudes and perceptions of construction workers on the skills, knowledge and behaviours that contribute to safety culture. Questionnaire data from workers on construction sites suggested that workers' perceptions of the primary characteristics of safety culture validated accepted precepts of safety culture found in safety culture theory, such as communication and was at variance with several safety critical leadership positions. Analysis of the 107 questionnaire responses suggested that workers saw the four most influential safety critical positions to be at construction site level and not at 'head office'. Ranked according to preference these are: Occupational Health and Safety Officers, Foremen/Supervisors, Trade Union Representatives and the workers themselves. There was no evidence in this survey of an expected level of recognition of safety critical leadership positions at executive management level. Worker perceptions of safety culture promotion included training and education, a strong knowledge of rules and regulations, good communication and interpersonal skills and behaviour and actions that enforce and monitor safety.