Analysis of the impact of health and safety coordinator on construction site accidents: The case of Spain

Abstract

The figure of the Health and Safety Coordinator (HSC), as a necessary and competent engineer in the construction sector, emerged in Spain on December 25, 1997 as a result of the implementation of European Directive 92/57/EEC. The coming of age of this figure is a sufficient period of time for determining its implementation and impact within the construction sector. The research carried out in this article arose from the analysis of statistical data obtained through Public Authorities and Professional Bodies. The quantitative study of the data extracted is complemented by the creation of specific benchmark indicators which connect four fundamental variables in the construction industry: the number of accidents, volume of workers employed, building units, and health and safety coordination posts. Furthermore, the legislation governing the HSC engineer in each of the 28 Member States of the European Union is studied. The results show a high implementation rate for the figure of the HSC, as well as a positive impact in relation to the reduced accident rate in the construction sector. Likewise, an update to the procedures of the various authorities is considered to be necessary in order to make the data concerning the actual work of the health and safety coordinators public. Finally, a review of the Spanish legislation concerning the HSC Coordinator is considered to be inevitable, in order to bring it up to the levels of professional skill and competence defined by the majority of European Union Member States.