Abstract

This research study investigates the strategic implementation of health and safety (H&S) and its effect on environmental management in the UAE construction industry. For this purpose, two objectives are formulated to explore: (i) the extent to which there is a commitment to environmental management, and (ii) the extent to which environmental and H&S activities are appropriately integrated. Quantitative data were collected by a questionnaire survey from 27 respondents including contractors, consultants, clients and safety officers from the UAE construction industry. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results indicate a strong relationship between the variables. Some respondents were of the opinion that the best international H&S practice is applied in the UAE and information availability is appropriate. Many managers are committed to environmental management and the H&S of their employees, but there are some barriers and critical success factors to be addressed to assure continued improvement. There is potential for improving environmental and health and safety performance.

Highlights

  • International best practices in the management of the environment and health and safety (H&S) systems are inextricably linked together

  • The aim of this research is to investigate the influence of integrating environmental management systems (EMSs) with safe and sustainable business practices in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) construction industry

  • Many individual items in these scales ought reasonably be scoring much higher. It is a limitation of the study that the results are based on questionnaire responses; the sample size is relatively low

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Summary

Introduction

International best practices in the management of the environment and health and safety (H&S) systems are inextricably linked together. That can apply to many management systems, such as for example human resource management or quality control; in world-class companies, executives should arguably aim to become bestin-class in all spheres of business activity. There are many examples of more serious cases, such as the loss of life in the Chernobyl nuclear explosion in 1986 with 21 deaths as a direct consequence, or the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010 costing eleven lives.

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