Abstract
Given the particular characteristics of the construction sector, its rate of accidents and contracted illnesses is high. Therefore, construction companies seek to protect the health of their workers through the design and implementation of occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS). This paper presents the results of a study that aimed to perform a comprehensive diagnosis of the implementation of the requirements of the Colombian Technical Standard (Norma Tecnica Colombiana, NTC-OHSAS 18001) in Colombian construction companies through a SWOT analysis. A survey of 25 questions to industry professionals in 5 capital cities was used for data collection. The survey was conducted in two ways: virtually with the help of the Google Docs platform and directly through written forms. A total of 209 questionnaires with valid answers were received. The findings show that a lack of commitment and a lack of knowledge about safety are the main weaknesses. On the other hand, the existence of occupational health and safety (OHS) staff and the promotion of OHS by Occupational Risk Administrators (ORA) are the main strengths. From this data, alternatives for improving OHS are proposed, such as greater investment in builders, increasing organizational culture, and adequate monitoring by the State
Highlights
Construction is one of sectors that presents the highest rates of accidents in the world
The aim of this study is to analyse how companies comply with the requirements considered in the NTC-Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS) 18001 standard, which provides the guidelines for the implementation of the occupational health and safety (OHS) management system in Colombia
The descriptive exploratory study was carried out via a survey of construction professionals, using a closed form with four possible answers: Yes, No, In Process, and Do Not Know or No Answer (DNK/NA), and the 25 questions were grouped into the following themes: knowledge, planning, implementation, monitoring and control; following the phases of the Deming Cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act [PDCA]), which allowed an ordered evaluation of techniques and management systems in OHS employed during the production process in different areas and levels of the company
Summary
Construction is one of sectors that presents the highest rates of accidents in the world. A preliminary report from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (2013) states that 775 fatal accidents occurred in the construction sector within the United States in 2012, representing a rate of 9.5 such accidents per 100,000 workers. In Great Britain in the same period there were 39 fatal accidents as reported by Health and Safety Executive (2013), which is equivalent to a rate of 1.9 fatalities per 100,000 workers. In Colombia, there are few statistics relating to occupational accidents in construction. According to the latest data available from the Colombian Federation of Insurers (Federación de Aseguradores Colombianos [FASECOLDA], n.d.) 55 fatal accidents occurred in 2011; a rate of 6.8 deaths per 100,000 workers. Apart from the physical and psychological consequences that arise for the worker, his family, and society (Cormack, Cross and Whittington, 2006; Dumrak et al, 2013; Santana, Fernandes de Souza and Pinto, 2013; Frickmann et al, 2012), different
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