Safety Improvement on Building Construction Sites in Qatar

Abstract

The construction industry is an essential national backbone, especially for developing countries. Poor project performance and lack of construction control could have long-reaching detrimental effects on slowing down the country's development pace and on impacting the prosperity of its citizens. The State of Qatar is currently experiencing an unprecedented rate of economic growth and urban development. As the host of the FIFA World Cup in 2022, Qatar plans to invest over $40 billion in infrastructure projects in preparation of such a significant event. The plan includes a new airport, metro system, high-speed rail, and addition of 40,000 hotel rooms. Such an explosive boom has raised concerns about the construction industry, especially regarding its health and safety problems. Qatar National Provisional Safety Committee prepared a safety guide for construction work. The aim of the guide is to ensure worker safety and mandates that contractors, owners, and consultants abide by the established safety rules. The purpose of this study is to: 1) identify safety issues in Qatari jobsites, and 2) use risk management techniques to minimize the impacts of the risk factors. The risk management process consists of risk identification, risk assessment, risk response and risk control. In risk identification, 38 safety risk factors related to Qatari building construction sites were compiled based on an extensive literature review and recommendations of safety experts. The risk assessment was addressed through safety questionnaires to rank the risk factors in order to guide the application of risk management. Safety personnel were included in the data collection. After analyzing the questionnaires, the risk factors were ranked as low, moderate, and sever based on their degree potential impact. To address the risk response, interviews with safety experts were conducted to determine mitigation measures. These measures include: 1) developing comprehensive safety plans, 2) clearly defining the role of managers, supervisors, and employees in safety implementation and 3) teaming up managers and workers to accomplish the safety objectives.