Construction compliance ethic proposed
January 29th, 2010
Some construction managers stress legal and process compliance for reducing fatalities. A senior African Sheq consultant explains compliance ethic in Q&A with Sheqafrica.com editor Edmond Furter.
DuPont Safety Resources sub-Saharan Africa director Carlman Moyo identified non-compliant behaviour as a leading cause of construction fatalities. Moyo responded to a set of questions probing the apparent lack of compliance ethic in construction.
Q; How could employers increase compliance levels?
A; “In our experience the only way to achieve compliance is by positively enforcing it through line management, with leaders as role models for required behaviour.
“Carrots and sticks should both be present, awards or even rewards to support the required change in culture, and a transparent, fair, and firmly applied disciplinary process, aimed at correcting non-compliant behaviour.”
Q; Does reliance on supervision prove a cultural deficiency? Would training and managerial example be sufficient remedy?
A; “Training and example go a long way, but in the end there is a clear role for supervision, at first as policemen, then developing into coaching.”
Q; Should construction operators adopt a ‘zero fatalities’ motto?
A; “What is the alternative? How many fatalities would be acceptable? If there is no mindset change for a drive towards zero, the outcome would remain no different.
“Saying the word ‘zero’ is one thing, but making it happen is another. It does not stop with creating a vision, but the hard work is in day to day determination.”
“There are pockets of Sheq excellence on some local construction sites, however, the standards of safety performance are generally low compared to international standards.”
Q; If standards are too low, should legislation or the SABS raise or revise current safety standards?
A; “The main issue in construction is around behaviour and adherence to standards, not about the standards as such.”
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