The research in this dissertation was completed by the candidate while based in the Discipline of Construction Studies, School of Engineering of the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, South Africa. The contents of this work have not been submitted in any form to any other university and, except where the work of others is acknowledged in the text, the results reported are the result of research by the candidate.
PLAGIARISM
PUBLICATIONS
The investigation found that many of the construction H&S cost requirements as extrapolated from the legislation were not being tracked. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that the H&S framework has requirements that entail costs.
INTRODUCTION
- Introduction
- Problem Statement
- Objectives
- Methodology
- Limitations and delimitations
- Assumptions
- Ethical Considerations
- Significance of the Study
- Structure of the Study
To determine the extent to which the implementation of the H&S framework increases the cost of construction; and. The study focuses only on the impact of the implementation of the H&S regulatory framework by the contractor.
LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS
- Introduction
- Regulatory Framework Defined
- Features of Regulatory Frameworks
- Construction H&S Legislative Frameworks
- Chapter Summary
In addition to CDM, there were two other important laws in Britain, the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (Beal, 2007). The countries in the European Union were allowed to incorporate the provisions of Directive 92/57/EEC into their national legislative frameworks.
H&S FRAMEWORK IN SOUTH AFRICA
Introduction
The South African H&S Regulatory Framework
- Constitution
- Acts
- Cost implications of the OHS Act
- Regulations
- Cost implications of the Construction Regulations 2014
Certain aspects of the OH&S Act may have implications for construction costs when implemented. Further duties of the employer in terms of the H&E Act are to inform the H&E representative(s) of the occurrence of an incident in the workplace as well as to inform the H&E representative(s) of inspections, investigations or formal inquiries such as by an inspector (OH&S Act clause 13).
Elements of H&S Cost
- Cost Consideration of the H&S Regulatory Framework by Stakeholders
- Contractors
- Legislators
- Classification of Costs
- Direct costs
- Indirect costs
- Computation of Costs
The cost side of the analysis is less controversial but still fraught with uncertainty (McGarity and Ruttenberg, 2002). There is very little empirical analysis of the actual costs incurred by the regulated in complying with particular rules (McGarity and Ruttenberg, 2002). The South African regulatory framework for construction H&S only addresses the direct costs, which are the costs of compliance with the requirements and requirements of the framework as shown in Tables 3.1 and 3.2.
By including these costs in the overall project budget and including them in the project specifications, they are eliminated from the competition.
Commentary from other Research on Issues of Implementation and Costs
According to Windapo (2013), the probability of an accident occurring, which is a component of the degree of risk, is significantly and positively correlated with the cost of compliance and the perceived cost savings of complying with OHSA regulatory requirements. Cost savings are positively related to the probability of an accident, which is part of the degree of risk. Contractors' decision to comply with H&S legal requirements is influenced by the perceived cost savings due to compliance, and that cost savings is influenced by the probability of accidents, which is part of the level of risk that the regulation is trying to prevent. or control.
Compulsory production of H&S file by the main contractor, which is handed over to the client after the completion of the facility.
Chapter Summary
Bird and Germain (1996) believe that many modern managers view disaster prevention as an investment – one with significant returns, both human and economic. 1990, cited in Feng, 2013) pointed out that an investor is likely to voluntarily make investments when preventive activities are perceived as sufficiently profitable.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
- Introduction
- The Research Process
- Research Approach
- The Survey Approach
- The Case Study Approach
- Triangulation
- Population and Sample
- Reliability and Validity
- Data Analysis
- Chapter Summary
According to Naoum (2006), the role of quantitative research is to establish facts based on evidence or records, and the nature of data is robust and reliable. After completing the research and sampling design, the next step in the process is data collection (Frazer and Lawley, 2000). Rating scales, Likert scales and ranking were used in the development, design and construction of the questionnaire.
Interviews are one of the most important sources of case study information and are usually associated with the research approach (Ibid).
CONTRACTOR SURVEY ANALYSIS
Introduction
Sample Profile / Demographics
Reliability
Interpretation of Scales
The range interpretations shown in Table 5.2 are used throughout the analysis, using 5-point scales.
Knowledge of Legislative Framework
It is likely that they would not know or understand the extent of the requirements they would have to meet.
Impact of Legislative Framework
Frequency of Consideration of Legislative Framework
Perceptions of Costing and Financial Provision for H&S
The majority (80%) of respondents agreed that an interim amount should be provided for H&S in the Preliminary (mean = 4.17). Additionally, 50% of respondents agreed that contract documents enabling financial assurance for H&S promoted H&S (mean = 3.73). It should be noted that 13% of respondents were unsure whether standard contract documentation generally made cursory reference to H&S.
The majority of respondents agreed that the implementation of the Building Regulations had resulted in a positive change in performance in terms of H&S track record (mean = 4.07).
Importance of Project Parameters
A minority (10%) of respondents were unsure whether the implementation of the Construction Regulations had resulted in a positive change in performance in relation to their H&S records. Respondents were requested to provide information on whether their organization calculated the percentage of H&S in their tender cost estimates and project costs. From Table 5.7 it is clear that only 17.2% and 20.7% of construction organizations have calculated the contribution of H&S to their tender cost estimates and project costs respectively.
This finding is indicative of the industry's lack of knowledge of the necessary financial provisions for effective construction safety and health management on their projects, as well as the need to monitor these costs.
Pricing for Construction H&S Requirements
- Staffing
- Training
- Policies, Programs and Promotion
- Equipment
- Project
The rest of the respondents did not allocate the cost of H&S signage to the cost of the project. More than half of respondents have set prices for demolition plans (59%), notice of construction works (59%), Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) management (59%) and Management Plans of Waste (WMP) (57%). Less than three-quarters (73%) of respondents allocated the cost of H&S specifications and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) to project cost estimates.
Less than half of respondents shared the cost of environmental management plan (EMP) (48%), material safety data sheet (MSDS) management (47%), waste management plan.
Pricing for Construction Activities
The rest of the respondents were unsure about where the costs were allocated in the project costs. However, the majority of the respondents were not aware of any additional measures introduced/considered which affected their pricing strategy/approach for the following construction activities viz. Less than half of the respondents indicated that additional measures were introduced/considered for the following construction activities namely.
More than half (59%) of respondents were not aware of any additional measures introduced/considered for cast-in-situ reinforced concrete slabs that affected their prices.
Construction Cost Increase
Those respondents who were aware of any additional measures introduced/considered for in-situ cast reinforced concrete slabs that affected their pricing strategy/approach indicated that the measures affected costs from 0% to 100% with a median of 5% impact . The rest of the respondents were unsure whether additional measures have been introduced/considered which have influenced their pricing strategy/approach since the promulgation of the Construction Regulations 2003 and the Construction Regulations 2014. It should be noted that for the construction activities crane erection and steel construction, 20% and 15% of respondents respectively unsure of any additional measures introduced/considered affecting their pricing strategy/approach since the promulgation of the Construction Regulations 2003 and Construction Regulations 2014.
Chapter Summary
CASE STUDIES
Introduction
Case Study No. 1
- Company Profile
- Company Knowledge of Construction H&S Legislative Framework
- Project Profile
- Pricing and Cost Allocation of Construction H&S Requirements
- Additional Measures Introduced since the Promulgation of the Construction
- H&S Statements
- Summary
In Table 6.3, the organization was asked to indicate the extent to which they agree with the following statements, where 1 = strongly disagree and 5 = strongly agree. The implementation of building regulations has resulted in a positive change in performance in relation to occupational safety and health. The organization further considered that the H&S specifications were very vague in relation to the 'design and build' method statements and that as a result construction costs could increase during the course of the project.
The organization believed that the overall cost of construction increased by >0% - ≤10% as a result of complying with the requirements of the construction H&S legislative framework.
Case Study No. 2
- Company Profile
- Company Knowledge of Construction H&S Legislative Framework
- Project Profile
- Pricing and Cost Allocation of Construction H&S Requirements
- Additional Measures Introduced since the Promulgation of the Construction
- H&S Statements
- Summary
The percentages shown in Table 6.4 were at tender stage and did not include the costs of H&S subcontractors. The organization stated that when subcontracted H&S costs were added, the total H&S costs were approximately 0.56%. The organization further stated that they sought reimbursement of training costs through skill development.
The organization further stated that there was inconsistency regarding the interpretation of the implementation of legislation that tended to impact costs related to H&S.
Case Study No. 3
- Company Profile
- Company Knowledge of Construction H&S Legislative Framework
- Project Profile
- Pricing and Cost Allocation of Construction H&S Requirements
- Additional Measures Introduced since the Promulgation of the Construction
- H&S Statements
- Summary
The organization considered that H&S should be treated as a trade in the tender documents as the H&S legislative requirements have a clear cost impact on the overall project. In Table 6.9, the organization was asked to indicate the extent to which they agree with the following statements, where 1 = strongly disagree and 5 = strongly agree. The organization considered that health and safety requirements could be measured and therefore should not be included as a provisional sum in preliminary assessments.
The organization has incurred costs in relation to H&S staff required to register with the South African Council for Construction and Project Management Professionals (SACPCMP).
Chapter Summary
Due to the changing nature of the oil and gas industry in terms of material handling, permitting is a very important aspect of construction in this industry, as permits reflect all important and required information related to the construction of facilities. At the end of each project, a project post-mortem is conducted to collect historical data, including cost data, to enable the organization to improve the next project.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- Introduction
- The Problem Statement
- The Hypotheses of the Study
- The Research Objectives
- Hypotheses Testing
- Hypothesis One
- Hypothesis Two
- Hypothesis Three
- Recommendations
- Recommendations for Future Study
- Conclusion
Second hypothesis: Contractors are not aware of the extent of H&S provisions in their tenders/projects. Occupational health and safety in mining – status, new developments and concerns, The Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Kartam, N.A., Flood, I. The study includes the impact of the regulatory framework for construction health and safety on the costs of construction.
Sustainability in the construction industry will be improved through understanding and knowledge of the implementation costs of the H&S framework.
