The construction industry has greatly developed over the past decade. The employment size has doubled from 50,000 construction workers to over 111,000 when comparing to 2009. Nevertheless, we should not neglect the fatalities and accidents happened behind the flourishing industry.

Safety is always a vitally important business in construction sites especially for the general works safety issue. General works that require safety precaution involve the protection of inhalation, eyes, lighting of work places, materials storage and use of electricity. All workers are required to adopt suitable safety precautionary measures. As a member in main contractor, we have the responsibilities to educate the workers about the safety and health legislation, codes of practice, guidance notes and relevant specifications so as to ensure the workers are free from construction risks. Since general works are carried out all the time on any construction site, workers are required to pay particular attention to safety awareness during site works.

Sustainable development and effective measures to improve safety awareness are required and these rely on the active participation of various stakeholders. The “Stakeholder Model” provides a clear picture of the responsibilities and actions of different stakeholders in a construction project. Through a newly developed “Stakeholder Model” that involves the developer, designer, main contractor and subcontractor, covers the strategic, tactical, operational and behavioural aspects. We, the main contractor, set up accountability, develop systems and procedures, ensure competence, and engage frontline workers by providing safety training, proper communication and full supervision. The model specifies and provides measures on the performance of specific responsibilities of the main contractor in achieving safety measures.

Safety and health are everyone’s responsibility. A productive labour workforce is a valuable asset to the industry. Safety and health at work are to be promoted as a long-term task. After the comprehensive consultation session held by the Construction Industrial Council, different safety risk activities relating to general works can be addressed by “Stakeholder Model”. As a project manager in main contractor, we will implement safety management and incorporate safety procedures with Government, consultants and subcontractors. We all should join together and strive for success and sustainable development in safety and health.

This article is contributed by By Mr Andiry C K CHAN with the coordination of the Safety Specialist Committee.