Frontline safety leadership in construction projects: baseline measurement and benchmarking tools

Summary

The safety climate of a workgroup (a known predictor of H&S performance) was found to be linked to communication patterns between supervisors and workers. Thus, the workgroup is likely to have a stronger and more positive safety climate when H&S are talked about frequently in a workgroup, and when supervisors regularly interact with all group members about healthy and safe ways of working.

Supervisors’ leadership styles also differentiated groups with high, compared to low, levels of safety climate. The results were used to inform the development of a maturity model reflecting interactions in the management of H&S at the principal contractor-subcontractor interface.

Team

  • Helen Lingard    
  • David Oswald
  • Payam Pirzadeh

Partners

  • Lendlease Development Pty Ltd

Testimonial

RMIT worked collaboratively to define the scope of the research project which was completed in the agreed timeframes and to budget. RMIT representatives worked well with our site teams and effectively engaged to ensure that the research outcomes were achieved without undue impact to our operations.

Publications

Peer-reviewed paper/outputs

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.