Investigation of health and safety training requirements for large scale construction projects in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Construction industry is one of the most significant industries which makes a considerable contribution to the GDP. Currently a large number of employees are working in this industry and a number of fatal accidents taken place every year. Therefore construction is one of most hazardous industries in the country and more attention needs to be given to improve health and safety in this industry. Also, a lot of accidents taken place in construction projects are not reported. In the construction projects, enough competent safety professionals are not available to ensure the safe working environment. In Sri Lankan context people’s attitudes on health and safety is not in the satisfactory level and, to change the attitudes of the people a lot of improvements need to be made providing necessary training emphasizing the importance of the health and safety. This research focuses on the adequacy of health and safety training in large scale construction projects in Sri Lanka. The research followed a mixed method approach. A questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews were used to gather the data. The questionnaire data was analyzed using statistical tools and manual content analysis was used to analyze interview data. The research revealed that training on health and safety conducted in large scale construction projects is not enough to meet the required level to maintain an accident free working environment. The different types of trainings such as first aid, work at height, fire, etc. are needed to be conducted to minimize the accidents generating in these projects. The research further revealed that to minimize this adverse environment, more attention needs to be paid and to do it successfully, enough budgets should be allocated.