Development of Safety Culture in the Construction Industry: The Leadership Roles

The construction industry is unique among industries. The activities of construction often take place outdoor under conditions not condusive for safety and health. Workers in the construction sites have to face constant change in the nature of work, the location of work and the mix of workers. The nature of construction work is inherently dangerous and injuries are more likely to occur compared to other sectors. Most of accidents show that the construction industry is unique, involved with human behaviour, different construction sites, the difficulties of works, unsafe safety culture, dangerous machinery and equipment, and involved with many procedures. An efficient safety management system, ought to be based on the safety awareness that become a culture in the construction industry where involving all the parties. Leadership is an essential part of the process of management and it is also an integral part of the social structure and culture of the organization. If the manager is to be successful in dealing with people and influencing their behaviour and actions, this requires a leadership style which helps to foster a supportive organizational culture - a type of leadership that goes beyond profitability. The combination of objectives and resultant strategies will influence culture, and may itself be influenced be culture. This paper will discuss the conceptual framework of the development of safety culture in the construction industry through leadership roles

Keywords:

construction industry , leadership , safety , safety culture