Safety Concept, Value and Cost in Construction Projects in Jordan

Abstract

Professional safety is critical and urgent value for construction projects in Jordan. Safety should be adopted by all project parties (clients, consultants, and contractors). The use of under-specified materials or not following a plan in construction will result in safety problems and finally in unpleased accidents. The aim of this study is to test the existent aspects and rules of safety in construction projects in Jordan. It will focus on source of dangers and hot spots in construction. In addition to that the expected cost of accident and delay in project due to worker accidental leave for injury, and the cost fatality, and the loss of experienced and skilled workers will be examined. A safety questionnaire was designed and audited through consulting contractors and consultants in construction in Jordan. After that it was directed to a random sample of construction parties in Jordan. Data were collected through 160 copies of the questionnaire filled by project parties and their teams and personnel in construction projects. The response rate is 29% therefore, 46 questionnaires were received and analyzed. Responses include information about companies and projects. Furthermore, availability of safety instruments, the roles of project parties in safety, existent conditions of safety, and types and causes of accidents in construction sites were investigated. The study indicates that the construction accidents are due the break of safety rules and regulations. Others causes are missing of training programs, lack of safety coordination, lectures and improper construction conditions. Low quality of equipment used and the absence of testing by a specialized safety team in project site were seen as other causes of accidents. The results show that in 69% of cases contractors pays for safety cost, and in 68% of cases safety tools are available but not used in 44.4% of cases. Excavation is the most danger work in projects. Collapse happened in 68% of cases reported. A simple accident can result in JD520 as cost, and a worker leave of 1 week at least. Construction companies in class 2 has good safety performance (80% safety tools are available and used, 60% training program is provided), followed by 1^st class, 4^th class, and 3^rd class companies. The paper results are helpful for construction sector and construction parties are urged to give safety a high priority to avoid additional cost and delay and critical injuries, disabilities or fatalities for their workers.

Keywords: Construction safety, Safety rules, Project safety, Safety cost, Safety regulation