Managing Construction Safety Using Conceptual Skill

Despite its economic and social significance, the construction industry is notorious for being unsafe in its on-site practices. Recent research indicates the necessity to focus on the human aspects of safety to improve construction safety performance. The aim of the research is to investigate the role of project personnel's conceptual skill as an important human factor in managing construction safety. A conceptual skill questionnaire was developed to achieve the research aim. Data were collected through an online survey from three large construction organisations headquartered in Australia. In total, 273 valid responses were received and analysed using the structural equation modelling method. The results show that the project personnel's conceptual skill construct consists of visioning, and scoping and integration components. The results further show that conceptual skill influences the implementation of safety management tasks, which promotes the development of an appropriate safety climate. The outcome of this research suggests that construction project personnel, in developing their conceptual skill, should first improve the visioning component and follow this up with the scoping and integration component. The implication of this research is that construction organisations should recognise the role of conceptual skill in the management of construction safety, provide training for project personnel to improve their conceptual skills, and include safety management tasks as part of their project personnel's responsibilities.