Field Assessment of the Safety Action Evaluation Protocol: Construction Safety Climate Focus

Abstract

Frontline supervisors play a vital role in shaping the construction safety climate. Critical supervisory safety actions have been developed into the Safety Action Evaluation Protocol (SAEP) and a field assessment undertaken by frontline supervisors to evaluate its effectiveness and potential. A longitudinal field assessment was undertaken involving four stages of mixed-method inquiry to elicit both quantitative and qualitative data in a convergent design. Twelve frontline supervisors implemented the SAEP over a three-month period, embedding it into their daily work practices. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected at key stages and analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The frontline supervisors found the SAEP to be a useful and usable tool in the field that helped them prioritize and enhance safety. Allocation of suitable time to deliver the SAEP, and full organizational support and commitment, were felt to be critical for operational success. The SAEP was also considered a strong and well-balanced safety metric with potential as a safety management and monitoring tool in the future. The SAEP was evaluated as an effective tool to enhance the safety actions of frontline supervisors in the field. Future research will assess its use as a tool for safety monitoring and evaluation, completing the validation of the SAEP in the field. The SAEP is a practical safety management tool, cocreated with industry. It was found to be both useful and usable by frontline supervisors, who felt it enhanced their safety actions in the field.