Idenitfying Barriers & Enablers to Improve WHS Outcomes in Australian Small Construction Businesses

Authors

Marcus Jefferies A/Prof., University of Newcastle - AustraliaFollow
Tanvi Newaz Dr, University of Newcastle - AustraliaFollow
Buddhini Ginigaddara Dr., University of Newcastle - AustraliaFollow
Temitope Egbelakin Prof., University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, AustraliaFollow
Riza Yosia Sunindijo A/Prof., The University of New South WalesFollow
Liyaning Maggie Tang Dr., University of Newcastle - AustraliaFollow

Abstract

Despite its important socio-economic contributions, the Australian construction industry has a poor WHS record. Efforts to improve WHS tend to focus on and be led by, large organisations due to the resources that they have and their ability to capitalise on the economies of scale in their operation. However, it is important to realise that 97% of construction organisations are small businesses, employing fewer than 20 people and their WHS outcomes are worse than the WHS outcomes in large organisations. They are also hard to reach through conventional communication strategies. This indicates that current WHS best practice initiatives are not being well translated and followed by small construction businesses, and subsequently that they need further pathways to develop their capability to improve WHS. This research reveals the barriers to improving the WHS in small construction businesses and presents a critical literature analysis emphasising the development of a WHS maturity framework specifically for Australian small construction businesses. This paper is part of a broader research project that, following this integrative review, will create a maturity model via primary data collected from practitioners, WHS representatives, workers, and owners of small businesses. This model will then be trialled with five micro and small businesses, and an industry toolkit will be developed to promote a step-by-step process to improve safety practices.

The paper will be presented:

In-person

Primary U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

Good Health and Well-being - - Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Secondary U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

Quality Education - - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Primary CIB Task Group OR Working commission

W099 – Safety Health & Wellbeing in Construction

Secondary CIB Task Group OR Working commission

W099 – Safety Health & Wellbeing in Construction

Recommended Citation

Jefferies, Marcus A/Prof.; Newaz, Tanvi Dr; Ginigaddara, Buddhini Dr.; Egbelakin, Temitope Prof.; Sunindijo, Riza Yosia A/Prof.; and Tang, Liyaning Maggie Dr. (2025) "Idenitfying Barriers & Enablers to Improve WHS Outcomes in Australian Small Construction Businesses," CIB Conferences: Vol. 1 Article 69.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7771/3067-4883.2089