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CIB Conferences

Abstract

Peaking Power Stations (PPSs) are required to undertake maintenance known as ‘outages’, on a regular basis. Injuries occur during general maintenance and outage activities. Such injuries in turn result in managers at PPSs perceiving health and safety (H&S) management as ineffective. The effectiveness of H&S management systems, particularly accident and incident reporting mechanisms, is critical for enhancing H&S performance in high-risk sectors such as power generation. Poor H&S performance could further result in lower production, higher insurance costs, and a detrimental financial impact on the economy, forcing workers to retire early with persistent disabilities. The aim of the study reported in this paper was to evolve a framework of interventions to prevent accidents, fatalities, incidents, and near misses in PPSs. The objectives were to: establish how the implementation of an H&S management system focusing on procurement of contractors contributes to the reduction of incidents; assess the importance of risk assessments and training in a H&S management system and determine whether the contractor’s previous H&S performance will assist in improving H&S performance during maintenance and outage activities. The study adopted a quantitative approach, using an online survey technique to gather data from employees and contractors across PPSs. The survey was divided into five sections, allowing for cross-sectional exploration of each objective, using questionnaires at one specific period. Key findings suggest that PPSs evaluation of contractors for future employment during procurement processes is not influenced by their past H&S performance, and the prequalification phase does not consider historical H&S issues, including fines. Furthermore, the importance of proactive hazard identification and risk assessment (HIRA) in mitigating workplace accidents is supported and emphasises the need for employee training to enhance H&S awareness, and the role of insufficient H&S training in accidents. Conclusions include: the incorporation of H&S into procurement processes, including the evaluation of contractor H&S is essential for enhancing overall construction H&S performance; client leadership is critical in terms of construction H&S, and HIRA preceded by related training, is imperative. It is recommended to incorporate explicit H&S performance targets within contractual agreements, including provision for penalties or termination in instances of H&S non-compliance and to utilise digital tools to enhance the efficiency of HIRA, track incidents, and oversee adherence to H&S protocols.

Keywords

Construction, Health and Safety, Maintenance, Power stations

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