Evaluating the Effectiveness ofOccupational Health and Safety Management Systemof Construction Companies in Iraq (Al-Rasheed State Contracting Construction Companyas a case study)

Abstract

In most countries, construction work is considered to be one of the most hazardous industrial activities. It can easily be seen that there is a consistently higher rate of fatal injury in the construction sector when compared with the country's average fatal injury
rate, the occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS) can contribute to improvements in the industry’s performance. When accidents happen, the costs are high in people, profits, and productivity. One of the best ways to avoid injuries and minimize costs is through good planning and coordination both before and on the job. The objective of this research is to review the concept, definition, and benefits of safety management system by evaluating the effectiveness of occupational health and safety management system for construction companies in Iraq through field survey and developing a checklist to investigate, record, and analyze the facts of the existing safety management system of Al-Rasheed state contracting construction company. The research conclusions show that Al-Rasheed state contracting construction company isn’t aware of safety importance, top management considers safety as a luxury, has no interest in safety activities, doesn’t consider safety as an aspect for pre-qualification of contractors, lacks legislation that obliged companies to follow safety system and practicing poor safety actions. Several proper solutions were recommended to improve the existing safety management system such as developing safety policy, the role of leadership and commitment to safety, documentation of safety programs, and proper legislation to activate the role of the National Center of Health...