1 AIT Asian Institute of Technology

Assessing safety management practices in the Bhutanese construction industry

AuthorDorji, Kin
Call NumberAIT Thesis no.CM-05-6
Subject(s)Construction industry--Bhutan--Safety measures
NoteA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology
PublisherAsian Institute of Technology
AbstractThe construction field is considered one of the most hazardous industrial fields wherein the construction workers are more prone to accidents resulting in loss of lives and injuries. Studies have shown that these accidents in turn can have devastating effect on the construction industry both financially and in terms of humanitarian aspects. To this effect especially in the developed regions like UK and USA there are stricter legal enforcements to regulate safety and health in construction, and also implementation of safety management systems designed to minimize or eliminate accidents at work places. On the contrary, the occupational safety and health in construction is very poor in the developing regions like Bhutan where construction industry has a major share in the national economy. This study evaluates the prevalent safety management practices and safety regulations, identifies factors affecting them, and also develops a sample database on the safety management practices in the construction industry in Bhutan. The study has been conducted on 40 sample construction companies and 14 officials in the government regulatory organizations relevant to construction industry in Bhutan by way of questionnaire surveys, interviews and discussions. There are many problems confronting the occupational safety and health in the construction industry in Bhutan. It was observed that some of the major gaps were: i) lack of safety regulations and standards, ii) low priority of safety, iii) lack of data on safety on construction sites, iv) lack of competent manpower, v) lack of safety and health training, vi) lack of safety promotion, and vii) lack of documented and organized safety management systems. Furthermore, the study also proposes some recommendations for safe construction in Bhutan.
Year2005
TypeThesis
SchoolSchool of Engineering and Technology (SET)
DepartmentDepartment of Civil and Infrastucture Engineering (DCIE)
Academic Program/FoSConstruction Engineering and Infrastructure Management (CM)
Chairperson(s)Hadikusumo, B.H.W.
Examination Committee(s)Chotchai Charoenngam;Hanoaka, Shinya
Scholarship Donor(s)Government of Austria
DegreeThesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2005


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