Safety excellence benefits individual employees as well as the organization as a whole. But as health and safety move to the top of the post-pandemic agenda, it is important to ensure it doesn’t become just another box to be ticked.
True health and safety excellence is only possible through an engaged, committed workforce at all levels.
For the region’s construction companies, safety has become a project-critical aspect since the pandemic. As a regional leader in the design-build construction of industrial and commercial facilities across the GCC, workplace safety has always been a priority for AMANA. The results of this long-time prioritization of health and safety have stood it in good stead during the lockdown and subsequent months. The company’s safety culture has translated into multiple awards and industry recognition. So how does it do it?
Leadership Support
When safety culture permeates the whole organization, every person – from the labourer on-site to the leadership teams in the C-suite – is accountable. As such, they all need to be sensitized and trained.
This has been backed up by numerous studies which recognize that focusing organizational effort to nurture a culture of involvement and participation can result in zero injuries. Rather than being just a regulatory requirement, health and safety should be the happy by-product of a collaborative process. Everyone participates and understands their role in making the workplace safer.
It is estimated that shifting 85% of traditional labour activity to a controlled manufacturing facility can bring down the rate of health and safety-related incidents by up to 70%
The proof of this collaborative approach can be seen in AMANA’s impressive record. Having clocked a record 20 million work-hours with no lost time injury (LTI) in 2020, AMANA also works to maintain its high internal and external training hour rate. It recorded a total of 51,643 total training hours that translates into 6.35 training hours per employee per year. The safety education program witnessed more than 200 managers and engineers from all levels train along with site supervisors.
A Collaborative Approach
The nature of construction makes it an industry fraught with dangers. Working at height, electrical work, falling objects, confined spaces, mechanical hazards, and moving equipment (heavy mobile equipment, tools, high pressure and hydraulic tools) all entail significant risks. Additionally, soil, air, and water contamination impact environmental safety.
At AMANA, health and safety training is built on a two-pronged strategy. First, understanding the major risk-prone areas and secondly, adopting practices to address those areas and developing guidelines to follow on a day-to-day basis.
Trainees are also taken for frequent safety management tours for a first-hand experience of the risks faced by workers so they can come up with specific solutions. Additionally, a behavioral-based safety program notes worker behavior, risk mitigation strategies and seeks feedback from workers. This 360 degree-approach exemplifies an organization-wide safety culture. Workers can convey their suggestions to top management for changes in risk-prone areas that help prevent mishaps on sites.
These initiatives have contributed tremendously in creating a better understanding of health, safety and environment (HSE) rules and regulations related to work activities, better and quick reporting of accidents, near-misses, and hazards, to line supervisors and the HSE team. Workers are more acquainted with the right tools for the right job and follow electrical safety requirements today than ever before. They participate effectively in HSE initiatives such as toolbox talks, mock drills, risk assessment communication meetings etc.
A record 20 million work-hours with no lost time injury (LTI) in 2020
AMANA’s in-house safety awards recognize and celebrate HSE achievements and excellent performance by employees, including subcontractors. Held monthly, the awards are intended to promote positive attitudes towards Health and Safety, a commitment to high standards by senior management and line supervisors, motivating employees towards proactive, safe behavior, and improving the overall HSE culture. Clearly, incentivizing and recognizing safety works.
AMANA has celebrated One Million (1,000,000) LTI Free Man-hours at projects. These safety milestone celebrations are attended by top management and Project management.
AMANA is also licensed to provide safety training on IOSH Managing Safely (UK), IOSH Working Safely (UK), IOSH Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing (UK), and the British Safety Council online training program.
The Role of Technology
Technology adoption on the region’s construction sites was accelerated by the pandemic. Newer construction technologies, such as modular construction – which involves manufacturing modules constructed off-site and put together on-site later – not only trims labour requirements by 30% and potentially reduces material waste by 30%, it also significantly improves work safety and occupational health. It is estimated that shifting 85% of traditional labour activity to a controlled manufacturing facility can bring down the rate of health and safety-related incidents by up to 70%.
This is just the beginning. The focus on building safe workplaces and the quest for innovative solutions to achieve them will continue in the future too. However, any technology is only as good as its implementation. Understanding the risks posed by ‘the human factor’ and training people on an ongoing basis goes a long way in mitigating dangers and preventing accidents before they occur.