 Introduction (Part 1)
The construction industry is a significant contributor to the global economy, providing essential infrastructure and employment opportunities (Loosemore & NAME_1, 2007). However, it is also characterized by high levels of risk, with numerous health and safety hazards that can lead to accidents, injuries, and fatalities (NAME_2, 2011). Ensuring the health and safety of workers is a critical aspect of the construction industry, and it is essential to implement effective risk management systems to minimize these hazards (NAME_3 & NAME_4, 2016).
The United Kingdom and Sri Lanka are two countries with thriving construction industries, each with its unique set of challenges and opportunities. The UK has a well-established construction sector with stringent health and safety regulations, which have contributed to a significant reduction in accidents and fatalities over the past few decades (HSE, 2020). In contrast, Sri Lanka's construction industry is rapidly growing, with increasing demand for infrastructure development and a need to assess and improve its health and safety practices (NAME_5 & NAME_6, 2015).
This dissertation aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the health and safety practices in the Sri Lankan construction industry, in comparison to those in the UK's construction industry, with the goal of identifying areas for improvement. The study is guided by four main objectives: (1) recognizing potential risks related to health and safety within the construction industries of Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom, (2) assessing factors that impact the management of health and safety risks in these industries, (3) comparing and analysing significant factors involved in health and safety risk management practices in both countries, and (4) providing recommendations to construction industry practitioners on how to implement effective risk management systems.
To address these objectives, the study will pose four research questions: (1) What are the potential health and safety risks present in the construction industries of Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom? (2) What are the factors that pose a risk to health and safety in these industries? (3) What are the significant factors involved in health and safety risk management practices in these industries? (4) What recommendations can be made to construction industry practitioners to effectively implement risk management systems to improve health and safety practices in the industry?
The importance of understanding and addressing health an