A proposed training-within-industry informed human failure reduction framework for South African construction

Abstract

Errors, violations, and system failure in the form of human failure contribute to most of the accidents experienced in the construction industry. This study thus aims to develop a framework using factors of the Training-within-Industry (TWI) Job Programme to reduce human failure by improving the safety management system (SMS) on construction sites. A mixed-methods research design was used to collect qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis, whereas the quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The study’s findings revealed that the human failure reduction framework includes an implementation guideline with four steps: 1) Identify the causes of the problem; 2) Provide insight into how the factors of the TWI Job Programme will be integrated with the elements of the SMS; 3) Provide insight into how the elements of SMS will be integrated with the factors of the TWI Job Programme; 4) Provide guidelines for safety management teams on how the integrated TWI Job Programme in the elements of SMS will help to solve human failure in the industry. The human failure reduction framework could mitigate accidents and help safety management teams maintain safe and healthy work environments in the construction industry.