EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS AND RISK ASSESSMENT REPORTS FOR BUILDING SERVICES INSTALLATION

: Excavating and backfilling trenches along the roadway to accommodate the installation of building services are common to the local industry. These services include electricity, water, telecommunications and data. The job hazard analysis (JHA) and risk assessment (RA) documents are typical forms prepared before the execution of these works to ensure health and safety. However, due to the hazards associated with the works, there are cost impacts which almost always affect the labour, materials and equipment resources. The main reasons for these are scope creep and the unforeseen nature of what to expect when breaking ground. This results in either the client or the contractor absorbing the additional unforeseen expenditure. The purpose of this research is to improve the efficiency of preparing and administering JHA and RA documents to help reduce unforeseen expenditures. This includes identifying and analysing all typical hazards and risks associated with labour, materials and equipment and the respective potential cost impacts. The data was collected by means of a population survey and validation of the results was achieved by means of a case study analysis of typical projects. The results revealed the main hazards associated with JHA and RA. It also identified some of the barriers to implementation such as lack of specific training, the need for more academic research, the use of more technology and for regulatory authorities to be more proactive. It was recommended that further research into this topic be done.