Improving Health and Safety in the Sri Lankan Construction Industry: An HRM Perspective

A crucial part of the all-encompassing and strategic plan required to enhance health and safety in Sri Lanka's construction industry is human resource management (HRM). Construction is remains one of the highest-risk industries in the country, therefore a shift toward proactive safety management is required to reduce ongoing accident and injury rates (NIOSH Sri Lanka, 2021). Through HRM-driven initiatives like competency-based hiring, methodical training, and open communication, organizations may establish a strong, people-centered safety culture that puts prevention above reaction (ILO, 2020). HRM also supports worker well-being by implementing health screenings, mental health support programs, and physical fitness activities, acknowledging that a healthy workforce is more productive and less likely to have workplace accidents (Harvey et al., 2017; WHO, 2021). Safety procedures are kept efficient, compliant, and adaptable to changing industry conditions through ongoing monitori...

Strengthening health and safety management in Sri Lanka's construction sector, where uneven safety implementation and inadequate oversight continue to be significant obstacles, requires effective monitoring and evaluation. In order to guarantee that safety measures continue to be effective over time, HRM is crucial in setting up systematic processes including frequent safety audits, risk assessments, compliance checklists, and performance reviews. Continuous evaluation of workplace hazards and safety compliance is essential for lowering accidents, especially in high-risk industries like construction, according to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Sri Lanka (2021). Organizations can guide evidence-based improvements in training and policy enforcement by identifying risky behaviors, recurrent risks, and gaps in the use of protective equipment through regular monitoring. Effective safety evaluation systems enable firms to create a cycle of continuous improvem...

Health and wellness programs are crucial elements that go beyond conventional physical safety precautions within the larger goal of enhancing health and safety in Sri Lanka's construction sector from an HRM perspective. In Sri Lanka, construction work is physically taxing and frequently carried out amid severe weather, long workdays, and high production demands, all of which can have a detrimental effect on one's physical and mental health. In order to support employees holistically, HRM may play a transforming role by putting in place structured wellness programs, such as mental health awareness training, stress-management workshops, fatigue monitoring, nutrition advice, and access to occupational health services. Workplace wellness programs dramatically lower absenteeism, increase focus, and improve overall safety performance, according to international research (Cooper & Cartwright, 2023). Studies conducted in Sri Lanka have shown that construction workers' worrie...

One-time safety orientation is insufficient in the face of changing project risks, legislation, and developing technology, therefore ongoing training and development are essential to maintaining a resilient health and safety culture in Sri Lanka's construction sector. Therefore, regular, planned training that stays up with industrial advancements must be established via HRM methods. In a study of large-scale building projects in Sri Lanka, for instance, Kumara (2023) discovered that the current safety training is insufficient and that much more frequent sessions—covering topics like first-aid, fire, and working at heights—are necessary to create an accident-free workplace.  Furthermore, more creative strategies are becoming popular. For example, a recent comparison research by Hewagarusinghe and Sridarran (2024) showed that, in comparison to traditional methods, virtual reality (VR)-based training greatly increases workers' safety awareness and retention. According to Amarak...

Employees that are well-versed in health and safety procedures should be given preference during the recruitment and selection processes. HRM can create standards that evaluate a person's dedication to safety in addition to their technical proficiency. Candidates that see the value of safety in construction can be drawn in by including safety assessments into the hiring process. Strategies for Safety-Focused Recruitment: Safety Competency Assessments Evaluate candidates’ knowledge and attitudes toward safety during the hiring process.  An essential HRM tool for determining whether employees and managers have the knowledge, abilities, and character traits needed to carry out their jobs safely is a safety competence assessment. These evaluations go beyond merely completing training; they are designed to make sure that workers can show proficiency in practical settings, recognize risks, make wise safety choices, and use safe practices on a daily basis. HRM can detect competency ga...

The safety culture in construction companies is greatly influenced by human resource management. By putting health and safety first, HRM can make sure that safety is ingrained in the culture of the company. This can be accomplished by encouraging employees to raise safety issues, promoting open communication, and rewarding safe conduct. Implementing Safety-Focused Policies: Safety Leadership & HRM Senthamizh Sankar, S., & Anandh, K. S. (2024) stated Leadership is a powerful mechanism through which HRM influences safety culture. Safety leadership (especially transformational or committed leadership) has been shown to positively affect perceptions of safety climate, including management commitment, communication, training, and group dynamics. Further explain by Senthamizh Sankar, S., & Anandh, K. S. (2024), that safety climate elements like management commitment to safety, safety training, open communication, and group safety culture are strongly predicted by the safety...

Inadequate safety procedures, a lack of training, and lax enforcement of regulations are just a few of the health and safety issues that Sri Lanka's construction sector must deal with. According to recent data, construction site accidents are frighteningly common and frequently result in serious injuries or fatalities. Poor working conditions, a culture that frequently places a higher priority on production than safety, and a lack of awareness of safety requirements among employers and employees are all contributing factors to this predicament. The first step in creating HRM solutions that can promote a safer workplace is to comprehend these issues. Important Problems: Inadequate Training : Many employees are not properly trained in safety protocols. Formal, role-specific safety training (induction, equipment operation, fall protection, emergency response) is either lacking or nonexistent for many Sri Lankan construction workers. Skills and awareness deteriorate when workplace...

A key component of Sri Lanka's economy, the construction sector creates jobs, housing, and infrastructure in both rural and urban areas. However, it continues to be one of the riskiest industries. Construction work is responsible for a significant portion of occupational injuries and fatalities worldwide, and Sri Lanka is no exception. The industry's sustainability and productivity are still threatened by frequent accidents, hazardous work practices, and the financial and human costs of poor health and safety (H&S) With a substantial GDP and employment contribution, Sri Lanka's construction sector is an essential part of the country's economy. But it's also one of the riskiest industries, with a high rate of mishaps and health hazards. From the standpoint of human resource management (HRM), this blog examines methods for improving health and safety in Sri Lanka's construction sector. Each of the six chapters that make up the discussion addresses importa...