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 a training-within-industry (TWI) job programme to reduce human failure by improving the safety-management system (SMS) in construction sites. A mixed-methods research design was used to collect qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis, whereas the quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The study findings revealed that the human failure reduction framework includes an implementation guideline with four steps: (a) identify the causes of the problem, (b) provide insight into how the factors of the TWI job programme will be integrated with the elements of the SMS, (c) provide insight into how the elements of the SMS will be integrated with the factors of the TWI job programme and (d) provide guidelines for safety-management teams on how the TWI job programme integrated with the elements of the SMS will help 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.