The use of commercial frameworks for driving exceptional health and safety performance in the construction industry

Summary

Research was undertaken to understand the use of commercial frameworks to drive exceptional H&S performance in large infrastructure construction projects. The research sought to identify characteristics of commercial frameworks currently being used in infrastructure construction projects and evaluate the impact of these commercial frameworks on project H&S performance.

The research revealed a range of characteristics of a commercial framework that can impact on project H&S performance. These included: the contracting strategy/procurement model selected, the way that H&S items are priced and paid for, the mechanisms used for to measure performance and the use of financial incentives or penalties linked to H&S performance. Considerations for incorporating H&S into commercial frameworks were identified.

Team

• Helen Lingard
• Tiendung Le
• James Harley     
• David Oswald

Partners

• Melbourne Metro Rail Authority/Level Crossing Removal Authority

Testimonial

The RMIT team's knowledge and understanding of infrastructure risk was evident during their research work on our Commercial Framework project. The team necessarily required, and demonstrated, knowledge and understanding of major project procurement, delivery and project management processes. These were all well-articulated in the final report and other deliverable outputs. The RMIT team also showed capabilities in regard to general human resources concepts and application within the commercial framework research project.

Publications

• Full report: The use of commercial frameworks to drive exceptional health & safety performance in the construction industry (December 2016) (PDF 890KB)
• Research to practice report: Considerations in front end planning to achieve exceptional health and safety performance (June 2017) (PDF 328 KB)

Peer-reviewed papers/outputs

• LINGARD, H., OSWALD, D. & LE, T., (2019), Embedding occupational health and safety in the procurement and management of infrastructure projects: Institutional logics at play in the context of New Public Management, Construction Management and Economics.
• OSWALD, D., ZHANG, R. P., LINGARD, H., PIRZADEH, P. LE, T., (2018), The use and abuse of safety indicators in construction, Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 25 (9). pp.1188-1209