CHALLENGES AND OSH MEASUREMENT'S IMPROVEMENTS FROM THE LOCAL ALBANIAN SUBCONTRACTOR/CONTRACOR COMPANY PERSPECTIVE.

Abstract

Occupational Health and safety is becoming more and more a very concerning issue in developing countries. Some various efforts for improvement can be seen, but they are significantly not enough to provide a secure work environment in the construction industry. Although very much research has been conducted in OSH in developed countries, in Albania there is very little research concerned with this topic. Therefore this case study is important in trying to give a local perspective of both the management and employees working in challenging projects and dealing with OSH issues/risks. This case study focuses initially on the investigation of the Management Safety practices that the company enforces on its employees, on the level of enforcement of these practices, and on their application on site. Moreover, this study brings together the management point of view on health and safety and the worker's perception on how it is actually being applied on site. It is crucial to mention that this case study focuses on the local subcontractor/contractor point of view, information which gives rise to a more realistic research on the reality of construction challenges/risks in developing countries. This study gives rise to a deeper understanding of how companies in Albania can adopt, improve and understand the OSH policies importance in order to be safely successful.This study concludes that the companies must adopt and promote adequately the occupational health and safety management system concerning all its parameters, while investing on a OSH management certificate and health and safety experts.