The role of optimum health and safety (H&S) in construction marketing

Anecdotal evidence and literature indicate that clients in developing countries are placing increasing emphasis on H&S, which manifests itself in the inclusion of H&S as a pre-qualification criterion. Optimum H&S performance also enhances overall performance and efficiency, which results in reduced cost of production. Reduced cost of production in turn, results in increased competitiveness in the market place. Given the findings of literature and anecdotal evidence a study was conducted among general contractors (GCs), which had achieved a place in the Building Industries Federation South Africa (BIFSA) National H&S Competition to determine the role of H&S in construction marketing. The salient findings include: clients primarily pre-qualify GCs relative to legislated related H&S issues, such as registration for compensation insurance, programme, and policy; clients also do so relative to accountability, H&S star grading status, and H&S statistics and require project H&S reporting, and TQM related H&S phenomena contributed to the acquisition of work, or additional work. The findings clearly indicate the role and benefits of investing in H&S and reinforce the contention that optimum H&S does provide 'better practice' H&S GCs with a competitive edge. Recommendations include that 'better practice' H&S GCs should continue to enhance their H&S related practices to maintain and enhance their competitive advantage.