Hong Kong construction foremen's safety responsibilities: A case study of management oversight

In total, 69 foremen from 13 Hong Kong construction companies were invited to participate in a study designed to investigate foremen's opinions regarding 27 safety supervisory tasks. These fell into six categories, including handling new workers, training, safety, discipline, coordinating, and motivating. Results of the survey and subsequent follow-up interviews showed that over two thirds of foremen claimed that they had the responsibility to perform certain tasks but only half said that they had the authority to perform these tasks. Further interviews and on-site observations of foremen were then conducted in order to validate the findings by way of case study material. It is concluded that foremen play a key role in ensuring that safety management systems operate effectively. It appears, from the results of the study, that this role is not being performed properly and that the key interface between worker and management the role of the foreman, is not paid sufficient attention by senior management and is an area requiring urgent attention if Hong Kong's poor site safety record is to be improved.