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Research Proposal
The Most Suitable Risk Management Model for Safety Risks in Tier One Construction
Projects: South Australia
Business Research Methods
The University of Adelaide
Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Literature Review .................................................................................................................................... 4
What is Risk? ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Enterprise Risk Management .............................................................................................................. 6
CAS ERM Framework .......................................................................................................................... 6
COSO ERM Framework ....................................................................................................................... 7
ISO 31000 ............................................................................................................................................ 8
Risk Management Models in Tier One Construction .......................................................................... 9
Research Problem ................................................................................................................................ 10
Business/Management Problem ....................................................................................................... 10
Research Objectives ............................................................................................................................ 10
Conceptual Framework ......................................................................................................................... 11
Research Questions .............................................................................................................................. 12
Methodology and Data Analysis ........................................................................................................... 13
Research Design ............................................................................................................................... 13
Participants ...................................................................................................................................... 13
Data Collection Method .................................................................................................................... 14
Data Analysis Method ....................................................................................................................... 15
Research Timeline ................................................................................................................................. 15
References ........................................................................................................................................... 16
Introduction
When it comes to the management of risks in construction projects, while having similarities,
the risk management approach cannot be a “one size fits all” approach. Due to the unique
nature of the work with multiple overlaying layers of complexity faced by tier one projects,
safety remains an area which requires conscious effort and careful management to ensure all
risks are minimised. While there are a number of risk management models, they are not all
suitable to aid in the management of safety risks in mega scale projects such as those carried
out by the tier one industry.
The aim of this research is to focus on identifying the most suitable risk management model
for the management of safety risks in tier one projects in South Australia. It aims to do this by
identifying the most common safety risk categories within tier one construction and analysing
the following risk management models to identify the most suitable model for the use in high
rise residential/commercial buildings at tier one level of construction. The analysis and
selection of the most suitable model will be based on the merit and effectiveness of identifying
and addressing safety concerns faced in construction
This research proposal will establish some of the existing literature currently available a little deeper,
to form a sound outline for the research report itself, as well as the background to the research, the
proposed methodology and data analysis and finally the proposed timeline.
Literature Review
In order to successfully select the most suitable risk management model, it is important to first
investigate the meaning of risk and it’s ability to impede on the project in the context of tier
one construction projects, the most common safety risks found on construction sites and finally
identify and analyse the risk management models used in the construction industry. The
following subsection assess these points.
What is Risk?
Risks are any events which are uncertain in nature and have the ability to impede on an
organisation's success or prevent it from achieving it's objectives. The Project Management
Body of Knowledge Guide (PMBOK) describes risks as: "an uncertain event or condition that,
if it occurs, has a positive or negative effect on a project’s objectives." Events however, can
be either opportunities or risks depending on whether the consequence resulting from taking
an uncertain event is positive or negative. Risks can be measured based on the level of
severity of the consequence should the event occur, as well as the probability of the event
occurring (Pritchard, 2015).
The construction industry is a highly complex industry involving various different stakeholders
such as clients, main contractors, suppliers, designers, engineers and subcontractors. Tier
one construction companies, which focus on large scale commercial projects have particularly
complex systems which are run by risky activities. Some tier two and tier three construction
firms rely on the project manager to deal with risks involved with the project at hand and while
this is part of the project manager’s role, risks identified by the project manager are then based
on their own professional experiences and disciplines and thus many on-site safety risks may
not be accounted for (Zhao, Hwang and Low, 2015). The following are some of the most
common safety risks typically found in tier one construction projects.
• Confined Spaces
• Excavations and Trenches
• Falling Objects
• Heights
• Hazardous Substances and Specified Dangerous Goods
• Manual Tasks
• Noise
• Plant and Vehicles
• Heat
• Slips, Trips and Falls
Enterprise Risk Management
Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) are a type of risk management frameworks for
enterprises which express the step by step processes and procedures which must be taken
to manage key risks threatening the enterprise and, as a result, aid in the achievement of
company objectives in the process by seizing opportunities. The aim of ERM models are to
assist in the process of adding value to a company's effectiveness by increasing risk reporting
and identifying risks before they have impacted on the company in a negative way (Lam,
2014). Currently there are two ERM models used by the construction industry; the Casualty
Actuarial Society (CAS) ERM model and the Committee of Sponsoring Organisations (COSO)
ERM model, which will be discussed in further detail in the following sections.
CAS ERM Framework The Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) ERM Framework 2003 suggests that enterprise risk
management is a practise which organisations within any industry must abide by in order to
exploit, finance, control assesses and monitors risks to achieve objectives. The CAS
framework is comprised of two dimensions; the risk type and risk management process. The
risk types in this framework include hazard risks, financial risks, operational risks and strategic
risks. The risk management process includes the following steps (Figure 1); establishing
context, identifying risks, analysing and quantifying risks, integrating risks, assessing and
prioritising risks, treating and exploiting risks and finally monitoring and reviewing (CAS, 2003).
Figure 1: CAS ERM Framework (Source: CAS, 2003)
COSO ERM Framework Committee of Sponsoring Organisations of the Tread-way Commission (COSO) ERM
Integrated Framework 2004, states that the aim of the framework is to build up “internal
control, providing a more robust and extensive focus on the broader subject of enterprise risk
management” (COSO, 2004). The COSO framework is a three dimensional enterprise risk
management framework, as illustrated in Figure 2, which states how employees from each
hierarchical level of the company implement ERM components to achieve the four objective
categories (Zhao, Hwang and Low, 2015). The eight interrupted components include; internal
environment, objective setting, event identification, risk assessment, risk response, control
activities, information and communication, and monitoring (Zhao, Hwang and Low, 2015),
whereas the four objective categories include; strategic, operations, reporting and compliance.
Figure 2: COSO ERM
Framework (Source:
COSO, 2004)
ISO 31000
ISO 31000, created by the International Organisation for Standardisation, is considered as the
standard model for risk management implementation. The ISO 31000 model can be applied
to both small and large firm projects and while small projects are likely to have one ISO 31000
document for all risks within the project, large projects are likely to have a seperate document
for each risk category. Therefore, safety risks of tier one projects are likely to have both a
seperate risk management document and a seperate safety risk management representative.
To manage safety risks, the ISO 31000 guide works as a guide, providing a step by step
procedure on the process of how risks are to be managed (illustrated in Figure 4). These steps
include; establishing the context, risk identification, risk analysis, risk evaluation, risk
treatments, communication and consultation and finally, monitor and reviewal. The main focus
of this framework is to expand the understanding of every risk, the extent of potential
consequences involved with each risk and the probability of these consequences occurring
allowing for adequate measures to be allocated as treatments to prevent these risks occurring
or minimising their impact (Purdy, 2010).
Figure 4: ISO 31000 Steps (Source: ISO 31000 - Risk management).
Risk Management Models in Tier One Construction It must be noted that the CAS and COSO models are ERM models, thus they work on an
enterprise level rather then project level, whereas the ISO 3100 works on a project to project
basis. Thus the ISO 31000 is catered to the specific project rather than providing a general
approach to risk management at an enterprise level. A risky industry such as the construction
industry cannot rely on a one size fits all approach and consequently, as the table indicates,
the ISO 31000 appears to be of best fit for such a category of projects. In fact, the attitude that
such critical risks as those associated with human health and safety can be managed at an
enterprise level rather than specifically the project in question may be the issue with
management of safety risks in certain cases. While this may be possible for tier 3 building
companies who commonly have a catalog of houses which are all the same, or similar and
thus risks associated with these can be planned for at an enterprise level, this is simply not
the case for projects as large and risky as tier one, as each project is likely to have different
specifications, materials, tools, and locations, there are different risks which must be
considered which cannot be managed from an enterprise risk management level. For
example; the machinery, tools, materials and consideration of civilians in a project which is
based in the CBD and one which is based in a secluded land area cannot be the same. Rather
careful catering or risk management and control is needed to ensure safety.
Zhao, Hwang and Low however suggest in their paper; Enterprise Risk Management in
Construction Firms: A proposed Implementation Framework (2015), that the issue with
construction risk management is not due to the model chosen, but rather that Project
Managers manage risks from a Project Management point of view, rather than a construction
point of view. Suggesting that both ERM models, as well as the ISO 31000 can work just as
well if they are applied from the point of view of construction safety rather than project time,
cost and schedule. While some of these points may be true, in tier one companies which deal
with numerous project managers, subcontractors, the project managers of subcontractors and
various site managers for each project, safety risks are not managed by the project manager,
but by the safety representatives and thus risks are certainly considered from a safety
perfective. As a result, it is the aim of this research to investigate what the most suitable risk
management model is in ensuring success in the management of safety risks in tier one
construction projects.
Research Problem
The construction industry is a highly complex industry involving various different stakeholders such as
clients, main contractors, suppliers, designers, engineers and subcontractors. Tier one construction
companies, which focus on large scale commercial projects have particularly complex systems which
are run by risky activities. Some tier two and tier three construction firms rely on the project manager
to deal with risks involved with the project at hand and while this is part of the project manager’s role,
risks identified by the project manager are then based on their own professional experiences and
disciplines and thus many on-site safety risks may not be accounted for (Zhao, Hwang and Low, 2015).
Tier one construction firms are generally enormous corporations focusing on very large commercial
projects and thus will generally have a risk management office and different risk managers accounting
for different risk types as there are likely to be tens of thousands of risks in major projects. However
while there are a couple of risk management models which are commonly applied, these models seem
to tend to be focused on projects which are project-based in nature, rather than towards a
construction safety based nature. Thus existing risk management models must be analysed to identity
which of the existing models works best for the management of construction safety risks.
Furthermore, construction industries focusing on major projects such as tier one companies often not
only include their own employees’ whose safety must be accounted for but also the safety of the many
additional subcontractors’ who come to work on tier one sites.
Business/Management Problem
This research will aim to identify the most suitable risk management method or model for the
management of safety risks in large scale projects such as those carried out by tier one construction
firms.
Research Objectives
The key objective of this research is to identify the key safety risks faced on a tier one construction
projects. Construction is an industry riddled with safety risks and over the course of recent history has
taken considerable steps towards improving safety conditions and reducing incidents and their
impacts. This has been achieved through a number of safety management steps which this research
will explore. The key focus of this research will however hone in on the tier one segment of the
construction industry where the safety risks are deemed to be highest, and where these steps
undertaken are most stringent and comprehensive, including not only the head contractor, but the
entire project team beginning from the design, through to the execution, and affecting all tiers of
contractors and sub contractors along the way.
This research will explore the key risk management models used by tier one construction companies
and analyse the benefits and drawbacks of each model. Different risks may attract different
approaches, based on the type of projects, such as; residential apartment high rise buildings, civil
construction, through to large industrial and engineering projects. Depending on the nature and
particular challenges presented by each type of project, the nature of the safety risks could vary,
resulting in a different risk management model being applied. This research, although keeping key
focus on residential high rise construction will explore different challenges of different types of
projects to showcase how in certain circumstances a varying approach is necessary. Essentially a one
size fits all approach isn’t always appropriate.
The research will also aim to identify potential gaps in each model used, and explore how a
compromise is reached when selecting a risk management model for the particular project.
Finally, this research will look to identify the most suitable model for the use in high rise
residential/commercial buildings at tier one level of construction. The analysis and selection of the
most suitable model will be based on the merit and effectiveness of identifying and addressing safety
concerns faced in construction.
Conceptual Framework
The conceptual framework illustrated below demonstrates the different factors affecting the
choice of the risk management model used for tier one construction projects in a company
and how these factors are related. For example, model factor indicate the gaps presented in
each of the models which prevent successful safety risk management in the industry and the
lack of consideration of SWMS which are critical to the management of construction safety in
each model.
Project factors include the factors which make this industry different or more difficult to manage
than other industries. The severity of construction safety risks is much higher than for example
the severity of risks in working in an office. Tier one construction again, is a lot more dangerous
than residential construction as it involves more dangerous activities and there is a lot more
jobs being carried out on site at the same time. Thus there is a lot more to take into account
when trying to plan and manage safety risks.
Finally, the organisational factors include the awareness and knowledge of the management
team such as safety representatives and project managers when it comes to risk management
models. The level of knowledge of the management team will indeed impact which model they
choose and how the model will be executed.
Research Questions
The following describes the questions this research will aim to answer:
• What are the predominant risk management models in the construction industry?
• Does there exist a gap that needs to be addressed with the models used for safety risks?
i. What gaps are existing in the current risk management models?
ii. What is essential in the management of safety risks in a tier one setting, that is not
accounted for by the identified models?
• What is the most suitable model for tier one construction project when combating safety
risks?
Methodology and Data Analysis
This section discusses the methodology and data analysis techniques which will be used to
carry out this research.
Research Design
In order to adequately formulate and in-depth analysis of the way in which the tier one industry
thinks and feels about the risk management models and their use win managing safety risks,
a qualitative research approach will be used in which key stakeholders from the industry will
be interviewed on the topic and analysing their responses as well as their body language and
behaviour when asked about the topic.
The reasoning of this research is also likely to be adductive, suggesting that the research
collected in the literature review as well as the information provided by the interviewees will
provide an inference to the “best fit” explanation, giving the possibility that new information or
a new conclusion will be drawn than to the one initially stated in the literature review.
Participants
The participants of this research will be seven key individuals involved in the management of
safety risks in tier one projects. These individuals are from a mixture of some of the tier one
construction companies in South Australia as well as a sub contracting company which
conducts construction activities as part of a tier one project. The research will approach
contractors, sub contractors and tradespeople who have direct contact with tier one
construction to attain their knowledge, feedback and possible suggestions regarding safety
management strategies. Interviewee’s roles include;
• Safety Representatives
• Project Managers
• Site Managers
• Sub contracting Company Director
• Tradespeople
Having a broad spectrum of interviewees from different levels of the project allows for a more
balanced view. For example there would be a different view point ranging from the people
who’s responsibility is to create the safety methods (head contractors), through to people who
have to structure their activities to comply (ie sub contractors) through to the people directly
affected by the measures (trades people).
Data Collection Method
The data for this research will be done using primary data collected by conducting semi-
structured interviews with key individuals from the tier one construction industry as the
observation technique.
The observatory technique allows an insight on how people act on the job when they do not
know they are being observed (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2016). For this study, it will
allow for the observation of trades workers’ attitude towards safety on a construction site and
weather of not they in fact follow the rules and regulations set in the safety risk management
plan. It also allows for the observation of the safety representatives on site and their
relationship with the workers, as well as their contribution to the management of safety risks
in construction. Furthermore, this research will include the observation of safety risk
management templates and safety work methods statement templates to gain insight on the
types of things which must be considered when putting these documents together.
A semi-structured interview approach, rather than a structured interview approach, is to be
used to collect data for this research to ensure and avoid biases and encourage more detailed
answers. A semi-structured interview approach allows the researcher to cover specific
questions and themes which need to be covered, but does not limit the interviewee to this, but
rather allows for a more in depth analysis of the topic to ensure a greater insight is gained
(Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2016). This can be very beneficial to the researcher as they
may be able to gain access to information they were not aware of and thus generate a stronger
understanding of the topic. Some of the most dominant questions throughout the semi-
structured interviews will be:
• What risk management models are used in your company to manage safety risks in tier
one construction?
• Are you aware of the different risk management models available?
• How are risks managed for tier one construction projects?
• What are the biggest issues when attempting to manage risks in this industry?
• How does risk management in tier one construction differ to smaller construction projects?
• Does human error impede on the management plans in safety risk management?
• How many safety risks can be identified in a project as large as a tier one construction
project?
• What do you think can be done to improve safety risk management in this industry?
Data Analysis Method
To ensure the information collected is properly analysed, a thematic analysis will be carried
out to establish the common topics of overlapping factors identified by interviewees and these
factors will content will then be analysed to ensure the models identified in the literature review
can be properly analysed and gaps of these models can be identified.
Research Timeline
This research is to be completed by September 10, 2017. Hence, to complete this research by the
specified date, the following describes the relevant activities and their their allocated timelines
needed to carry out this research (illustrated in the Gantt Chart below).
• Literature Review: All existing literature is to be researched and reviewed, all relevant
references selected and the literature review is to be written up by the 31st of July.
• Formalise Research Questions: All questions for data collection are to be completed and
formalised by 7th August.
• Questionnaire Design: The questionnaire with the formalised questions is to be designed
alongside the formalisation of research questions and completed and ready for collection by
8th August.
• Data Collection: All relevant parties are to be given the questionnaire to fill out and data is
to be collected by the 21st August.
• Data Analysis: The collected data is to be analysed for about a week, allowing time for any
additional time which may be needed for collection of data in this time period. The analysis
of all data should be completed and ready to be written up by the 28th of August.
• Write Up: The final analysed data should be finalised and written up, along with and
additions or editing to the literature review and final formatting of research should be
completed by the 4th of September.
References CAS (2003) Overview of enterprise risk management. Casualty Actuarial Society, Arlington
COSO. 2006. Enterprise Risk Management Integrated Framework.
Lam, J 201. Enterprise Risk Management, Wiley, Somerset, US.
PMI (2013) A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, Fifth Edition (PMBOK®
Guide) ©2013 Project Management Institute, Inc. Copyright and all rights reserved.
Pritchard, D. (2015). Risk. Metaphilosophy, 46(3), pp.436-461.
Purdy, G. (2010). ISO 31000:2009-Setting a New Standard for Risk Management. Risk
Analysis, 30(6), pp.881-886.
Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2016). Research methods for business students.
1st ed. Harlow [etc.]: Pearson.
Zhao, X., Hwang, B.G. and Low, S.P., 2015. Enterprise risk management in international
construction operations. Singapore: Springer.
