An Integrated Framework for Examining Barriers Impeding Construction Project Clients’ Commitment to Health and Safety

Abstract

Purpose Construction project clients hold a substantial role in shaping health and safety (H&S) outcomes. Nonetheless, their commitment to H&S often remains minimal as a result of the existence of various barriers that impede their effective involvement. Without understanding the barriers from multiple stakeholders’ perspectives, interventions remain fragmented. This study, therefore, aims to conduct a cross-stakeholder analysis among project clients, contractors and consultants to identify and compare the perceived barriers that hinder clients’ effective commitment to H&S. Study Design/Methodology/Approach The study employed a mixed-methods approach, utilizing a survey questionnaire to obtain 96 responses for the quantitative analysis and a structured interview guide to gather 22 responses for the qualitative analysis. Descriptive and Pareto analyses were conducted to identify and prioritize the identified barriers. A thematic analysis was further conducted to establish the interrelationship among the barriers. Findings The findings revealed that barriers extend across five thematic categories: project complexity and strategy, stakeholder and communication, knowledge, culture and behaviour, technical and procedural and regulatory and institutional. The findings further revealed that client H&S responsibilities are persistently constrained by interconnected barriers, particularly budget-driven procurement, weak leadership, fragmented regulations and poor communication. Originality/Value The study advances beyond prior studies by moving from isolated analyses of barriers to a holistic mapping of their interdependencies, highlighting systemic choke points where interventions can yield significant improvements. Research Limitations/Implications The developed framework advances stakeholder theory in construction safety and identifies leverage points where integrated interventions can disrupt systemic barriers.