Towards Zero Fatalities, Injuries, and Disease in Construction

This study explores the 'holy grail' of health and safety (H&S) - zero fatalities, injuries, and disease! Although, the logic of pursuing such a goal is obvious there are many 'non-believers' in the sense that they do not believe it is achievable. However, the literature indicates that such a goal is an integral part of H&S culture, and is complementary to the vision of fatality, injury, and disease free construction. Furthermore, it is the only 'transparent' goal.A study conducted among a convenience sample of 'better practice H&S' general contractors determined that client contributions, 'designing for construction H&S', integration of design and construction, appropriate procurement, contractor planning, risk assessment, an optimum interface between H&S, quality, and the environment including the respective management systems, H&S education and training for all stakeholders, core competencies, and consciousness and mindfulness, will contribute to the realisation of 'zero'.Conclusions and recommendations include the achieving of 'zero' requires a multi-stakeholder effort on a project basis, including a partnering type process, and synergy between groups of actions / beliefs / interventions / practices / states i.e. the requisite 'cocktail' of factors must be in place and to an optimum extent.