Introduction

Name of Project

UDC Acquisition of Q&D

Purpose of Document

The main aim of the document is to ensure that there is a proper analysis of the safety measures that should be implemented in Q&D. As has been noted, various issues have surrounded the company, and after the takeover by UDC, there is a need to understand the safety measures that have been implemented in the company’s framework.  By ensuring that there is an understanding of the risk management frameworks that have been put in place, the company aims at ensuring that there is compliance with the WHS requirements.

Overview of the project

Nevertheless, the controversy surrounding the safety measures that the company has implemented surrounds the needs of UDC to ensure that there is compliance with the general working environment. As it has been indicated in the report, the two companies have been rivals for an extended period in the construction industry, and the only relief for Q&D is the fact that all safety measures should be implemented by UCD. In such regard, the new CEO of the company requires an in-depth understanding of the safety measures available in the company structure. The portfolio of management, in this regard, has been indicated to be not relevant, to the extent that the company comes last in the ranking of company excellence.

Appraisal summary

Q&D and UDC deal with the construction of residential property. They are large construction companies

Business Context

Background

In the context of the business case, workplace health and safety has been of great importance over the recent past. However, the primary emphasis is on the employees, of which research indicates that the hazards that may face the workers may result in liability (Bhattacharjee, Ghosh, & Young-Corbett, 2010). Negligence, in such regards, is not tolerated in the workplace, which necessitates the need to conduct an in-depth analysis of the safety measures that have been implemented. In this context, research indicates that negligence of workplace safety has numerous implications on the productivity of the construction industry and the personnel involved.

Scenario Analysis

The implications, for one, are centered on the cost to the employer and the company. According to research, there is a significant correlation between injuries and company losses. Recent estimates indicate that injuries and fatalities usually necessitate the company to part ways with approximately $1 million (Lingard, 2017). Based on this fact, research suggests that employees need to ensure that there are insurance policies in place to protect the labor force, but an increase in the number of injuries results in an increase in the cost of the insurance cover.  In a scenario where there is a gap in the insurance policy, it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that the extra costs of the injuries are covered (Lingard, 2017). Secondly, research indicates that an increase in the injuries around the construction site results in a decrease in the productivity of the labor force. This notion is dependent on the relationship between the employer and the employees. As such, it has been indicated that a poor working environment tends to demoralize the employees, reducing productivity (Blismas & Wakefield, 2009). Moreover, it results in a strained relationship between the employer and the employee. In environments where the employee is continually trained on aspect of workplace safety, there is usually a good relationship between the employers and the employee. In such regards, the safety measures that have been implemented in the workplace tend to affect the morale of the employees, which means that it affects the level of employee devotion to the work that he/she is mandated. This, in turn, affects the productivity of the company (Weaver, 2006).

Another important aspect regards the perception of the public towards the general structure. In this regard, it has been indicated that companies that tend to place little emphasis on the safety of the employees do not have the right image as far as the public is concerned (Bhardwaj, Jain, & Jain, 2010). Companies that take business practices seriously, on the other hand, tend to be marketable to the public. This is because the concepts of safety extend from the workers into the general structure. Many people would readily accept a building that has been constructed in a safe working environment as compared to one which neglects the safety of the workers. Finally, some liabilities are associated with an unsafe working environment (Liberal, 2019). In this regard, it has been indicated that it is the responsibility of the company to ensure that the workers are in a safe working environment.  As such, it has been stated that there are standards that have been specified that determine the safety measures that must be implemented by an organization as. The rules, in this regard, need to be displayed for all the workers to see. In case there is an accident and loss of lives, the company may face severe implications on the aspects of negligence. It, as such, may mean that there may be legal and financial repercussions to the company (Kakitahi et al., 2016).

Project’s Key Players

One of the stakeholders, as research demonstrates, is the government agencies. In this regard, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration provides the framework through which the company should implement safety and health regulations (Beach et al., 2013). The body governs the type of safety frameworks depending on the environment, conditions, and workers. Therefore, it is the main overseeing body in the implementation of safety measures. Any aspect of neglect, in this case, may result in legal and financial implications for the company. The organization, as such, will have to work with the other stakeholders to provide a blueprint of the safety measures that should be implemented in the company. Another stakeholder is the workers. The workers, in this regard, are the most important stakeholders since the safety measures that are implemented aim at covering their safety needs. The OSHA framework requires that the workers are equipped with the right gear and given the right skills to navigate the daily work tasks. In essence, they are supposed to be included in the decision making framework. Finally, the company’s management is responsible for all the safety measures that are implemented in the construction site. Any aspect of negligence by the management may have pronounced implications in the long run.

Figure 1: Construction work safety

 

Business context

The thrust of the project

To ensure that there is success in the implementation of safety measures, it is essential to ensure that there is an efficient methodology in training the personnel. In this regard, it is crucial to ensure that the workforce is well equipped with the skills and knowledge that may protect them from any workplace hazard (SAI-Global, 2011). The success, in this regard, revolves around the successful implementation of the training safety requirements. The safety requirements, on this note, have been specified by the labor organization.

Moreover, the success of the plan will be dependent on the amount and level of equipment in the framework. Research notes that it is essential to ensure that the workforce has the necessary personal protective equipment. It is this availability of material that necessitates the need to provide a proper training framework. This is because it ensures that the labor force is well prepared to handle any construction hazard (Shane et al., 2009). However, the personnel protective equipment needs to be specified by OSHA, depending on the environment and the working constitutions. Therefore, success may be manifested by the availability of the necessary safety equipment.

However, the successful implementation of the whole structure will be dependent on the overall framework implemented to ensure that the organization is within the required limits when it comes to the appraisal (Bhardwaj, Jain, & Jain, 2010). All this, nevertheless, will be dependent on OSHA requirements.

In this regard, the most prominent outputs would be a decrease in the number of workplace accidents and fatalities. This may be manifested through a reduction in the insurance premiums that are charged to cover the workers. Therefore, adhering to the framework that has been provided by OSHA is very essential in ensuring that the company is in line with the regulatory requirements.

Rationale

The purpose of the project centers itself on the fact that Q&D have a terrible record in implementing health and safety measures in the construction industry. On the other hand UDC have a very commendable record of workplace health and safety. In this regard, the latter is on a mission to expand its portfolio within the residential construction sector, prompting it to purchase the assets of the former. However, to ensure that the company has an impeccable collection, which extends to even the new acquisition, there is a need to ensure that safety measures are adhered to.  This, in regard, means that the company has to ensure that there is an extensive analysis of the factors that made Q&D a company which could not ensure workplace safety and health. As the report indicates, the company had the highest injury rates, and on top of that, it was considered to have the lowest performance rankings. In this regard, the report indicates that the company was associated with the highest premium rates. To ensure that there is an improvement, it is therefore vital to ensure that there is an extensive analysis of the safety measures that have been implemented.

Figure 2 Construction work hazards

Organizational Impact Statement

Resource implications

One of the significant impacts is the fact that the implementation will require that the company invests heavily in training the labor force. In this regard, research indicates that there is a need to ensure that the workforce is well equipped with the relevant skills in workplace safety and health (Queensland Building and Construction Commission, 2019). This necessitates the need to ensure that there are time and fund allocation for the training. Moreover, there is a need to ensure that all the necessary personal protective equipment are installed within the premises of the organization. However, this should be in line with the specifications of OSHA and as such, should be in line with the environment and the working conditions. There several protective types of equipment and as such, the selection will be dependent on OSHA specifications.

Strategic implications

Based on the fact that the company may need to overhaul the safety measures in place, it is essential to understand that there may be a need to change the whole safety framework (Asanka & Ranasinghe, 2015). It is for both the short term and long term functionality of the organization. In that regard, the principal aim is to ensure that the company implements a proper strategy that will reduce the possibility of disasters in the working environment. The framework, furthermore, needs to consider the impacts on the insurance policies that are implemented by the organization. A proper context is likely to reduce the possibility of accidents which means that there is a reduction in the premium costs. This, in turn, reduces the overall expenditure on insurance covers (Beach et al., 2013).

Related Projects and programs

The project is related to the others under the portfolio of th organization. In this regard, it is essential to understand that the safety measures that are implemented in this project need to extend to other similar projects. This interdependency, as such, means that there is a need to ensure that there is a proper framework in the management of the various projects under the portfolio of the company. Therefore, the program that covers the different programs falls under the OSHA framework which necessitates the implementation of a proper safety analysis framework. It may mean that a program manager may be mandated with the responsibility of controlling the project.

Assumptions and Limitations

One of the major assumptions is that the workplace and health safety regulations are only provided by the OSHA framework. In this regard, the assumption bases itself on the fact that the organization is mandated with the responsibility of full implementation of workplace health and safety.  This means that there is a need to fully adhere to the framework to avoid any liabilities and issues. The structure should specify all the regulatory requirements including the workplace conditions and the management requirements. The limitation to this is the fact that there may be a limitation to the measures regarding the actual environment. This means that the company may have to look for other options that fit within the framework of the organization.

Project definitions

Statement of the scope

The project is to be funded by the CEO, Mr. Rick O’shea. UDC, in this regard, installed Mr Rick as the CEO to oversee the project completion. This is in line with the primary objective of the project which is to ensure that there is a complete overhaul of the safety strategies that lead to high premiums. The target outcome, therefore, is the full implementation of workplace health and safety measures that are in line with OSHA. Nevertheless, the downstream processes include the installation of PPE, the training process and the implementation of the safety requirements of the project. In such regard, the primary output is to ensure that the workplace has been implemented as per all the safety regulations.

Target outcome definitions

One of the major targets is the assurance that workplace safety measures are adhered to by the company. Secondly, there is a need to ensure that all the PPE are provided in the workplace. Thirdly, there is a need to ensure that there are sufficient training measures as per the work environment. Fourthly, OSHA requires that the workplace has a framework that aims at protecting the workers from workplace hazards. The fifth target outcome is to ensure that the company y has sufficient insurance schemes to cover the needs of the workers.

Valuation of the project scope

The project, in this regard, revolves around the provision of measures that ensure that the workers are protected from any workplace hazard. As such, there is a need to ensure that all the standards that are covered in the OSHA framework are covered. This, nevertheless, should be backed up by a proper insurance scheme.

(Dangerfield, Green, & Austin, 2010)Committed output definitions

As per the construction industry, it is essential to ensure that all the measures that surround the protection of the working personnel have adhered to ensure that there is sanity around the workplace. This also entails the protection of workers from violent misconduct.

Scope boundaries

There is a need to ensure that there is sufficient training of the personnel by OSHA. This ensures that the labour force is fully equipped to handle the work environment. It is also essential to ensure that the implementation strategy is conducted by the OSHA personnel

Project Governance

The governance structure for the project is supposed to ensure that there is a proper methodology that should be in line with the objectives of the company (Shane et al., 2009). The governance structure, in this regard, should ensure that there is inclusivity for all the stakeholders who include the government agencies, the company executives, and the workers.

To begin with, there is a need to ensure that the framework provides that there is full participation of all the workers (Sabet et al., 2013). In this regard, it has been indicated that the workers stand to gain the most significant benefits if there is successful implementation of the program and are at the highest risk if there is a failure in the project implementation strategy. In this regard, it is essential to ensure that there is input from the workers on the best methodology. Moreover, the framework should ensure that there is proper dissemination of information to all the workers as this will be essential in ensuring that the context fits well with the labour force (Rastogi & Trivedi, 2016). In his regard, it has been indicated that there is a need to ensure that there is a simplicity in the framework which should ensure that there is a straightforward methodology in reporting all the issues that are related to the labour force.

Furthermore, there should be a methodology in place that ensures that there is easy time in identification of the hazards that are associated with the working environment,  It has been indicated that the fast-paced nature of the construction environment and the dynamics related to the construction work are factors that may require immediate attention when there is a design of the safety frameworks (Powell, et al., 2019). Therefore, the first step is to ensure that there is a detailed assessment of the construction site in order o identify the hazards present and the potential dangers. In this regard, there is a need to ensure that there are regular and frequent assessments that provide a more nuanced description of the construction site safety measures and the possibility of hazards and injuries (Ngata, 2012). This includes the work safety hazards, the health hazards and the availability of the site to handle the vast number of interactions between the accidents.

The hazard prevention and control measures, later on, will need to be implemented as per the two methodologies. This will involve the inclusion of government agencies and various stakeholders. The measures, nevertheless, will depend on the initial reports that have been formulated in the first two phases.

Managing the External Environment

Stakeholders

Stakeholder management

One of the most critical stakeholders in the construction is the government agencies, including OSHA. In this regard, there is a need to ensure that there is an inclusion of a proper management methodology (Loosemore, Danity, & Lingard, 2011). This, as such, may involve the analysis of a proper consultation framework. The agencies, nevertheless, will provide the guidelines for the implementation of the management framework. It is an inclusive approach that ensures that all contributions are taken into perspective.

The workers, moreover, will play a fundamental role in the management of the construction works. In this regard, there is a need to ensure a bottom-up approach that ensures that the opinions are implemented in the overall management framework. The workers, or a representative, will ensure that the company implements policies that are suitable for the working conditions and the construction environment (Kakitahi et al., 2016).

All the executives, including the CEO, will also be influential in the establishment of the framework. The management is mandated with the responsibility of ensuring that all guidelines are implemented, which essentially determines the safety of the working environment.

Project Communication Strategy

The framework needs to consider both the bottom-up approach and the top-down approach if the implementation strategy is going to be successful (Lingard, 2017)l. In this regard, it is essential to ensure that there is upwaward communication from the workers. This ensures that the minute details of the construction safety are implemented into the management framework. The strategy, in this regard, is dependent on the perception of the workers.

On the other hand, a top-down approach is useful in ensuring that the policies of the company extend into the workers. This is more of a consultative approach that ensures that the management provides the side of the measures while the workers indicate their views (Asanka & Ranasinghe, 2015). The collaboration, in turn, ensures that all the necessities of the safety measures are understood and the opinion of all the workers is taken into consideration. However, there may be a need for a more direct approach by the OSHA personnel due to the gravity of the situation and the impacts on the general working environment.

Risk

One of the significant dangers that may face the organization is the lack of devotion by the workers. In this regard,it is imperative to understand that worker engagement is one of the most vital issues when there is an implementation of safety measures around the workplace (Bhattacharjee, Ghosh, & Young-Corbett, 2010). In such regard, the lack of devotion may mean that there is a shortage in the implementation measures.’

Moreover, there is a risk that is inherent to the organization. In such regards, it is essential to understand that specific measures that are proposed by the OSHA framework may not fit well within the organization structure. This means that there is a shortage in coverage regarding the full implementation of the measures. Characteristics of the organization, such as the management structure, limit the possibility of a proper methodology in the implementation framework (Liberal, 2019). There may be various issues that may surround the decision making process that make the general process ineffective. It as such limits the compliance of the company to the framework that has been outlined by the regulating agencies.

Issues

There is a possibility that the framework may become ineffective in the implementation stage. This means that there may be a misfit between the business structure and the OSHA framework, mainly due to the acquisition of one company by another. The limitation, as such, makes the general process ineffective and may lead to non-compliance. However., this is highly dependent on the management framework since it is the core of the decision making process of the organization. An incompatibility between the new acquisition and the framework that is in place makes the general process ineffective.

Figure 3: Context of Construction Work

Project Analysis

The Gantt Chart

The Chart needs to specify the role of each stakeholder in the general implementation process. The lack of the chart may lead to redundancy in some of the issues that face the organization and moreover, may lead to the use of unproportionate requirements.

In this regard, the Gantt chart of the organization is as follows:

The tasks, in this case, are dependent on the specifications of the management. There are varying requirements between one project and as such, each mission is dependent on the specification of the management and the framework that has been used to ensure inclusion of the different stakeholders.

The milestones

The milestones will dependent on the type of construction environment and the requirements outlined by the OSHA framework. In this regard, the first activity revolves around the identification of events that are present in the construction site. Secondly, there is a need to determine the hazards that may be present at the construction site. The dangers, in this regard, are dependent on the activities that have been identified. The risk assessment methodology focuses on the risks that have been identified in the project activities. It is imperative to ensure that the framework takes into consideration the working environment and the safety of the workers. This also is essential in determining the protective and security measures that need to be implemented in the construction site. The rules, nevertheless, have to be continually reviewed, either on a monthly, weekly, or daily basis. The review, in this regard, tries to determine the effectiveness of the measures that have been implemented. An identification of the faults, in this regard, determines the periodic improvement of the measures that have been implemented.

Internal resource plan

The resource planning process is dependent on the understanding of the framework that has been outlined by the government. This means that the workforce and the planning personnel play a big role in the execution of the whole project.

External resource acquisition planning

This entails the inclusion of personnel from the external authorities who are well conversant with the regulatory measures that must be implemented in ensuring that all the principles of the OSHA framework are implemented. In such a regard, there is need to ensure that the following table is adhered to by the organizing committee.

Project Budget and Cashflow planning

The project needs to fall within an allowable budget. This means that there is a need to review the whole process and understand the essential details of the project. The budget, in this regard, depends on the market economics and the internal factors of the organization.

Overview

The planning process may be the most intense in the whole project lifecycle. This means that there is a need to ensure that there is a consultative framework which will ensure that each stakeholder is involved in the decision making process. In such regard, the whole planning phase may take approximately two weeks.

One of the groups to be involved in the planning process are the workers and their representatives. The workers provide a benchmark from where the project indicates the necessities. OSHA representatives need to be included in order to ensure that the project is well in line with the framework. Finally, there is a need to ensure that management is involved. This is primarily because they are the decision-makers.

References

Asanka, W. A., & Ranasinghe, M. (2015). STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF ACCIDENTS ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. 6th international conference on civil engineering and construction management, (pp. 58-67).

Beach, T. H., Rana, O. F., Rezgui, Y., & Parashar, M. (2013). Cloud computing for the architecture, engineering and construction sector: requirements, prototype and experience. Journal of Cloud Computing, 2 (8).

Bhardwaj, S., Jain, L., & Jain, S. (2010). Cloud computing: A study of infrastructure as a service (IAAS). International Journal of Engineering and Information Technology, 2 (1), 60-63.

Bhattacharjee, S., Ghosh, S., & Young-Corbett, D. (2010). Safety Improvement Approaches in Construction Industry: A Review and Future Directions. 47th ASC Annual International Conference Proceedings (pp. 1-8). Muncie, Indiana.

Blismas, N., & Wakefield, R. (2009). Drivers, constraints and the future of offsite manufacture in Australia. Construction Innovation , 9 (1), 72-83.

Bong, S., Rameezdeen, R., Zuo, J., Li, R. Y., & Ye, G. (2015). The designer’s role in workplace health and safety in the construction industry: post-harmonised regulations in South Australia. International Journal of Construction Management, 15 (4), 276-287.

Dangerfield, B., Green, S., & Austin, S. (2010). Understanding construction competitiveness: the contribution of system dynamics. Construction Innovation , 10 (4), 408-420.

Kakitahi, J. M., Alinaitwe, H. M., Landin, A., & Mone, S. J. (2016). Impact of construction-related rework on selected Ugandan public projects. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 14 (2), 238-251.

Liberal. (2019). TAFE NSW: health, community services construction workers in need in Dubbo. Retrieved from https://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/5860410/here-are-the-job-industries-in-dubbo-seeing-growth/

Lingard, H. (2017). Leading or lagging? Temporal analysis of safety indicators on a large infrastructure construction project. Safety Science, 91, 206-220.

Loosemore, M., Danity, A., & Lingard, H. (2011). Human Resources Management in Construction Project: Strategic Operational Approaches. 

Ngata, A. (2012). Roles of Different Stakeholders in the Construction Industry. 

Powell, A., Meltzer, A., Martin, C., Stone, W., Liu, E., Flanagan, K., et al. (2019). The Construction of Social Housing Pathways Across Australia. Melbourne: AHURI Final Report No. 316, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited.

Queensland Building and Construction Commission. (2019). Standards and Tolerance Guide. 

Rastogi, N., & Trivedi, M. K. (2016). PESTLE TECHNIQUE – A TOOL TO IDENTIFY EXTERNAL RISKS IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, 3 (1), 384-386.

Sabet, P. P., Aadal, H., Jamshidi, M. M., & Rad, K. G. (2013). Application of Domino Theory to Justify and Prevent AccidentOccurance in Construction Sites. Mech. Civ. Eng, 6 (2), 72-76.

SAI-Global. (2011). Guide to Standards -Building and Construction. 

Shane, J. S., Molenaar, K. R., Anderson, S., & Schexnayder, C. (2009). Construction Project Cost Escalation Factors. Journal of Management in Engineering, 25 (4), 58-89.

Weaver, D. A. (2006). Symptoms of Operational error. Professional Safety, 51 (4), 48-54.