Assessing and evaluating subcontractor management safety policies

Subcontractors have significant roles on construction projects, and thus, are influential to the project's cost, schedule, quality, and safety outcomes. Safety issues occasionally arise with subcontractors that could be prevented if there is a good relationship between subcontractor and the other parties involved in a project. The purpose of this research was to develop a subcontractor management assessment program for contractors and owners to assess their subcontractor management safety policies. Through a literature review and guidance from industry experts, elements involved in subcontractor management were identified. An extensive questionnaire survey assisted in validating its contents. After developing the rating tool, ongoing projects assessed their subcontractor safety management policies. Thirty project management personnel and 15 site level personnel participated in this study across 10 projects. The primary contribution of this research to the body of knowledge is to identify a rating tool and evaluate its relationship to safety performance.