Abstract:
This study discusses if and how a safety management system (SMS) mitigates or reduces errors and violations
on construction sites. The study investigated SMS systems on three major projects in South Africa. The results
affirmed that SMS helps to control hazards and risks, but the desired outcome could only be achieved if it
is designed and implemented appropriately. The results suggested that on the construction sites visited, inadequate
implementation ultimately resulted in errors and violations becoming the norm. The apparently poor
implementation observed during the study was cause for concern. It should be addressed, jointly, by both workers
and management.
