Better Safe than Sorry? - A case study on how Health and Safety Work unfolds in a Construction Company

Abstract

All employers in Sweden are required to conform to governmental work environment laws. The employer usually comply to these laws when translating them to workable practices, thus engaging in Health and Safety (H&S) work. This paper aim to investigate how H&S work unfolds in practice and particular within the Swedish construction industry; a sector that’s struggling with high levels of risks and lack of engagement in H&S work. The paper adopts a qualitative approach where one case study of a large construction company was deemed appropriate. Data has been collected through two observations and 21 interviews with Health and Safety Managers, Planning Managers and Production Managers. By emphasizing how decisions happens using a logic of appropriateness lens in contrast to a logic of consequence for analyzing the collected data, this paper will contribute with new insights upon the practical work with H&S rooted in law compliance. The result of this paper reveals that H&S work is more than just having the financial resources and activities in place, but that human interaction is required which can complicate employers H&S work in numerous ways.