The relationship between risk management and safety, health, environment and quality policy implementation among zambian contractors

The study aimed at ascertaining whether National Council for Construction (NCC) registered contractors classified in Grade One employ safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) to mitigate risks at projects. The study also sought to establish the SHEQ policies employed in the construction industry and the risks incurred due to non-conformance with policies. An exploratory sequential mixed method was adopted in which a structured interview guide and a questionnaire was used as data collection tools from a sample of 54 respondents out of which 38 (72%) responded. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Findings reviewed that leadership, individual behaviour, management commitment, and communication are correlated to the implementation of SHEQ policy. Risk management variables established are safety and health performance, managed construction costs, and quality and environmental performance. Risks encountered by contractors for not implementing SHEQ were political, economic, social, technical, environmental, legal, and management risks. It was established that failure to employ SHEQ policies had a high impact on the management of risks on site, hence, a strong correlation between SHEQ policy implementation and risk management. The study recommends the use of the developed risk management framework that incorporates SHEQ to mitigate risks.