EXPLORING PERCEIVED IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES OF THE PERMIT-TO-WORK REQUIREMENT OF THE CONSTRUCTION REGULATIONS IN SOUTH

Abstract

Regulations are designed to encourage changes in individual outcomes. Such outcomes could be changes in conditions of work that leads to reduced accidents, injuries, and fatalities in the construction industry. Following this premise, the reported research project investigated the implications of the 2014 Construction Regulations that replaced the 2003 regulations in South Africa. Methodology With exploratory sequential mixed method research design that obtained the perceptions of project actors that are active in the industry, the study examines the contents of the regulations; the intentions of the permit-to-work requirement of the regulations; and the ability of the Department of Labour (DoL) to enforce compliance. The exploration focuses on the procurement system of the national Department of Public Works (DPW) in South Africa as a major client of the industry. Findings The study shows that though the interviewees were relatively familiar with the revised regulations, their ability to implement the permit-to-work requirement is a concern. The concerns focus on the capacity of the DoL to process permits when required. This perception indicates that there would be cost implications for project actors when implementing the permitto- work requirement and this cost factor could delay project initiation, planning, and delivery. Value The issues that have been highlighted have to be addressed in practice so that the health and safety (H&S) improvement intentions of the revised regulations would not be marginalised.