Study of influential factors on safety culture of shipbuilding industry - case study on dockyards in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The shipbuilding industry plays a crucial role in Sri Lanka's economy, particularly in foreign exchange earnings, yet it operates in a high-risk environment characterized by complex tasks, advanced technology, and diverse worker involvement. Despite its growth, the sector faces significant safety challenges, with human error accounting for nearly 98% of industrial accidents. In Sri Lanka, from 2010 to 2020, the construction sector, including shipbuilding, reported 311 fatal accidents, highlighting the urgent need for improved safety practices. This research assesses the current safety culture in Sri Lanka's shipbuilding industry and identifies influential factors and indicators that can guide improvements in safety practices. A mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data, was employed, including focus group discussions and document reviews from a selected dockyard. The study identifies seven influential factors and fourteen indicators that shape safety culture, with only one indicator rated as excellent, while most were rated poor. The safety culture maturity level of the selected dockyard was found to be "Mostly Reactive" based on the DuPont Bradley Curve, with top management participation in safety patrol visits identified as an enabler for positive safety culture. This research provides critical insights into the barriers and enablers of safety culture in Sri Lanka’s shipbuilding industry and offers recommendations for improving safety practices to reduce accidents and fatalities.