Images of safety in construction work - a multiple configureation of cultures

The social partners in the construction industry in Denmark have during recent years agreed to focus on a reduction of the too high accident rates within this sector. Thus, the scene is set to generate deeper understandings on how risks and accident prevention are conceived and handled at construction sites, and to gain experiences of appropriate measures aiming at “bending the curve” downwards. In ongoing research we have focussed on safety culture, conceptualised as a specific aspect of organisational culture, referring to an interpretive, symbolic framework. In depth ethnographic methods have been applied in a preliminary case study at a construction site in Copenhagen. This study illustrates the existence of a multiple configuration of differentiated and ambiguous safety cultures, which put barriers to effectively prevention of occupational accidents. The conclusion is that applying action research, oriented towards the creation and recreation of safety cultures from a learning perspective is useful, aiming at good practices. This research is on going.