Copyright © 2013 IJEIR, All right reserved 249 International Journal of Engineering Innovation & Research Volume 2, Issue 3, ISSN: 2277 – 5668 Safety of Construction in Projects in Jordan Mohmd Sarireh m.sarireh@ttu.edu.jo Sultan Tarawneh sultan@mutah.edu.jo Abstract – Safety is very crucial for construction in Jordan. Safety should be a priority for all project parties. However, using low quality materials or following cheap process in construction will result in violation of the safety rules and regulations and finally in unpleased accident. The aim of this study is to test the current performance and conditions of safety in construction projects in Jordan, resource of dangers and hazards in construction, and cost of accident and delay in project due to worker leave, injury, and fatality. A safety questionnaire was prepared through consulting contractors and consultants in construction in Jordan. Then data were collected through distributing One hundred and sixty copies of the questionnaire filled by contractors, consultants, engineers, and superintendents in construction projects. The response rate is 29% therefore, 46 questionnaires were received and analyzed. Responses include information about companies and projects, safety equipment available and used, the roles of project parties in safety process, features and conditions of safety, and types and causes of accidents usually happen in construction sites. The study indicates that the construction accidents are due the violation of safety rules and regulations, the absence of training programs, lack of safety meetings, lectures provided to workers, the improper construction conditions, low quality of equipment used and the absence of testing by a specialized safety team in project site. Results of research show that in 69% of cases contractors pays for safety cost, in 68% of cases safety tools are available but not used in 44.4% of cases. Excavation is the most danger work in projects, collapse happened in 68% of cases reported. A simple accident can result in JD520 as cost, and a worker leave of 1 week at least. Construction companies in class 2 has good safety performance (80% safety tools are available and used, 60% training program is provided), followed by 1 st class, 4 th class, and 3 rd class companies. The paper results are helpful for construction sector and construction parties are urged to give safety a high priority to avoid additional cost and delay and critical injuries, disabilities or fatalities for their workers. Keywords - Construction Safety, Safety Rules, Jordanian Project Safety, Safety Cost. I. INTRODUCTION The number of construction firms and companies increased from 1,531 in 2006, to 1,697 in 2007, and to 2,023 in 2008. Construction companies employing about 80,000 of Jordanian labor force and about 300,000 of foreign labor force. They are supporting the national gross product of 4% of total economic activities [1]. Safety of construction in Jordan is an important aspect of sector like everywhere in the world. Institutes such as Ministry of Labor, Vocational Training Cooperation, Department of Statistics, National Center for Human Resources Development, Social Security Corporation, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Higher Education have access to guide and organize and have partial control on labor market. Human resources and construction operations have insufficient concentration on safety provision and practice. Upon years safety issues has improved as construction sector showed an investment incentives and beneficial outcomes for clients and operators. Governments started to put new regulations and rules for safety practices responding to the development of construction sector. By the law enforcing, construction companies started taking safety action plans on their own sites and projects, in addition to measures for pro protections and on time protection when accidents happen at project site. No period or term of construction is free from accidents that have injuries at least, especially in civil building projects as they are less controlled than contractors building projects. To distinguish between two types of construction in safety provision, a questionnaire was developed and directed toward contractor's civil builders to answer questions on safety issues and successful safety practices. The results came in the form of recommendations that constructions sector needs to adopt safety practices and measures to keep its competency and profitability [2] In United States, construction safety is more organized to have the control on occupational health and safety in construction sites and production plants by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). OSHA has the right to inspect and test against any violation for any rule or regulation covered and enforced by law. In addition all sites have to report any accident case happens in site for the record and analysis by OSHA. What is found in United States in safety rules and practices are not found in developing countries and are not sensed by all project parties (contractors, sub-contractors, client or owner, and operator). The construction sector has no permanent and safe opportunities of employment for workers. Especially for workers they do not have skills or less skilled or employees has no secure jobs or at permanent basis with well paid periodical income. In this working environment, employees will not have any chance for training or application of any safety provisions in site, which obligates project parties to have responsibility for safety practices and self inspection by workers and superintendents for job sites against any hot spots or hazards [3]. Contractors has the willing to adopt a qualified safety system for work environment (QES), as this system include practices that increase their profit and competency by encouraging accident-free work zone. Also, customers and operators (clients and owners) will be encouraged and satisfied in investing in construction sector as it does not have any violation for the environment and safety rules and regulations. The adoption of successful QES will result in an accepted quality with lesser cost and larger productivity. The supervision that employs qualitative and