Les grands groupes de l'industrie de la construction souhaitent intégrer le concept de prévention au sein de leurs organisations en recherchant des améliorations techniques et organisationnelles et en déployant des méthodes tantôt coercitives, tantôt participatives visant une maîtrise du facteur humain. L'objectif de cette industrie est de contrôler les risques inhérents aux chantiers dont il est possible de déterminer plusieurs classifications. Le point commun de ces dernières est leur finalité, c'est-à-dire établir une liste exhaustive d'un ensemble infini selon des critères variables. Après avoir analysé les différents facteurs influençant sur la genèse des risques dans un environnement aussi particulier qu'est celui des chantiers de bâtiment, nous proposons un modèle dynamique d'appréhension des risques et d'aide à la décision reposant sur la mobilisation de la TNI et de la théorie des représentations sociales. Plus spécifiquement, en considérant les propriétés des risques « émergents » actuels, nous nous interrogeons sur la pertinence des moyens mis en œuvre par l'organisation pour permettre leur intégration. / The major companies of the construction industry wish to integrate the concept of prevention within their organizations by seeking technical and organizational improvements and by implementing coercive or participatory methods whose goal is to deal with the human factor. This industry aims at controlling the risks inherent to the construction sites of which several classifications can be determined. Those classifications have in common their purpose, which is to draw up an exhaustive list from an infinite set according to variable criteria. After analyzing the different factors that influence the genesis of the risks in such a specific environment as the building sites, we propose a dynamic model for risk understanding and decision-making, based on the mobilization of the TNI and the Theory of social representations More specifically, considering the characteristics of the current emerging risks, we wonder about the relevance of the means implemented by the organization towards their integration.

The middle manager situation is sometimes squeezed between requirements from different parties at the same time as they are crucial for the development of the organization. Masters, chief engineers and managers in the catering department onboard are middle managers squeezed between the office requirements and the working conditions of their crew. The purpose of this study was to look into the middle managers conditions with focus on the work for good working environment onboard ships in the commercial shipping industry. A study was made consisting of two main parts, first a literature review and secondly focus group interviews. The literature review looked for findings about the middle managers work for occupational health and safety, which were mostly about industries and organisations ashore. These findings were tested in the focus groups in order to find out if they applied also for the commercial shipping industry and if there are any special things to consider there. The focus group members were of both genders, from different management positions and companies within the Swedish commercial shipping industry. So what recommendations can be made in order to improve the middle managers work for a good working environment or occupational health and safety (OHS)? Recommendations are given about competence, staff engagement, policies, shared leadership and administrative workload. Three findings are suggested for further research, shared leadership, administrative workload and client pressure. It is interesting that the type of shared leadership that are found onboard seems to be rather unique for the commercial shipping industry.

The thesis aims to introduce the issue of health and safety in construction. The issue of safety at work is explained in the first part of the theoretical part. Problems of hygiene are explained in the second part. The practical part deals with the mapping of the situation in the construction industry and occupational health and safety plan.

Ce mémoire met en perspective plusieurs facteurs de risque en matière de santé et sécurité au travail (SST) qui sont importants pour les travailleurs, soit la formation SST (pas toujours adéquate, pertinente ou suffisante), le peu d’expérience des jeunes travailleurs, le fait de travailler dans de petites et moyennes entreprises du secteur de la construction et de la fabrication connexe, tout en tenant compte des impératifs imposés par la pandémie liée à la COVID-19. La recherche vise à identifier et à explorer les facilitateurs et les obstacles à la formation SST en entreprise dans ce contexte bien particulier. Pour ce faire, des entretiens ont été réalisés avec des jeunes travailleurs de ce secteur d’activité (n=6), des gestionnaires des ressources humaines (n=3) des trois entreprises participantes et un formateur (n=1) du cours Santé et sécurité générale sur les chantiers de construction. Les guides d’entrevues ont été développés pour discuter des facteurs individuels, organisationnels, liés à la formation et temporels jugés les plus pertinents dans des concepts théoriques et des modèles liés à la formation. En général, il semble que les jeunes travailleurs des secteurs de la construction sont sensibilisés aux enjeux et à la formation SST, et plus enclins à acquérir ces connaissances que les travailleurs plus expérimentés. Cependant, les jeunes travailleurs peuvent plus difficilement imaginer l'application concrète d'une nouvelle connaissance SST, et ainsi adopter un comportement sécuritaire en conséquence, en raison de leur expérience plus limitée et leur connaissance plus restreinte de la tâche. Dans l’ensemble, on constate que les travailleurs sont plus ou moins indifférents pour ce qui est de la SST et s’y conformeraient sans se poser de questions; ils auraient aussi la perception que la SST pourrait être améliorée, sans toutefois préciser la façon dont cela pourrait se faire. Cependant, ceux qui s’y intéressent auraient davantage tendance à mieux effectuer les tâches assignées de manière sécuritaire. Ceci soulève également l’importance de sensibiliser chaque travailleur à l’importance de sa tâche individuelle, qui se répercute sur l’ensemble des autres travailleurs et de l’organisation. Quant à l'application des mesures sanitaires liées à la COVID-19, à l’exception d’un répondant, tous les travailleurs participants ont jugé que la formation était pertinente et qu'ils savaient appliquer ces mesures dans leurs tâches quotidiennes et cela relativement facilement. / This master’s thesis puts into perspective several occupational health and safety (OHS) risk factors that are important to workers, namely OHS training (not always adequate, relevant or sufficient), the lack of experience of young workers, working in small and medium-sized companies in the construction and related manufacturing sector, while taking into account the imperatives imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of the research is to identify and explore the facilitators and barriers to company-based OHS training in this particular context. To do this, interviews were conducted with young workers in this sector of activity (n=6), human resources managers (n=3) from the three participating companies, and a trainer (n=1) of the Santé et sécurité générale sur les chantiers de construction course (General Health and Safety on Construction Sites course). Interview guides were developed to discuss the individual, organisational, time-related and training-related factors identified as most relevant in theoretical concepts and models related to training. In general, it appears that young workers in the construction sectors are aware of OHS issues and training, and more willing to acquire this knowledge than more experienced workers. However, it is more difficult for young workers to imagine the concrete application of new OHS knowledge, and thus adopt safe behaviour accordingly, due to their more limited experience and knowledge of the task. Overall, workers were found to be more or less indifferent to OHS and would comply without question; they would also perceive that OHS could be improved, but would not specify how this could be done. However, those who were interested were more likely to do their assigned tasks in a better and safer manner. This also raises the importance of making each worker aware of the importance of his or her individual task, which has an impact on all other workers and the organisation. With regard to the application of health measures related to COVID-19, with the exception of one respondent, all participating workers felt that the training was relevant and that they knew how to apply these measures in their daily tasks relatively easily.

Background: Swedish law demands a systematic work environment management system (SWEM) and establishes the employer as responsible for this. In 2016, 44 % of Swedish Work Environment Authorities’ submissions regarded lack of SWEM. The law defines occupational health and safety services (OHSS) as an objective part with expert knowledge within the fields of work environment and rehabilitation. Aim of the study: The purpose of this study is to investigate how OHS engineers employed in OHSSs assist customer enterprises in the work of developing and maintaining OHS management systems. The study further aims to identify resources, factors of success, necessary skills and other factors that facilitate this work. Method: Six semi-structured interviews were conducted with OHS engineers employed in one of the top five largest OHSS companies in Sweden. Result and analyses: Respondents were found to apply similar methods in supporting clients’ OHSM although working in different regional branches and no nationwide training program exists. In working with OHSM support the OHS engineers mainly used self-produced, flexible tools along with external checklists and templates. Dialogue, an active involvement of the client in developing the OHSMS, internal motivation of the company and experience and competence of the OHS engineer was described as the most essential factors of success. Conclusions: Our study shows that the OHS engineers interviewed to a large extent work with OHSM support in a way that is consistent with what is found in other studies to be a successful way of collaborating with client companies. Areas of improvement for the OHSS company include deepening relations with clients, contracts better supporting collaboration and procedures for spotting client’s OHSM shortcomings earlier.There is a challenge to find a balance between giving OHS engineers freedom in choosing how they work, providing clients flexible solutions and assuring that certain standards of service are met.We identify the need of a mentorship program for OHS engineers within the OHSS company that would include tutoring both in OHS interventions and the consultant role.Finally, OHS engineers may need to develop their skills in OHS related business economy and how to integrate OHS interventions with the business strategies of the client companies. / Bakgrund: Svensk lagstiftning kräver att arbetsgivare arbetar med systematiskt arbetsmiljöarbete (SAM). Under 2016 ledde 44 % av Arbetsmiljöverkets inspektioner till anmärkningar på grund av brister i SAM. Lagen definierar företagshälsovård (FHV) som en objektiv part med expertkunskap inom arbetsmiljö och rehabilitering. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur arbetsmiljöingenjörer inom FHV hjälper kundföretag med arbetet att utveckla och underhålla ledningssystem för arbetsmiljö. Studien syftar också till att identifiera resurser, framgångsfaktorer, nödvändig kompetens samt andra faktorer som främjar arbetet med SAM. Metod: Sex semi-strukturerade intervjuer utfördes med arbetsmiljöingenjörer anställda i ett av Sveriges fem största företag inom företagshälsovård. Resultat och analys: Respondenterna använde liknande arbetssätt i arbetet med att stötta kunders SAM. Detta trots att de arbetade i olika regioner inom företaget samt avsaknad av nationella riktlinjer. I arbetet med SAM använde arbetsmiljöingenjörerna framförallt egenproducerade, flexibla verktyg samt externa checklistor och mallar. Dialog, aktiv deltagande av kund under utveckling av SAM, intern motivation hos kundföretaget samt erfarenhet och kompetens hos arbetsmiljöingenjören beskrevs som de viktigaste framgångsfaktorerna. Slutsatser: Studien visar att de intervjuade arbetsmiljöingenjörernas arbete med SAM i stor utsträckning överensstämmer med vad andra studier funnit vara ett framgångsrikt samarbete med kundföretag. Förbättringsområden för FHV-företaget inkluderar fördjupande av kundrelationer, kontrakt som bättre stödjer sådant samarbete och rutiner för att upptäcka brister i SAM tidigare.En utmaning är att hitta en lämplig balans mellan arbetsmiljöingenjörens behov av fritt arbetssätt, erbjuda kunden flexibla lösningar och samtidigt säkerställa en likartad service inom företaget.Behov av ett mentorprogram, som inkluderar handledning inom både arbetsmiljöarbete och konsultrollen, för arbetsmiljöingenjörer inom FHV-företaget identifierades.Slutligen kan arbetsmiljöingenjörer behöva utveckla kompetens inom arbetsmiljöekonomi samt hur arbetsmiljöarbetet kan integreras med affärsstrategier inom kundföretagen.

Hybridarbete har medfört fördelar och utmaningar som arbetsgivare behöver uppmärksamma för att främja ett hälsosamt arbete. En hybrid arbetsform kan bidra med det bästa från två världar, distans- och kontorsarbete, förutsatt att arbetsgivare och arbetstagare samverkar för att utveckla nya färdigheter för att anpassa sig till det nya arbetssättet. Denna studie syftar till att skapa en djupare förståelse för den organisatoriska och sociala arbetsmiljön vid hybridarbete. Studien är genomförd med en kvalitativ ansats och materialet har samlats in med hjälp av tio semistrukturerade intervjuer med både medarbetare och chefer inom en svensk offentlig organisation. Studiens metodval är inspirerad av empirisk fenomenologi med ett hermeneutiskt förhållningssätt som syftar till att skapa förståelse. Empirin har tematiserats och analyserats med hjälp av tematisk analys. Studiens resultat visar att den främsta fördelen med hybridarbete är flexibiliteten till att påverka balansen mellan arbete och fritid. Till följd av den hybrida arbetsformen visar resultatet utmaningar i egenskap av minskade fysiska interaktioner med kollegor, digital trötthet, uteblivna pauser samt svårigheter med gränsdragningen mellan arbete och fritid. Resultatet visar att tydliga riktlinjer för hybridarbete får betydelse för hur individen upplever den organisatoriska och sociala arbetsmiljön. Studien konstaterar att tillgång till socialt stöd, delaktighet, dialog, autonomi samt explicita riktlinjer och rutiner som kan anpassas efter individuella behov främjar en god arbetsmiljö. Avslutningsvis presenteras en modell som kan användas av praktikersamhället för att bidra med kunskap om hur känslan av sammanhang (KASAM) främjas i den hybrida arbetsmodellen. / Hybrid work has brought benefits and challenges that employers must observe to promote healthy work among employees. Hybrid working can create the best of both worlds, remote and office work, if employers and workers work together to develop new skills to adapt to the new way of working. This study aims to create a deeper understanding of the organizational and social work environment in hybrid work. The study is conducted with a qualitative approach and the material has been collected using ten semi-structured interviews with employees and managers within a Swedish public organization. The study's choice of method is inspired by empirical phenomenology with a subjective hermeneutic approach that aims to create understanding. The empiricism has been thematized and analyzed using thematic analysis.The results of the study show that the main advantage of hybrid work is increased flexibility regarding the ability to influence the balance between work and leisure. The results also show some possible disadvantages of the hybrid working form, such as reduced physical interactions with colleagues, digital fatigue, missed breaks and difficulties with drawing the line between working time and free time. The results shows that clear guidelines for hybrid work are important for how the individual experiences the organizational and social work environment. The study states that access to social support, participation, dialogue, autonomy and explicit guidelines and routines that can be adapted to individual needs promote a good work environment. Finally, a model is presented that can be used by the practitioner community to contribute knowledge about how the sense of coherence (SOC) is promoted in the hybrid work model.

Health and safety during construction remains a worldwide challenge that the construction industry is facing. The German construction industry recorded an average of 110,000 accidents per year in the period of 2010 to 2019. A discernible trend toward a decrease in occupational accidents is not visible. In this context, traditional safety planning does not seem to be able to guarantee sufficient health and safety during construction. In line with the BIM Roadmap published by the German Ministry of Transport in 2015, it can be recognized that Building Information Modeling (BIM) is supposed to be increasingly used in upcoming years. This paper aims to identify how BIM could positively impact Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) during construction. Therefore, a thesis procedure, combining quantitative and qualitative research with an in depth literature review is introduced. This study reveals a high added value of using BIM for (1) safety rule checking and design validation and (2) safety education, training and communication. BIM as a decision supporting tool has the potential to reduce the underestimation of safety hazards and improve safety reporting, which have been identified as current vulnerabilities in the construction industry. Furthermore, an added benefit to sustainability following the concept of Construction Hazard Prevention through Design (CHPtD) is illustrated. In practice, however, BIM for OSH remains unused, while those working with BIM are not familiar with safety planning. This study indicates that in order to fully utilize the potential of BIM, intuitiveness and standardization is required, while those implementing BIM and those using BIM need to be aware of and willing to exploit the potential of new technologies. The challenge now is to recognize the potential of BIM in relation to OHS and to actively use BIM for health and safety purposes. / Att skapa en säker arbetsmiljö på byggarbetsplatsen är fortfarande en global utmaning för byggbranschen. I den tyska byggbranschen inträffade till exempel i genomsnitt 110 000 olyckor per år under perioden 2010-2019 och det syns ingen märkbar minskning. I detta sammanhang verkar traditionell säkerhetsplanering inte kunna garantera tillräcklig hälsa och säkerhet under byggandet. I samband med den strategiska BIM-implementeringsplanen som publicerades av det tyska transportministeriet 2015 ska Building Information Modeling (BIM) användas i allt större utsträckning under de kommande åren. Syftet med den här artikeln är att identifiera hur BIM skulle kunna ha en positiv inverkan på arbetsmiljö och säkerhet (OHS) på byggarbetsplatsen. Studien kombinerar kvantitativ och kvalitativ forskning med en djupgående litteraturgenomgång. Resultatet visar att det finns ett stort mervärde i att använda BIM för (1) kontroll av säkerhetsregler och validering av konstruktionen och (2) utbildning, träning och kommunikation om säkerhet. BIM som beslutsstöd kan möjliggöra en mer realistisk bedömning av säkerhetsrisker och förbättra säkerhetsrapporteringen, vilket har identifierats som aktuella sårbarheter i byggbranschen. Det finns också fördelar med att implementera konceptet Construction Hazard Prevention through Design (CHPtD). I praktiken är dock BIM för arbetsmiljöfrågor fortfarande oanvänd, samtidigt som de som arbetar med BIM inte är tillräckligt bekanta med säkerhetsaspekter. För att BIM:s potential ska kunna utnyttjas fullt ut krävs en ökad användarvänlighet och standardisering av verktygen. Samtidigt måste de som implementerar och använder BIM vara medvetna om och villiga att utnyttja den nya teknikens potential. Utmaningen är nu att förstå potentialen av BIM för arbetsmiljöaspekter och att proaktivt använda BIM för att öka säkerheten på byggarbetsplatser.

Legislation demands that health and safety of humans at work must be secured. Today, far from every company has a functioning systematic management of occupational health and safety (OHS) in place to fulfill its legal obligations. Instead, other day-to-day tasks appear to have greater priority. The overall aim of this thesis was to investigate prerequisites and possibilities for manufacturing companies to prioritize and manage OHS, with focus on professional roles, company size, safety culture, and financial performance. Four papers (I–IV) are included in this thesis, based on three data collections. A questionnaire measuring the priority accorded to work environment was completed by 249 representatives of 142 manufacturing companies (I & II). Focus group interviews were conducted with 66 workers at a large steel-manufacturing company, discussing their experiences and perceptions of safety and risks at work (III). A questionnaire measuring OHS management practices, safety culture, and priority given to work environment was completed by 280 representatives of 197 manufacturing companies (IV). Information regarding the companies’ financial performance was retrieved from a credit bureau database. The main findings of the four papers demonstrated that profitability was considered as the most prioritized interest in the companies (I), and that trade-offs between productivity and safety is an obstacle to working safely (III). Managers generally perceived their companies to prioritize work environment factors more than the safety delegates did (I & IV). Perceptions of work environment priority did, however, not differ depending on company size (II & IV). Responsibility for safety was perceived to rest on the individual to the largest extent, and risk-taking was believed to originate from a combination of individual factors and external circumstances in the work environment (III). Larger company size, positive safety culture, and low risk in creditworthiness were found to be associated with better OHS management practices in companies (IV). Correspondingly, smaller company size, negative safety culture, and high risk in creditworthiness were found to be associated with worse OHS management practices. In summary, structural, social, and financial aspects seem to be important in companies’ possibilities for prioritizing and managing OHS. Recommendations for industry and future research are discussed. / Arbetsmiljölagen kräver att människors hälsa och säkerhet på arbetet ska tryggas genom att risker kontinuerligt ska bedömas och åtgärdas. Många företag saknar idag ett fungerande systematiskt arbetsmiljöarbete (SAM) som uppfyller lagens krav fullt ut. Istället tycks andra dagliga aktiviteter ha högre prioritet. Det övergripande syftet med denna avhandling var att undersöka förutsättningar och möjligheter för tillverkande företag att prioritera och arbeta med säkerheten och arbetsmiljön; med särskilt fokus på yrkesroller, företagsstorlek, säkerhetskultur och finansiella nyckeltal. Fyra delstudier (I–IV) ingår i denna avhandling, vilka är baserade på tre datainsamlingar. En enkät som mätte arbetsmiljöprioritering besvarades av 249 representanter vid 142 tillverkande företag (I & II). Fokusgruppintervjuer genomfördes med 66 arbetare på ett stort ståltillverkningsföretag, där deras erfarenheter och uppfattningar om säkerhet och risker i arbetet diskuterades (III). En enkät som mätte SAM, säkerhetskultur och arbetsmiljöprioritering besvarades av 280 representanter vid 197 tillverkande företag (IV). Information om företagens finansiella nyckeltal hämtades från ett kreditupplysningsföretag. De viktigaste resultaten från de fyra delstudierna kan bland annat sammanfattas med att lönsamheten uppfattades vara det mest prioriterade intresset vid företagen (I), och att avvägningar mellan produktivitet och säkerhet ansågs vara ett hinder för att kunna arbeta på ett säkert sätt (III). Chefer uppfattade generellt att arbetsmiljön prioriterades mer på företagen än vad skyddsombuden gjorde (I & IV). Uppfattningar om arbetsmiljöprioritering skiljde sig dock inte åt beroende på företagsstorlek (II & IV). Ansvaret för säkerheten på arbetet ansågs främst vila hos den enskilda individen, och risktagande betraktades komma ur en kombination av individuella faktorer och yttre omständigheter i arbetsmiljön (III). Att vara ett större företag, ha positiv säkerhetskultur och hög kreditvärdighet visade sig ha samband med att också ha ett bättre utvecklat SAM (IV). På motsvarande sätt, att vara ett mindre företag, ha negativ säkerhetskultur och låg kreditvärdighet befanns ha samband med att också ha ett sämre utvecklat SAM. Sammanfattningsvis verkar därmed strukturella, sociala såväl som ekonomiska aspekter vara väsentliga för företags möjligheter att prioritera och arbeta med säkerheten och arbetsmiljön. Detta ger uppslag till rekommendationer för industrin samt vidare forskning. / Das Arbeitsschutzgesetz verlangt, dass die Sicherheit und Gesundheit (SG) von Menschen am Arbeitsplatz gewährleistet werden muss, indem Risiken kontinuierlich überprüft und behoben werden. Vielen Unternehmen fehlt heutzutage eine systematische Handhabung von SG, die den gesetzlichen Anforderungen vollständig entspricht. Stattdessen scheinen andere alltägliche Tätigkeiten eine höhere Priorität zu haben. Das übergeordnete Ziel der vorliegenden Abhandlung war es zu untersuchen, welche Voraussetzungen und Möglichkeiten herstellende Unternehmen besitzen, SG am Arbeitsplatz zu priorisieren und handzuhaben – unter besonderer Berücksichtigung von Berufsrollen, Unternehmensgröße, Sicherheitskultur und Finanzleistungen. Die vorliegende Abhandlung besteht aus vier Teilstudien (I–IV), die auf drei Datensammlungen basieren. Die Priorisierung von SG wurde mit einem Fragebogen untersucht, der von 249 Vertretern aus 142 herstellenden Unternehmen beantwortet wurde (I & II). Fokusgruppeninterviews wurden mit 66 Arbeitern eines großen Stahlherstellers durchgeführt, in welchen die Arbeiter ihre Erfahrungen und Wahrnehmungen von Sicherheit und Berufsrisiken diskutierten (III). Ein weiterer Fragebogen enthielt Fragen zur systematischen Handhabung von SG, Sicherheitskultur und Priorisierung von SG und wurde von 280 Vertretern aus 197 herstellenden Unternehmen beantwortet (IV). Angaben zu den Finanzleistungen der Unternehmen wurden einem öffentlichen Register entnommen. Die wichtigsten Ergebnisse der vier Teilstudien können unter anderem damit zusammengefasst werden, dass die Rentabilität des Unternehmens als höchste Priorität wahrgenommen wurde (I) und dass Kompromisse zwischen Produktivität und Sicherheit als Hindernis für eine sichere Arbeitsweise beurteilt wurden (III). Manager waren im Allgemeinen häufiger als die Sicherheitsbeauftragten der Unternehmen der Auffassung, dass SG priorisiert werden (I & IV). Der Unterschied in der Wahrnehmung der Prioritätensetzung hing jedoch nicht von der Unternehmensgröße ab (II & IV). Sicherheit am Arbeitsplatz wurde in erster Linie als die Verantwortung des einzelnen Mitarbeiters angesehen und das Eingehen von Risiken als eine Kombination aus individuellen Faktoren und äußeren Umständen im Arbeitsumfeld beurteilt (III). Ein großes Unternehmen zu sein, eine positive Sicherheitskultur zu haben und niedriges Risiko in der Kreditwürdigkeit, erwies sich mit einer besser entwickelten systematischen Handhabung von SG in Zusammenhang zu stehen (IV). Dementsprechend erwies es sich, dass kleine Unternehmen, eine negative Sicherheitskultur und hohes Risiko in der Kreditwürdigkeit, mit einer schlechter entwickelten systematischen Handhabung von SG in Zusammenhang stehen. Zusammenfassend scheinen also strukturelle, soziale und finanzielle Aspekte grundlegend dafür zu sein, ob ein Unternehmen die Möglichkeit hat, SG zu priorisieren und zu handhaben. Dies dient als Vorlage für Empfehlungen für die Industrie und zukünftige Forschung.

The subjects of the thesis are chosen parts of the building technological project for the preparation and realization of the terraced family houses in Svitavy. The solution includes The study of the main technological stages realization, Time schedule and financial plan, The project of the site facilities including design of the main hoisting mechanism. The realization of ceiling construction is described in detail by The technological prescription. The solution also includes a proposal of local and utility roads repairs on the streets Gorkého and U Studeného potoka.

Occupational Health and Safety focuses on the well-being of individuals or groups of people in the workplace. Barnett-Schuster (2008:1) states that Occupational Health and Safety is a concept compiled from many different disciplines. Among others, it includes: biological hazards, physical hazards, chemical hazards, mechanical/electrical hazards and psycho-social hazards. The employer has to understand that Occupational Health and Safety should follow a holistic approach. Occupational Health and Safety is a Constitutional imperative – a command, - not a request. Chapter 2 of the Constitution of South Africa no. 108 of 1996, The Bill of Rights provides protection to such an extent that human dignity may remain intact. Therefore, compliance with Occupational Health and Safety legislation is of cardinal value to any organization or business. An organization or business can also improve their financial standing and public image by complying with Occupational Health and Safety legislation. Occupational Health and Safety in the workplace is guided by the Occupational Health and Safety Act of South Africa no. 85 of 1993, which was implemented in 1994. The Occupational Health and Safety Act further aims to present clear explanations on concepts related to Health and Safety and enables both employers and employees to gain an understanding of their distinct responsibilities. Occupational Health and Safety is a concept that has been around for decades – especially focusing on the mining sector of South Africa. Occupational Health and Safety is observed in the South African technical schools. Statistics from the Children’s Institute show that 350 000 of these children are currently not attending school. In most cases, many parents/guardians do not take the time to assess the safety of their children at school before enrolling their child. This assessment should not only be looking at security measures applied in the school, but if and how true Occupational Health and Safety measures are in place. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is measures put in place so that learners/children are free from risk, injury, disease or harm. The lack of Occupational Health and Safety in South African schools is in direct conflict with the Constitution of South Africa. As stated earlier, Occupational Health and Safety is a Constitutional imperative which is the responsibility and the right of each individual in South Africa. The lack of Occupational Health and Safety in South African schools is a human rights issue based on the dignity of children. The lack of Occupational Health and Safety in South African schools can be seen as a policy flaw. This study intends to create a holistic view of the managing and implementing Occupational Health and Safety in the South African school environment. Occupational Health and Safety is an integral part of teaching and learning. The research problem addressed in this study is: “How School Management Teams (SMT) experience, manage and implement Occupational Health and Safety policies in South African schools?”. The main aim of the research is to investigate how School Management Teams (SMT) experience, manage and implement Occupational Health and Safety policies in South African schools. By exploring Occupational Health and Safety in South African schools, this study would strive to obtain clarity on whether enough is being done to ensure the health and safety of learners in the school environment by means to explore the current Occupational Health and Safety management in the South African schools, identify the guidance provided on the Occupational Health and Safety implementation policy, investigate provisions for continual assessment of the process of the Occupational Health and Safety policy and provide recommendations for the lack of Occupational Health and Safety in South African schools. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)