Barriers to Effective Implementation of Safety Management Systems in Small Construction Sites

Abstract

Small construction sites form a significant portion of India’s building sector and are particularly vulnerable to safety hazards due to resource constraints, informal practices, and inconsistent regulatory oversight. Implementing effective safety management systems (SMS) in these environments is crucial for reducing accidents and improving project outcomes; yet, such adoption remains limited. This study investigates the primary barriers to SMS implementation through a four-fold approach: a systematic literature review of reputed journal articles published; quantitative frequency analysis of cited barriers across these studies; a stakeholder survey involving 43 professionals, including project managers, supervisors, contractors, and workers; and

(comparative analysis of documented literature studies with stakeholder perceptions to identify alignment and divergence between theory and practice. The literature review identified financial constraints (85%), cultural resistance (70%), training deficits (60%), regulatory gaps (50%), and technological limitations (40%) as the most prevalent barriers to implementation. Stakeholder feedback confirmed financial challenges as the dominant concern (50%), but assigned lower priority to cultural (20%) and regulatory issues (10%), highlighting a perceptual gap. Comparative analysis revealed strong alignment on economic barriers but notable divergence in recognising cultural and systemic constraints. The findings underline the need for a multifaceted intervention strategy. Immediate measures should include targeted financial support for small contractors, affordable and locally delivered training programs, and practical awareness initiatives to shift on-site cultural attitudes. Long-term reforms should focus on simplifying SMS regulatory frameworks and ensuring consistent enforcement. This integrated approach addresses both short-term operational constraints and structural factors, offering a realistic pathway to safer and more sustainable practices on India's small construction sites.