Occupational health and safety and corporate social responsibility

in this chapter the concept of corporate social responsibilty (CSR) is explored, and it is argued that occupational health and safety (OH&S) is an essential component of CSR, as employees, including subcontractors, are key stakeholders whose interests must be accommodated by construction organisations. The moral dimension of OH&S is highlighted, and the provision of a healthy and safe work environment as a basic human right is motivated. It is argued that contruction organisations need to develop organisational cultures that are ethical and supportive of OH&S. Furthermore, it is suggested that evolving such cultures requires more than the establishment of formal OH&S management systems, and the OH&S must become an embedded value and part of the organisational culture