Quantifying the impact index of key barriers to safety program initiatives in the Iraqi construction industry

Purpose Safety program initiatives in the construction industry remain below the desired level, especially in developing countries, and the reasons for low adoption are not well established. This study aims to investigate and quantify the impact levels of the key barriers to safety program initiatives in the construction industry in Iraq. Design/methodology/approach The study used a multi-method research design to assess the barriers to safety program initiatives in the construction industry in Iraq. Initially, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify potential barriers. Following this, semi-structured interviews with construction professionals were conducted to gather in-depth insights. Thematic analysis was then applied to analyze the results of these interviews. Subsequently, a questionnaire survey was developed based on the findings from the literature review and interviews to quantitatively measure the impact of the identified barriers among a broader group of construction professionals. Finally, a fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) was used to assess the overall impact of these barriers comprehensively. Findings The results showed that the top three key barriers to the implementation of construction safety programs in Iraq include tight project schedules, inadequate commitment to safety and the lack of safety rules and policies. A FSE indicated that each group of barriers, including unsupportive industry norms, poor safety awareness, an unconducive work climate and poor governance, significantly hinders safety program implementation in the Iraqi construction industry. Research limitations/implications The study was conducted in the construction industry of Iraq, specifically focusing on Baghdad, Anbar, Basra and Erbil governorates, as these cities are prominent within the country. In addition, this research exclusively captured the perspectives of construction consultants, contractors and clients. Practical implications The findings suggest that improving supportive and safety-aware industry norms, increasing safety awareness, generating a safe work climate and culture and improving safety governance can significantly influence the widespread adoption of safety programs in the construction industry. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this constitutes the first study to quantify the impact levels of barriers to construction safety program initiatives in developing countries. It provides additional insight to promote a safer construction industry. Moreover, the findings can notably be used by construction practitioners and policymakers to develop and successfully implement safety programs in construction. Originality/value This study aims to develop an assessment model for identifying the primary barriers to safety program initiatives within the construction industry of developing countries, exploring deeper into the barriers that impede the adoption of safety programs in construction, and providing valuable insights that could serve as a foundation for crafting strategies to enhance safety program initiatives within the industry.