16317 Risk and Safety Management

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: School of the Built Environment
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 16912 Construction Project Management Principles
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This is a core subject normally undertaken in the third year of the Bachelor of Construction Project Management. This subject provides a framework for the management of Work, Health & Safety (WHS) and risk on construction projects. Safety is one of the most important issues on construction projects and there are stringent legal obligations placed on contractors and construction managers through Work, Health & Safety legislation and other legislation/codes of practice. These requirements are examined in detail as are concomitant workers compensation and insurance obligations. Management practices to ensure and maintain a safe working place throughout the course of a project are covered and students are presented with the many issues, challenges and problems that are faced in achieving this. Effective risk management practices are at the core of safety management and the integration of the two is investigated. The subject provides an overview of project risk management generally and the main theories of risk causation and implications for management. The techniques and methods used for risk identification, evaluation and response are examined in detail and contextualised to cover the risks typically faced by project stakeholders (including safety). Students are challenged to develop project risk management systems including methods of monitoring and controlling risks.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1.	Understand the processes involved in the PMBOK Competency Unit for Project Risk Management
2.	Demonstrate an understanding of the main safety legislative requirements for construction projects
3.	Outline the main project management principles, responsibilities and procedures in relation to risk and safety management
4.	Recognise the inter-relationship between risk and safety management on projects
5.	Recognise the main factors affecting safety on construction projects
6.	Manage a construction project in a safe manner and meet legislative requirements
7.	Identify and reduce the impact of risk on construction projects
8.	Prepare a risk and safety management plan for a medium sized project
9.	Discuss the main issues and challenges for risk and safety management including international perspectives and differences

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:

Identify ethical issues and apply informed ethical judgements in professional Contexts. (A.1)
Critically analyse and reflect on communication and engagement practices to inform professional capabilities to work effectively for and with Indigenous Australians across construction contexts. (A.3)
Work effectively in project teams in professional contexts. (C.2)
Ability to provide and utilise innovative and creative solutions to industry/project issues and problems. (I.1)
Adaptability to changing processes, developments, methodologies and technologies in built environment contexts. (I.2)
Operate effectively within the social, legal and technical framework of the design and construction process. (P.1)
Apply the body of knowledge underpinning construction project management practice. (P.2)
Analyse and advise on alternative design solutions to promote the achievement of value on projects. (P.7)
Advise on appropriate procurement options and effectively manage contracts. (P.8)
Source evaluate and use information to approach new projects/problems. (R.1)
Critically analyse, structure and report the results of a research project. (R.2)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:

C = communication and groupwork

A = attitudes and values

P = practical and professional

R = research and critique

I = innovation and creativity.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).

Teaching and learning strategies

The learning activities in this subject involve a variety of online lectures & other online activities combined with on campus discussions, tutorials & group work & independent research and examination. Lectures involve online content delivery employing the use of media and electronic resources to enhance the theoretical delivery of the subject. Guest presentations from industry practitioners will be utilised to demonstrate current practical applications of subject content.

Emphasis will be placed on independent student pre-reading of subject material to facilitate greater understanding of each lecture topic area and fruitful class discussion on key issues. Significant time is devoted to pre-reading essays, quizzes and tutorial exercises which form part of the formal assessment of this subject and provide an opportunity for regular summative feedback to students on their understanding of the subject material. A final 'take-home' examination will be utilised to assess student understanding of the subject content.

The tutorial program utilises case studies, student group work and experiential exercises to link theory and application. Students are further supported through the use of 'UTS Canvas' offering subject material and information and moderation with the subject coordinator. The tutorial program offers students an opportunity to receive regular formative feedback on their understanding of the subject material.

The research component will involve students undertaking a group case study of a project that will include personal critique and evaluation as well as research for the final examination.

Students will have several opportunities to receive feedback during the subject. The feedback provided will vary in form, purpose and in its degree of formality.

Formative feedback will be provided during the learning process, typically provided verbally by the subject's teaching staff. It will address the content of work and a student's approach to learning, both in general and more specific ‘assessment orientated’ terms. It is designed to help students improve their performance in time for the submission of an assessment item. For this to occur students need to respond constructively to discussions, presentations and industry interactions.

Summative feedback is provided with all assessed work and focuses on assessment outcomes. It is used to indicate how successfully a student has performed in terms of specific assessment criteria.

Essays, quizzes, class work, report writing and examination assessments are utilised to assess a student’s understanding of subject content. Grades are published online in UTS Canvas.

Content (topics)

Overview of risk and safety management on construction projects
PMBOK Competency Units/Knowledge Areas in Project Risk Management
Risk Management Approaches & Methodologies
Risk Identification, Evaluation, Analysis and Treatment
Risk Response, Crisis Management & Recovery
Risk and Opportunity Management
Insurance and Workers Compensation Schemes
Software Applications and Systems
Safety on Construction Projects
Work, Health and Safety Theory
Work, Health and Safety Legislation & Codes of Practice
Work, Health and Safety Practice
Establishing, maintaining and managing a safe construction site
Site Safety Supervision
Contemporary issues and challenges

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Class Work (individual & group) - Class Essays, Quizzes, Group Work & Tutorial Exercises

Intent:

The purpose of this assessment task is to ensure that students are learning on a weekly basis
through weekly pre-reading of subject material and a variety of weekly tutorial activities relating to the subject topics.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

A.1, C.2, I.2 and P.2

Type:

Quiz/test

Groupwork:

Individual

Weight:

40%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Demonstrate understanding of PMBoK defined project risk management process	15	1	A.1
Demonstrate understanding of construction safety legislation	15	2	C.2
Demonstrate understanding of how project risk and safety are managed in the construction context	14	3	I.2
Demonstrate understanding of the interaction between project risk and safety management	14	4	P.2
Demonstrate ability to identify safety risk factors on construction projects	14	5	P.2
Demonstrate understanding of how to develop risk management plans	14	7	P.2
Demonstrate understanding of how to document risk management plans	14	8	P.2

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Technical Report (group) - Risk Management Technical Report

Intent:

The purpose of this assessment task is for students to understand what is required to develop technical industry reports and effective risk and safety management plans on construction projects and to demonstrate this understanding by developing a technical risk and safety management report on an actual construction project.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

C.2, I.1, P.2, R.1 and R.2

Type:

Report

Groupwork:

Group, group assessed

Weight:

30%

Length:

15-20 Pages (excluding appendices)

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Demonstrate understanding of PMBoK defined project risk management process	12	1	C.2
Demonstrate understanding of construction safety legislation	11	2	P.2
Demonstrate understanding of how project risk and safety are managed in the construction context	11	3	R.1
Demonstrate understanding of the interaction between project risk and safety management	11	4	R.2
Demonstrate ability to identify safety risk factors on construction projects	11	5	I.1
Demonstrate understanding of the impact of safety legislation on construction project management	11	6	R.1
Demonstrate understanding of how to develop risk management plans	11	7	R.1
Demonstrate understanding of how to document risk management plans	11	8	R.2
Demonstrate ability to compare and contrast safety management practices in an international context	11	9	R.1

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Take-Home Exam - Open Book

Intent:

The purpose of this assessment task is to assess student understanding of the subject content.
Exam questions will focus on students being able to clearly explain key aspects of the subject
content, effectively evaluate industry case scenarios, identify and critically analyse key industry
issues/problems and to put forward recommendations and strategies to address these
issues/problems.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

A.1, A.3, I.1, P.1, P.2, P.7, P.8 and R.1

Type:

Examination

Groupwork:

Individual

Weight:

30%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Demonstrate understanding of PMBoK defined project risk management process	12	1	A.1
Demonstrate understanding of construction safety legislation	11	2	A.3
Demonstrate understanding of how project risk and safety are managed in the construction context	11	3	P.1
Demonstrate understanding of the interaction between project risk and safety management	11	4	P.2
Demonstrate ability to identify safety risk factors on construction projects	11	5	P.7
Demonstrate understanding of the impact of safety legislation on construction project management	11	6	P.8
Demonstrate understanding of how to develop risk management plans	11	7	R.1
Demonstrate understanding of how to document risk management plans	11	8	P.2
Demonstrate ability to compare and contrast safety management practices in an international context	11	9	I.1

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

The DAB attendance policy requires students to attend no less than 80% of formal teaching sessions for each class they are enrolled in to remain eligible for assessment.

Required texts

1. Loosemore, M., Raftery, J., Reilly, C. & Higgon, D. (2006), Risk Management in Projects, 2nd Ed., Taylor & Francis,
London (free copy can be dowloaded from the UTS Library website)

2. AS ISO 31000-2018 Risk Management - Guidelines (copy can be downloaded from UTS Library website)

3. Selected Readings (copies will be provided online during the semester)

Other resources

1. PMI (2021), A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) 7th Ed & The Standard for Project Management,
?Project Management Institute
2. IEC 31010:2019, Risk management — Risk Assessment Techniques, IEC & ISO
3. Burtonshaw-Gunn, S.A. (2017), Risk and Financial Management in Construction, 1st Edition, Routledge
4. Zou, P. & Sunindijo, R. (2015), Strategic Safety Management in Construction and Engineering, Wiley-Blackwell
5. Standards Australia (2017), HB 205-2017: Managing Health & Safety Related Risk Handbook, Standards Australia, Sydney