Obstacles in Safety Management for Railway Infrastructure Construction Projects

Abstract

connectivity. Effective project management not only reduces construction costs and timelines but also minimizes potential safety risks inherent in such activities. This study aims to identify the barriers to effective safety management in railway infrastructure projects and to develop practical guidelines for improving safety practices within Thailand’s railway construction sector. Data were gathered through a structured questionnaire distributed to 230 stakeholders, including project executives, project managers, project engineers, site engineers, professional safety officers, assistant safety officers, and foremen actively involved in railway construction projects across the country. Basic statistical methods and correlation coefficient analysis were employed to analyze the data using the SPSS software. The analysis revealed that barriers to safety management could be grouped into four primary categories, ranked by their significance: (1) shortcomings in on-site safety management, (2) lack of preparedness in safety management practices, (3) deficiencies in safety management knowledge and personnel, and (4) hazardous working environments. These findings offer practical insights and serve as a foundation for enhancing safety management effectiveness in ongoing and future railway infrastructure construction projects across Thailand.