Assignment 2: Discussion Paper on Infrastructure Risk Management

This discussion paper examines risk management strategies within the context of infrastructure development and civil engineering projects. The paper begins with an introduction that clearly states the purpose of the paper, explains key concepts and terminologies, provides background information, highlights the significance of the topic, and outlines the structure of the paper. The literature review section discusses various scholars' perspectives on risk management. It addresses the definition of risk, the importance of risk management, and common risks in building and civil engineering projects. The paper then examines the potential impacts of these risks and discusses strategies for their management. A case study of the British Airways Authority (Terminal Five) illustrates real-world risk management techniques. The paper concludes by summarizing the key findings and emphasizing the importance of a safe and healthy work environment for improved performance and productivity within the construction sector. The paper cites multiple scholarly sources for its analysis.

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Title
Author’s name
Institutional affiliation

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Infrastructure Development
1. Introduction
A number of strategies have been designed by scholars in the field of infrastructure development
in a bid to curb the daily risks experienced in any typical civil engineering and building project.
The major concepts in this discussion revolve around the strategies of mitigating risks involved
in building and construction works in the field of civil engineering. The principal concept
however, is safety and health in construction workplaces. Some of the prevalently employed
terminologies in this article include risk, safety, hazard, health, prevention, risk management
strategies, weaknesses and strengths of these strategies of risk management, and findings, among
others (Hillson, 2012).
This article is a blueprint of some of the risk management strategies employed towards realizing
a conducive, healthy and safe workplace for carrying out various construction projects. It gives
an overview of the most common risks likely to be encountered during construction, particularly
injury from a range of falling objects, mishandling of hazardous components, and cases of fire
breakouts. Safety and health risks are present in every construction company. It is therefore
paramount for the management to design applicable strategies to repress these risks at all costs.
Working in accordance to the comfort of employees is a strategic way of minimizing the risks,
while also maximizing productivity and quality service delivery.
Ensuring a safe and healthy working environment is of remarkable significance, not only to the
workers, but also to those within the vicinity of the construction site as everyone desire safety. All
building and construction firms yearn for safety and health as the key factors in enhancing the
wellbeing of their employees and customers. Fostering safety at our work places is the only
guaranteed measure of ensuring every worker gets back safely after work.

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This topic plays a vital role in controlling health and safety related hazards that are likely to be
experienced in a construction site, or any other work environment. Some of the rampant potential
hazards in building and civil engineering working environments vary from harmful chemical
substances, sharp objects, falling debris, food contamination, outbreak of infectious diseases
following poor hygiene, and poisonous gases, among others (Ken Watts, 2018). It contributes to
the reduction of cases of injuries and avoidable illness of employees by creating awareness on the
necessity of understanding the various potential hazards within the work environment.
It is comprised of varying ideologies portrayed by different scholars, outlining their diverse
concepts of risk management and its impacts. Towards the culmination of this piece, the
conventional risks associated with civil engineering and building projects, as well as their
respective remedies will be examined. The article will incorporate an instance of real-life project
with the intent of portraying the actual risks experienced in any construction project, as well as
the applicable techniques of managing these risks.
2. Literature Review
Different scholars have got varying opinions on the urge for risk management strategies, others
steering its embracement with urgency, as their counterparts consider it a minor concern in the
construction industry. Risk management and prevention remain to be the key concepts within
this article. Prevention strategies may include averting cases of occupational diseases and
instances of accidents within a construction company, and is actually preferred to seeking
solution to a problem that has already occurred (Marco, 2011). Some of the important areas
encompassed in this article are discussed intensively in this section.
Concept of Risk

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The concept of risk with respect to infrastructure development is majorly regarded as the
uncertainty concerning a loss. Speculative risks can result into either profit or loss (Obicci,
2017), whereas pure risks are defined by the sole possibility of a loss. Instances of pure risks
include injuries, accidents, illness, and fire outbreak (Hyatt, 2018). The article will dwell on pure
risks.
Importance of Risk Management
Risk management in a construction firm is important with regard to reducing injuries within the
construction site. Reportedly, a majority of accidental injuries within various construction sites in
year 2015 and 2016 were caused by either falls, trips, or slips (Realyvásquez, 2018). Others
attained injuries from handling and lifting weights, while some from falling over raised heights,
and these can be avoided by embracing risk management. If not amicably resolved, these risks
may result into loss of productive hours and poor service delivery due to dissatisfaction of
workers. All these can however be avoided by developing and embracing relevant risk
management strategies.
These management strategies play a great role in making a business responsible and lawfully
established. Observing the strategies of managing risks protects building and construction firms
from unnecessary fines and banning. Some firms end up compensating injured employees, or
terminating their entire project just by failing to comply with these risk management obligations.
Common Risks in Building and Civil Engineering Projects
The risks associated with working at height are often increased by added access and mobility
restrictions. Training incorporates safety awareness, and is essential for employees required to
work at height. Other risks include moving objects such as lifting devices, noise which may lead

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to hearing impairments, trips, falls, and traps, collapse, and electricity, among others (Ken
Watts, 2018).
Potential Impacts of the Risks
The major impact of the risk management strategies is equipping workers and employers with
not only skills of managing risk, but also with the ability to design various measures of
prevention and control of these risks.
Management of the Risks
Risk management in a construction project is aimed at hindering unnecessary losses whenever
exposed to risk factors such as loss of reputation, accidents, misappropriation of money, loss of
time, and deterioration of assets. These strategies are utilized when drafting, monitoring, and
regulating the possible risks, and at the same time when offering protection from exposure to
these risk factors.
Some of the conventional risk management skills include discerning the hazard (Ivan Mutis,
2018), gauging the magnitude of the hazard, and issuing control initiatives applicable in
managing any lingering risk. Additional prevalent strategies of managing risks include
familiarizing oneself with the surrounding so as to perceive the prevailing hazards, mitigating
work-related stress by alleviating conflicts and pressure, wearing recommended safety garments,
and staying cautious constantly (Vian Ahmed, 2016).
3. Case Study- British Airways Authority (Terminal Five)
The British Airways Authority (BAA) has established a partnering methodology with the
construction project of Terminal 5. It has as a consequence assumed complete responsibility over
both the success and the risks associated with the project, making it a permanent partner (Mr
Adri Köhler, 2012).

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Some of the outstanding risk sources in BAA include a higher evolution degree as the project
runs, limited access of the site entirely through a single route, and a ruined reputation for BAA as
a result of over-run of cost (Mr Adri Köhler, 2012). One major impact of these risks is
tarnishing and lowering the reputation of the BAA, thereby affecting project.
The major risk management strategy embraced by BAA commenced with identification of the
risk and testing for possible solutions, management of the risk at a level that is acceptable and
improvable, and adjustments of the solutions to exceed the risk level (Mr Adri Köhler, 2012).
The major strength of these strategies is the fact that the clients are the ones bearing the risks.
I would recommend that experienced individuals who are capable of handling the risks should be
offered the chance to do the management (Ming Shan, 2019). Project managers should be
employed here as a solution to risk management.
4. Conclusion
The overall purpose of this article is to maximize the understanding of impacts of risks on
building and civil engineering, with the main intent of improving performance and productivity.
Being a depiction of important risk management strategies, this study serves to create a safe and
healthy work environment. The key finding from this study is that quality service delivery and
production in the construction sector can only be achieved when employees are satisfied, and this
is significance with regard to quality production, and should as such be the main take-home
message.

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References
Hillson, D. D., 2012. Managing Risk in Projects. 3 ed. Farnham: Gower Publishing.
Hyatt, N., 2018. Guidelines for Process Hazards Analysis (PHA, HAZOP), Hazards
Identification, and Risk Analysis. 3 ed. Florida: CRC Press.
Ivan Mutis, T. H., 2018. Advances in Informatics and Computing in Civil and Construction
Engineering: Proceedings of the 35th CIB W78 2018 Conference: IT in Design, Construction,
and Management. 5 ed. New York: Springer.
Watts, K. and Andrew, C., 2018. Building on Fill: Geotechnical Aspects. 3 ed. Watford: IHS
BRE Press.
Marco, A. D., 2011. Project Management for Facility Constructions: A Guide for Engineers and
Architects. 4 ed. New york: Springer Science & Business Media.
Ming Shan, Le, Chan, A., 2019. Corruption in the Public Construction Sector: A Holistic View.
4 ed. New York : Springer.
Mr Adri K., Silvius, Schpler and Van Den, B., 2012. Sustainability in Project Management. 3 ed.
Farnham: Gower Publishing.
Obicci, P. A., 2017. Risk Management Strategies in Public-Private Partnerships. 5 ed.
Pennyslavania: IGI Global.
Realyvásquez, A.M., 2018. Advanced Macroergonomics and Sociotechnical Approaches for
Optimal Organizational Performance. 2 ed. Pennyslavania: IGI Global.
Vian Ahmed, A. O., 2016. Research Methodology in the Built Environment: A Selection of Case
Studies. London: Routledge.

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