Subcontracting and Injury Rates in Construction

Abstract

This research examines whether the process of extending and articulating subcontracting in construction, which has taken place over the past 40 years, has, controlling for other factors, raised or lowered the risk of injury. One hypothesis is that subcontracting lowers the risk of injury by reassigning work to the subcontractor best able to manage it, including managing the risk of injury. The alternative hypothesis is that subcontracting increases the risk of on-site injuries by shifting risk to contractors with a higher tolerance for injuries and by creating an environment where lack of cross-contractor coordination increases the dangers of construction work.