Evaluating the Role of Responsible Leadership in Enhancing Safety Culture in Micro and Small Construction Firms in the UK

This chapter aims to evaluate the role of responsible leadership (RL) in fostering a strong safety culture within micro and small construction firms, with a particular focus on the UK construction industry. Using an interpretivist-constructivist framework, this study employed a qualitative methodology to explore the lived experiences of employees within micro and small construction firms in the UK. Data was collected through interviews conducted with workers from five selected case study organisations, providing rich and detailed insights. The findings highlight the pivotal role of leadership in shaping safety norms, emphasising a shared responsibility approach where both leaders and workers collaboratively maintain safety standards. Key leadership traits such as effective communication and assertiveness were noted, though overly rigid enforcement was found to sometimes undermine compliance. Barriers to embedding a safety culture included deadline pressures, complacent attitudes towards safety, and limited resources for specialised tasks. On the other hand, enablers such as consistent safety awareness initiatives, visible leadership, and peer-driven accountability emerged as critical factors in fostering a positive safety culture. The study underscores the importance of tailored interventions that balance leadership initiatives with worker engagement for sustainable safety culture transformation. This research makes a significant contribution to the literature on RLby addressing its role within the underexplored context of micro and small construction firms. From a practical perspective, the findings provide actionable recommendations for small construction firms, guiding leaders to adopt RLbehaviours that enhance safety without compromising productivity.