CE3RHS: Human Resource and Health and Safety Management

Module code: CE3RHS

Module provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Florence Phua, email: f.phua@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Dylan Tutt, email: d.e.tutt@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module is about understanding how effective human resource management (HRM) contributes significantly to overall organizational performance. The module will help students to gain an appreciation and understanding of the processes, practices, and implications of HRM and applying the essential elements of HRM and their implementation in the UK construction industry. It draws substantially on HRM concepts, theories and practices from different industries to facilitate understanding of the issues and concerns that are applicable to both construction and non-construction firms. It will explain and clarify how an informed, well-structured and participative approach to HRM can deliver substantial benefits to all stakeholders: employers and employees as well as their shareholders and clients. The corresponding and interrelated Health & Safety Management and Culture component of the module will help students develop and broaden perspectives on workplace cultures and the critical role of health and safety management and communication in construction. It considers the challenges of managing OHS at the interface between project participants, technologies and work practices, and the difficulty of organisational learning in the construction sector. The module aims to develop students’ understanding of the role of health and safety communication in construction and equip them with knowledge of strategies for OHS worker engagement and meaningful consultation between managers and workers. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Understand the theory, core processes and practices of HRM, gaining an appreciation of their impact on organizational and individual performance; and comprehend the complexities and implications of effective HR strategies for organizational management. 
2. Critically evaluate the principles upon which different HRM practices and policies are developed in different organizational contexts, and how they can be applied to the construction industry; and critically evaluate the use and value of different health and safety systems and workplace strategies in different project settings. 
3. Appraise and critically assess different perspectives and understandings of the management of health and safety in the construction industry (by industry employers, union groups, policy makers, researchers etc.).  
4. Assess critically how health and safety is spoken about and understood at construction workplaces and in industry rhetoric; and explain ways to apply and interpret construction industry legal framework and guidance on the management of OHS. 

Module content

Human Resource Management

The content of this component of the module is informed by research is designed in a logical, step-by-step manner to help students develop their analytical skills to understand what may often seem to be nebulous or complex HRM issues. Emphasis will be placed on the joint development and integration of theory and evidence-based practice. The guiding principle of the module is that theory and practice are inextricably linked.

1. HRM in the construction industry context
   1. Structure of the industry
   2. The industry and its environment
   3. Management of (project) organisations
   4. Evaluate the importance of HRM in the construction industry
2. Principles and theories of HRM
   1. Evolution and development of HRM in modern management
   2. Current principles and theories
   3. Role of HRM in overall organisational context
3. Processes and practices of HRM
   1. Identify core processes and practices of HRM
   2. Design, implementation and implications of HRM strategy and policy
   3. Organisational dynamics, structure and design
4. Strategic HRM and future development
   1. Long term strategies for HRM development in construction industry
   2. High involvement, high commitment HR systems
   3. Dynamic fit between HR systems and the changing environment

Health and Safety Management and Culture

The content of this part of the module will be highly research-informed, drawing on and engaging with contemporary and ongoing research for IOSH, CITB, CIOB etc., and drawing on research and industry case study material.

• Introduction: Health and Safety Management and Culture in Construction
• Basics of risk assessment/management
• An Introduction to CDM 2015
• Principal Designer Roles in Practice
• Health through Safety: Occupational Health and Safety
• H&S Communication channels and vulnerable workers
• Social and political context to health and safety regulation in construction
• International Construction and H&S
• Industry discourses of safety enforcement and engagement
• Health and Safety Culture and Worker Engagement

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Human Resource Management

This module will use a variety of teaching and learning methods including lectures, case studies and interactive group discussions to promote an intellectually stimulating student learning experience, and that is also practically relevant to real-life project organizations. A particular emphasis will be placed on the critical evaluation of accepted concepts, practices and principles.

Health and Safety Management and Culture

This part of the module will use a variety of teaching and learning methods to help students understand OHS challenges faced by organizations and to apply this knowledge to address issues that arise in real-life project environments. This will include lectures, case studies and interactive group discussions. A particular focus will be placed on learning to critically deconstruct accepted concepts, practices and principles.

Study hours

At least 48 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs