| Summary: | The construction sector is vital to global economic growth, employing around 180 million workers; however, it remains one of the most hazardous industries. In response to these challenges, ISO 45001:2018 was established to set international standards for improving Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and promoting safer work environments. In Libya, the construction industry faces challenges such as inadequate OSH practices, poor performance, and substandard work quality. To address these issues, companies require effective tools to assess safety performance and implement OSH standards. This research aims to develop a tool for evaluating construction contractors' safety performance in adopting ISO 45001:2018 in Libya. The research objective is to identify and analyze key factors influencing organizational safety performance and compliance with OSH standards, focusing on levels of adaptation to ISO 45001:2018. For the data collection, this research employed a questionnaire survey, administered both face-to-face and via Google Forms to capture insights from the professionals within Libyan contractor. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and weighted factors with the assistance of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 26 and Microsoft Excel (MS Excel). MS Excel facilitated detailed calculations and data visualization. The factors identified through the analysis were validated using SmartPLS, ensuring the reliability and significance of the measurement model. The analysis revealed that organizational context, leadership, planning, and support mechanisms significantly impact safety management practices. The findings highlighted that effective leadership and strategic planning are critical for effectively implementing ISO 45001 standards in Libyan construction firms. The research identified two main categories influencing safety performance: organizational factors and human factors. Organizational factors include management commitment, proactive safety planning, a positive safety culture, clear communication, and regular safety inspections. Human factors include workers’ competencies, leadership qualities, active participation in safety activities, compliance with safety procedures, and personal attitudes toward workplace safety. These factors were integrated into the ISO 45001:2018 framework, with weighted scores incorporated into the newly developed Construction Organizational Safety Performance Level (COSPL 1.0) calculator. The COSPL 1.0 calculator evaluates adaptation levels to ISO 45001:2018 standards, with results subsequently transferred to the innovative Found, Learn, Ascend, Reinforce, Elite (FLARE 1.0) matrix. The FLARE 1.0 matrix visually represents these adaptation levels across various safety performance criteria, categorizing them into five distinct performance levels: Elite, Reinforce, Ascend, Learn, and Found. This structured analysis enables construction companies to audit their current OSH status, evaluate performance over different periods, and foster continuous improvement. A User Acceptance Test (UAT) confirmed the suitability and relevance of these tools for Libyan contractors. The innovation of OSH assessment tools presented in this research contribute significantly to the body of knowledge by providing practical and scalable solutions for improving OSH practices in the construction industry. Assessing the adoption level of ISO 45001:2018 through safety performance indicators is beneficial in the enhancement of contractor's readiness to undertake better construction projects with higher safety standards, thereby reducing the risk of injuries and fatalities.
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