Development of a Preventive Culture in Occupational Health and Safety to Reduce Occupational Risks in a Construction Company, Cañete‑2025.

Abstract

This research is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and aimed to analyze the effect of developing a preventive culture in Occupational Health and Safety on the reduction of occupational risks in a construction company located in Cañete, Peru. Methodologically, it applied a quantitative approach through a longitudinal, pre-experimental design, using instruments such as an ISO 45001 checklist, the Fine-Kinney matrix and the Elmeri observation system, based on a census of bi-weekly risk records. Descriptive results showed an increase in the Visible Leadership Index from 38% to 92%, and proactive incident reporting rose from 0.06 to 0.30 cards per worker. Inferential analysis revealed that the improvement in organizational culture was statistically significant according to the Wilcoxon test (p = 0.028 < 0.05). Regarding specific hazards, physical incident rates fell from 50% to 24%, musculoskeletal injuries declined by up to 71%, and the adoption of certified anchorages for mechanical hazards rose to 92%. It is concluded that the systematic cultivation of a preventive culture can reduce operational risk levels by more than 85%. The study demonstrates that the management of human factors is a primary determinant of operational safety within the construction sector.