Abstract
The literature on health and safety (H&S) is bound with different elements and indicators of
measuring H&S performance. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the success and challenges of using
quantitative and qualitative approach of Delphi technique in validating and identifying H&S performance
indicators that small and medium construction enterprises (SMEs) can use to measure and monitor their H&S
performance improvement at project level. Furthermore, discuss the identification of experts in the field of
H&S, ways of improving consensus analysis and minimizing experts’ non‐response. This study is based on
practical experience of the researchers pertaining to the Delphi technique method which is a constructivist or
interpretive approach to knowledge. The study started with an extensive literature review to identify core
elements and leading indicators characterizing H&S culture to develop a Delphi questionnaire that was used
in the first round of Delphi. A four round Delphi technique was conducted to attain consensus of the identified
H&S indicators. The experts were identified from published articles of H&S, practitioners’ website of H&S and
word of mouth. The use of email was used as a mode of communication. This study set to warn but also
encourage the use of Delphi technique as a method to unearth information in areas where consensus has not
been reached such as H&S performance measurement indicators for construction SMEs in South Africa.