*2.1. Client Level Factors*

Among stakeholders in the construction supply chain, clients have the economic power to encourage other stakeholders to implement safety measures. Therefore, clients play a pivotal role in improving safety performance across construction projects. Specifically, client type and the extent of client involvement in safety management have implications for safety performance [9,10].

#### 2.1.1. Client Type

Construction project clients can be categorized as either public or private according to their source of funding. Ma observes that safety records for the projects with public sector clients are better than those projects with private sector clients in Hong Kong [11], and believes that the reason is that most safety initiatives are mandatorily executed in public works' contracts, whereas they are voluntarily adopted in the private sector. In Nigeria, Umeokafor also notes that public clients' safety commitment and attitudes are better than their counterparts [12]. So, it is hypothesized that there are more safety behaviors in public projects than in private projects.

#### 2.1.2. Client Involvement

Clients' direct involvement in safety management contributes to safety performance. In Australia, given the important contribution that clients can make to the safety performance of the construction projects, Lingard et al. develop a model client framework [13]. The framework establishes clients' safety roles throughout the life-cycle of the project. Using safety climate as a leading indicator of safety performance of small- and medium-sized construction projects, Votano and Sunindijo found that six of the clients' safety roles depicted by Lingard et al. are related to safety performance, and they are participation in the safety program, review and analysis of safety data, appointment of safety team, selection of safe contractors, safety specifications in tenders, and regular checks on plant/equipment [13,14]. Hence, this research postulates that client safety involvement is positively associated with workers' safety behaviors.
