scholarly journals Framework to Improve the Attitudes of Construction Workers towards Safety Helmets

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-86
Author(s):  
Anita Odame Adade-Boateng ◽  
Frank Fugar ◽  
Emmanuel Adinyira
Keyword(s):  
Head Injuries ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Occupational Accidents ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Safety Intervention ◽  
User Friendly

Construction workers in various studies across the globe have indicated that there is some discomfort with the use of safety helmets, and that some workers do not use safety helmets as required, resulting in a compromise to their health and safety protection. This study investigates the processes involved in the selection and procurement of safety helmets for construction workers and assesses these efforts by interrogating the discomforts experienced by users in spite of these selection considerations. The study focuses on safety helmets used by construction workers, as this is a common form of personal protective equipment (PPE) usually given out on construction sites to prevent head injuries, which are among the severest forms of occupational accidents in the industry. Primary data were obtained through a questionnaire survey conducted with construction firms operating in Ghana and semi-structured interviews with construction workers. The findings from the study indicate that in spite of the purported considerations by construction firms in the selection and procurement of PPE, construction workers continually experience several discomforts with the use of safety helmets. The study proposes a Behaviour-Based Safety Intervention Framework to guide the selection and procurement of user-friendly PPE that improves the user experience of safety helmets.

scholarly journals Exploring the Relationship between Safety Climate and Worker Safety Behavior on Building Construction Sites in Taiwan

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3326
Author(s):  
Wei Tong Chen ◽  
Hew Cameron Merrett ◽  
Ying-Hua Huang ◽  
Theresia Avila Bria ◽  
Ying-Hsiu Lin
Keyword(s):  
Safety Climate ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Safety Training ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Occupational Accidents ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Safety Behavior ◽  
The Relationship

Construction occupational accidents are often attributed to workers’ having an insufficient perception of how their actions influence safety in the construction site. This research explores the relationship between safety climate (SC) and personnel safety behavior (SB) of construction workers operating on building construction sites in Taiwan. The study discovered a significant positive relationship between SC and SB of Taiwan’s building construction sites, and in turn SC level had a positive impact on SB participation and overall safety perceptions. The higher the SC cognition of Taiwan’s building construction workers, the better the performance of SB was found to be. The dimension of "safety commitment and safety training" had the greatest relationship with SB. Safety training also had a deep impact on the cognition of SB. Therefore, the organizational culture and attitudes to safety coupled with the successful implementation of safety education and training can effectively enhance SC and worker SB on building construction sites in Taiwan, thereby potentially reducing the impacts of the underlying organizational factors behind safety related incidents.

scholarly journals Factors Causing Health and Safety Hazards at Construction Sites

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-74
Author(s):  
Om Prakash Giri
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Safety Hazards ◽  
Safety Awareness ◽  
Awareness Programs ◽  
Health And Safety Hazards ◽  
Improve Health

 The Construction industry is prone to risk to health and safety hazards. Construction workers should have the knowledge of health and safety and apply the knowledge while working. The main objective of this paper was to review and to identify the factors that cause accidents at construction sites and the methods to improve health and safety. The review revealed that lack of awareness about site safety and negligence of workers in wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) were the main causes of poor safety practices. It is necessary to create employer’s and contractor’s interests in safety management and enhance awareness on possible risk factors to reduce these risk factors among workers. Effective implementation of training and safety awareness programs among construction workers is vital to improve health and safety of construction workers.

Strategies for Engendering Health and Safety Culture in Construction Firms in Abuja, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jimoh R.A. ◽  
◽  
Oyewobi L.O. ◽  
Uthman N.L. ◽  
Ibrahim K. ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Safety Culture ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Varied Degree ◽  
Level Of Motivation ◽  
Construction Works ◽  
Civil Engineers

Many countries have put in place policies and legislation to reduce accidents and diseases on construction sites though having varied degree of comprehensiveness, the extent of implementation, will and capacity of enforcement. In spite of these efforts, it has been revealed that the increase in the rate of unsafe acts and rate of fatalities in the construction industry is significant due to poor safety culture. Hence, this study assessed the level of health and safety (H&S) culture in construction firms in Abuja by self-administering a total of 152 questionnaires on H&S issues to construction professionals. It included Builders, Quantity Surveyors, Architects, Civil Engineers, and Project Managers/supervisors who were involved in construction works. The data obtained were analysed using percentages and mean scores. It was discovered that despite the increasing growth in the construction firms in Nigeria, the H&S culture practice in construction firms is highly fragmented and poorly implemented. It is recommended among others that there should be high commitment from the top of organisations which will in turn produce higher level of motivation and commitment throughout the organisations.

scholarly journals FREQUENCY AND CONTINUITY OF WORK‐RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL SYMPTOMS FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS/STATYBOS DARBININKŲ GRIAUČIŲ IR RAUMENŲ PATOLOGIJOS DARBE DAŽNUMAS IR TĘSTINUMAS

2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 183-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Wing Hong Fung ◽  
Vivian Wing-Yan Tam ◽  
Chi Ming Tam ◽  
Kang Wang
Keyword(s):  
Health And Safety ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Musculoskeletal Symptoms ◽  
Musculoskeletal Symptom ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Department Of Labor ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Lower Back ◽  
Musculoskeletal Problems ◽  
Washington State Department

Regarding occupational health and safety, musculoskeletal problems are serious injuries which, however, are always neglected by most construction workers (Washington State Department of Labor and Industries 2007). Limited research has been recorded in work‐related musculoskeletal symptoms, especially in the construction industry. The aim of this paper is to study frequency and continuity of musculoskeletal symptoms for local construction workers. A questionnaire survey and structured interviews are conducted. It is found that the musculoskeletal symptom is common among most construction workers, practically in their upper extremities and lower back. All respondents reported that they had experienced of at least one musculoskeletal symptom in the 11 body locations including neck, shoulder, upper back, upper arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, lower back, hip, knee, and ankle. Recommendations to reduce problems occurred for work‐related musculoskeletal symptoms are also discussed. Santrauka Profesinės sveikatos ir darbų saugos atžvilgiu griaučių ir raumenų patologija yra rimta problema, į kurią daugelis statybos darbininkų nekreipia dėmesio. Atlikta nedaug tyrimų, susijusių su griaučių ir raumenų patologija darbe. Tai susiję su statybos sektoriais. Šio straipsnio tikslas – atlikti vietinių statybos darbininkų griaučių ir raumenų patologijos darbe dažnumo ir tęstinumo studiją. Atlikta darbininkų apklausa taikant anketas ir struktūriškai apibrėžtus pokalbius. Nustatyta, kad griaučių ir raumenų patologija yra įprasta daugeliui statybos darbininkų. Visi respondentai minėjo, kad yra patyrę mažiausiai vieną griaučių ir raumenų simptomą vienuolikoje kūno dalių: kakle, pečiuose, viršutinėje nugaros dalyje, viršutinėje rankų dalyje, alkūnėje, dilbyje, rieše, apatinėje nugaros dalyje, klubuose, keliuose ir kulkšnyje. Aptartos rekomendacijos, kaip sumažinti griaučių ir raumenų patologiją, susijusią su darbine veikla.

scholarly journals EVIDENCE‐BASED PREVENTION OF WORK‐RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 499-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romuald A. Rwamamara ◽  
Ove Lagerqvist ◽  
Thomas Olofsson ◽  
Bo M. Johansson ◽  
Kazys Algirdas Kaminskas
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Musculoskeletal Health ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Work Related

Many construction work tasks are physically very strenuous and the incidence of work‐related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among construction workers is considerably higher than those in most other occupations. The aim of the study presented in this paper was to contribute to understanding a healthy construction site brought about by the best practices implemented by large construction sites to prevent WMSDs. A triangulation method made of interviews, site observations and studies on company's documents was used to identify the best practices in 13 several construction projects. A range of the best practices both in the pre‐construction and construction phases of the projects were identified in six different areas of the balance of the construction workplace system; however, there seems to be a significant need for good practices in the management of a systematic work environment. It is now established that Swedish construction industry has several best practices to protect work‐related musculoskeletal health. However, inadequate worker participation and the neglect of health and safety issues by designers in the planning process as well as the implications of some remuneration methods on the production schedule were perceived as detrimental to the musculoskeletal health of construction workers. Santrauka Daug statybos darbu yra fiziškai labai itempti, o su darbu susijusiu raumenu ir skeleto sistemos pažeidimu dažnis tarp statybininku yra kur kas aukštesnis negu tarp daugelio kitu profesiju. Šio tyrimo tikslas – pletoti supratima apie sveikatos būkle ir jos svarba dirbant statybu aikštelese, igyvendinant didelius statybos objektus, siekiant išvengti su darbu susijusiu raumenu ir skeleto sistemos pažeidimu. Tyrimams buvo taikytas interviu, pagristas trianguliacijos metodu, darbo procesu stebejimo statybos aikštelese metodas, buvo nagrineti statybos kompaniju dokumentai, siekiant identifikuoti 13 skirtingu statybos projektu. Geriausia praktika, prieš pradedant statybas ir jau statant, buvo nustatyta šešiuose skirtinguose statybu regionuose, tačiau tokia praktika yra svarbi darbo aplinkos vadyboje. Pripažinta, kad Švedijos statybos pramoneje taikomi keli būdai, kaip apsaugoti statybininkus nuo raumenu ir skeleto sistemos pažeidimu. Vis delto mažas darbininku domejimasis šia problema, sveikatos bei saugos problemu nepaisymas planavimo procese, kai kuriu atsilyginimo būdu itraukimas i gamybos veiksniu saraša buvo vertinti kaip faktoriai, žalingai veikiantys statybininku raumenu ir skeleto sistema.

scholarly journals NEGLIGENT USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT BY CONSTRUCTION WORKERS IN SRI LANKA: ANALYSIS OF INDIVIDUAL MANIFESTATIONS

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.P.M DASANDARA ◽  
◽  
D.M.P.P. DISSANAYAKE ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Occupational Accidents ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Individual

The construction industry can be identified as one of the main sectors in Sri Lanka where the majority of occupational accidents happen. When considering the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), occupational accidents have been significantly happened due to many reasons. Among those reasons, negligence of the use of PPE by construction workers has become prominent. Different factors can affect this situation. Among them, individual manifestations such as perceptions, beliefs, experiences and attitudes of the workers can make a significant impact. Hence, there is an emerging need to explore the reasons under these individual manifestations, which encourages the negligence use of PPE. This paper therefore aimed to analyse the individual manifestations to unveil the reasons behind the negligence of use of PPE by construction workers in Sri Lanka. A qualitative research approach was followed to achieve the aim of the study. Case studies were conducted using two SME construction projects. Fourteen semi structured interviews were conducted in both cases with managerial and worker level respondents. Collected data were analysed using code based content analysis. ‘Considering PPE as a disturbance’, ‘lack of experiences of the workers’, ‘poor education level of the workers’, ‘inadequate knowledge and skills of the workers’, ‘poor income level’, ‘age of the workers’, ‘number of dependencies’, ‘poor health condition’ and ‘different lifestyles of the workers’ were revealed through the empirical research findings as the key reasons under individual manifestations, which affect for the neglect usage of PPE by the workers. The knowledge generated through this study can be used in many ways by the industry practitioners to make safe working environment within the construction sites.

scholarly journals Application of the Regression Model for Evaluating Factors Affecting Construction Workers’ Labor Productivity in Vietnam

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 353-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dinh Tuan Hai ◽  
Nguyen Van Tam
Keyword(s):  
Regression Model ◽  
Labor Productivity ◽  
Time Factors ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Motivation Factors ◽  
Impacting Factors ◽  
To Come

Background: In the rapidly-developed construction industry, labor productivity has improved to a great extent, still, it is low compared with many other industries. The enhancement of labor productivity has become important that attracts much attention and focus from researchers in Vietnam and around the world. Aim: This paper focuses on key factors affecting labor productivity of construction sites in Vietnam by introducing a regression model to evaluate the extent of each factor’s impact on the labor productivity of construction workers. Methods: Ten groups of impacting factors were identified as factors relevant to construction worker, factors relevant to site operation and management, factors relevant to motivation, factors relevant to working time, factors relevant to labor working tools, factors relevant to labor working conditions, factors relevant to working safety, factors relevant to project informations, factors relevant to natural environment, and factors relevant to socio-economic conditions. Results: By referring to research results, Vietnamese construction contractors will be able to come up with workable solutions towards a better performance of construction workers. Conclusion: On that basis, the productivity of construction firms and the workers will be improved correspondingly.

scholarly journals The Analysis of Occupational Health and Safety of The Ship's Crew on Board in The Enclosed Spaces

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 224-231
Author(s):  
Nurwahidah
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Personal Responsibility ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Accidents ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Primary Analysis ◽  
Daily Work ◽  
Work Accidents

The research on enclosed spaces is used to identify the work accidents, availability of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) equipment as well as the suitability of SOPs used by the Officer to handle the occupational accidents on board.The methodology used to identify the occupational accident in enclosed spaces were quantitative analysis based on some primary data (primary analysis) and secondary data (secondary analysis), by which the author performed the direct observations, interviewed the respondents who experience the accidents and did the literature study.The results confirmed that the enclosed spaces is not used for the activities or daily work by the ship's crew since the rooms have no ventilation, thus the air inhaled is less than 21% by volume and the concentration of hydrocarbon gas is less than 1% of the LFL (Limite Flamble Lower) than the levels of other toxic gases. Based on the interview results of 175 respondents, 93% said the accident was caused by the negligence of the supervision or personal responsibility, 21% said that it was caused by the absence of carbon gas test since there were no tools for detecting the toxic gas (gas detector) and 78% claimed that theyunderstand that the occupational accidents happened in enclosed spaces due to the negligence and procedural error (SOP). Therefore, it can be said that the limitations of knowledge and understanding of the crew, granting permits (work permit) by Officers which was not appropriate, the availability of supporting equipment and the inadequate involvement of shipping companies, the SOP that are not well socialized and the improper handling of accident victims were the causes of the work accidents on board.

Effect of site sanitation on the safety performance of workers on construction sites in Minna, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-68
Author(s):  
Abdullateef Adewale Shittua ◽  
Hawwa Ibrahim Ahmadb ◽  
Alhassan Mohammed Isahc ◽  
Mohammed Ndagi Mohammedd
Keyword(s):  
Health And Safety ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Safety Performance ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Item Score ◽  
Accident Rate ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽  
Importance Index

Studies have shown that site sanitation practices are capable of improving the health and safety (H&S) performance of construction companies. In spite of this, evidence has shown that the level of compliance to these practices by construction firms is still poor. This study evaluated the effect of site sanitation on the safety performance of workers on construction sites. Data were obtained through a well-structured questionnaire. Analysis of data was done using Relative Importance Index (RII), Mean Item Score (MIS) and Spearman’s Rank Correlation. It was found that provision of first aid facilities is the measure most complied with on sites (RII = 0.96); relationship between level of compliance to good sanitation measures and accident rate is not significant; and provision of Personal Protective Equipment is the most effective strategy for minimising rate of accidents (MIS = 4.95). It was concluded that the effect of site sanitation on safety performance of workers on construction sites in Minna is not significant. It was thus recommended that construction firms should always comply with the measures for enhancing good sanitation on sites, especially “Provision of drinking water”, in order to improve safety performance on site. Key words: Construction, Safety, Sanitation, Performance, Workers.

Barriers to the implementation of COVID-19 safety regulations: insight from Ghanaian construction sites

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredrick Simpeh ◽  
Emmanuel Bamfo-Agyei ◽  
Christopher Amoah
Keyword(s):  
Health And Safety ◽  
The Body ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Implementation Challenges ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Safety Regulations ◽  
Data Collection Instrument

Purpose The new normal introduced by COVID-19 has ushered in new safety regulations that are required to be implemented by all organisations, including the construction industry. The implementation of the COVID-19 regulations, like any health and safety regulation, is not without hindrances. Consequently, this study aims to explore factors hindering the implementation of COVID-19 safety regulations at construction sites in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a qualitative research method using an open-ended questionnaire as a data collection instrument. The set of questionnaires were distributed by means of purposive and snowball sampling methods. The collected data were analysed by means of the thematic analysis technique. Findings It became evident that several factors militate against implementing COVID-19 safety regulations at construction sites. Cost of implementing COVID-19 safety measures, lack of compliance and ignorance were identified as the most hindering factors, whereas superstition, lack of personal protective equipment supply and theft of COVID-19 materials were reported by fewer respondents. Research limitations/implications The set of questionnaires were limited to small construction firms who were operating on site within the Central, Western and Greater Accra regions of Ghana during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the findings may be applicable to firms outside these regions because most of the small construction firms in the country share similar characteristics. Practical implications The recommendations proffered could help construction organisations devise strategies to overcome the barriers that hamper the implementation of COVID-19 safety regulations on site. Moreover, the findings could inform policymakers on what is required to enforce compliance on site. Originality/value COVID 19 is still new, and as a result, the body of knowledge is at the infancy stage. This article contributes to advancing the body of knowledge in the area of COVID-19 implementation challenges on construction sites.

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