Critical Review of Construction Accident Causation Theories and Models: The Need for Improved Models

10.31219/osf.io/9gwsy ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Opeyemi Samuel Williams ◽

Razali Adul Hamid ◽

Mohd Saidin Misnan

Keyword(s):

Construction Industry ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Building Construction ◽

Review Of Literature ◽

Construction Sites ◽

Occupational Risks ◽

Accident Causation ◽

Improved Model ◽

Construction Accidents

Construction industry is recognized and best described as an accident-prone industry, being characterized with a plethora of occupational risks. Review of literature on construction accidents revealed that a copious number of theories have been propounded over the years by different theorists, though some of these theories were criticized. In addition to this were the multifarious models developed by different proponents at different times. However, accidents are an unplanned event that are common on the building construction sites, involving materials, objects and people with attendant damages, loses and injuries. Moreover, existing models were developed to investigate the causations of accident with the aim of preventing its occurrence. Effort to analyze the existing models, with criticism in view, was the aim of this research, which was accomplished by pointing out the limitations of applicability of the models and ascertaining the need for an improved model. A major gap was discovered, in that most of these models concentrated on accident causations and investigations with little or no emphasis on preventive measures via the duties of the construction stakeholders (client, consultant, contractor, health and safety agency) at the preconstruction and during construction stages. Having considered the strengths and weaknesses of the existing models, it was discovered that another, but improved, model was needed and such model will consequently enable construction stakeholders in putting up and implementing accident preventive measures on the building construction sites, as all stakeholders have significant roles to play in preventing accident.

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MACHINE LEARNING APPLICATIONS FOR MONITORING CONSTRUCTION HEALTH AND SAFETY LEGISLATION AND COMPLIANCE

Proceedings of International Structural Engineering and Construction ◽

10.14455/isec.2020.7(2).con-23 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Mohlomi Terah Raliile ◽

Theodore Conrad Haupt

Keyword(s):

Machine Learning ◽

Construction Industry ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Workplace Safety ◽

Future Research ◽

Review Of Literature ◽

Construction Sites ◽

The Public ◽

Online Databases ◽

Machine Learning Applications

The construction industry has, for many years, been subject to stringent health and safety legislation for the protection of workers and the public. To ensure compliance, firms must invest a great deal in resources. However, with different legislative requirements, deadlines, and fragmentation, it is easy to overlook something or implement wrong frameworks. This study aims to investigate the applications of unsupervised machine learning (ML) on monitoring health and safety legislation and compliance on construction sites. The paper provides a systematic and comprehensive review of literature from previous studies on ML applications in construction between the years 2005-2020. A literature search from online databases was conducted using keywords. A two-step literature filtration process was used to obtain relevant publications to meet the selection criteria. The findings of the study suggest that, as technology advances shaping the future of workplace safety, ML can be used to monitor compliance and set out recommendations for future standardizations in construction. Adopting ML in the can be used to process masses of information at better speeds and accuracy to make decisions and identify anomalies that would not have been identified by humans, improving compliance. This study presents the first attempt on the applications of ML for monitoring health and safety legislation and compliance on construction sites. Future research proposes to develop a tool for contractors to use to monitor compliance.

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Risk Perception in the Construction Industry: Differences Between Italian and Migrant Workers Before and After a Targeted Training Intervention

NEW SOLUTIONS A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy ◽

10.1177/1048291121998364 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 65-71

Author(s):

Federico Ricci ◽

Giulia Bravo ◽

Alberto Modenese ◽

Fabrizio De Pasquale ◽

Davide Ferrari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Perception ◽

Construction Industry ◽

Migrant Workers ◽

Construction Workers ◽

Construction Sites ◽

Visual Tool ◽

Occupational Risks ◽

Linguistic Barriers ◽

Before And After ◽

The Difference

We developed a visual tool to assess risk perception for a sample of male construction workers (forty Italian and twenty-eight immigrant workers), just before and after a sixteen-hour training course. The questionnaire included photographs of real construction sites, and workers were instructed to select pictograms representing the occupational risks present in each photograph. Points were awarded for correctly identifying any risks that were present, and points were deducted for failing to identify risks that were present or identifying risks that were not present. We found: (1) Before the course, risk perception was significantly lower in immigrants compared to Italians ( p < .001); (2) risk perception improved significantly ( p < .001) among all workers tested; and (3) after the training, the difference in risk perception between Italians and immigrants was no longer statistically significant ( p = .1086). Although the sample size was relatively small, the results suggest that the training is effective and may reduce the degree to which cultural and linguistic barriers hinder risk perception. Moreover, the use of images and pictograms instead of words to evaluate risk perception could also be applied to nonconstruction workplaces.

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The Occupational Health and Safety Management of Workers in Building Construction Site

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.501-504.2695 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 501-504 ◽

pp. 2695-2699 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Xiang Dong Zhao

Keyword(s):

Occupational Health ◽

Construction Industry ◽

Occupational Injury ◽

Safety Management ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Occupational Health And Safety ◽

Building Construction ◽

Way Of Life ◽

The Status ◽

Countermeasures And Suggestions

The work of occupational health and safety about construction industry has increasingly aroused peoples' attention ,so this article puts forward the problems existing in the occupational health and safety management of construction industry as well as the countermeasures and suggestions through the analysis of the construction labours' common occupational injury accident of the present stage in our country and the status quo in the aspects of professional physical,mental health and safety ,which is to develop the workers' way of life on safety,civilization and health.

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Assessment of Lean Construction Practice at Selected Construction Sites in Klang Valley

International Journal of Engineering & Technology ◽

10.14419/ijet.v7i4.35.22340 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (4.35) ◽

pp. 125

Author(s):

Mohammed Elhaj Alsoufi Mohammed Ahmed ◽

Leong Sing Wong

Keyword(s):

Construction Projects ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Lean Construction ◽

Building Construction ◽

Total Quality ◽

Construction Sites ◽

Construction Techniques ◽

Comprehensive Survey ◽

Klang Valley

Lean construction is known to reduce costs, improve profit or increase competitiveness, increase business opportunity and customer base, improve health and safety, improve quality, yield higher employee salaries, shorten production timescales and increase customer satisfaction. With little attention on research of lean construction in Malaysia, it remains a problem of non-standardization in waste elimination strategies thereby sub optimizing waste management in Malaysian construction projects. The objective of this paper is to evaluate lean construction techniques and measure the feasibility in term of their applicability for construction at selected sites in Klang Valley, Malaysia. The study is novel and significant in a sense that it can help to develop reliable management strategies for implementing lean construction technologies at the construction sites. Case studies were carried out as a strategic method and comprehensive survey that covers both questionnaire and interview were adopted as a method of data collection. Likert scale 1 to 5 was used in the written questionnaire with workers in order to assess the level of awareness and acceptance on the need of lean construction techniques for eight construction sites in various places and with various categories (infrastructure and building construction projects) in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Later, semi structural interview was conducted with expert judgment to justify the factors which affect the implementation of lean construction at the construction sites. From the study outcome, it was discovered that both Total Quality Management (TQM) and Industrialized Building System (IBS) were rated by the respondents to be highly effective in both infrastructure and building construction projects.

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A STUDY OF IM-SMARTSAFETY COURSEWARE DEVELOPMENT FOR FOREIGN WORKERS IN SAFETY COURSE MALAYSIA CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Jurnal Teknologi ◽

10.11113/jt.v77.6133 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 77 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Nurul Azita Salleh ◽

Faizatul Akmar Abdul Nifa ◽

Muhammad Nazrin Shah Zakaria ◽

Norazah Mohd Nordin ◽

Abdul Khalim Abdul Rashid

Keyword(s):

Construction Industry ◽

Social Theory ◽

Development Process ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Learning Theories ◽

Foreign Workers ◽

Negative Behavior ◽

Construction Sites ◽

New Knowledge ◽

Text Information

IM-SmartSAFETY is an application developed as a medium for delivering contents to foreign workers in response to language problem in Health and Safety Induction Course (HSIC). It is a compulsory initial course for all workers including local and foreign workers and professionals before entering into construction sites. In ensuring IM-SmartSAFETY meets the objective of the course, learning theories, particularly constructivism, social, and minimalism, have been applied along the development process. In accordance, this paper discusses the importance of applying learning theories in the IM-SmartSAFETY. Constructivism theory is important in IM-SmartSAFETY because it supports the creation of new knowledge through creative and critical thinking based on the existing knowledge while solving problems in existing cases. Meanwhile through social theory, emphasis on cognitive is deeper than on physical behavior in which visual representation of positive and negative behavior could be imitated. It also promotes social interaction among the peers and between the trainees and the trainers through activities provided in the application. Further, minimalism theory is important because it ensures the application is appealing in terms arrangement of text, information, graphic, color, and audio so that they never confuse the foreign workers, but make them understand.

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The factors contributing to construction accidents in Pakistan

Engineering Construction & Architectural Management ◽

10.1108/ecam-01-2016-0027 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 463-485 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Hafiz Zahoor ◽

Albert P.C. Chan ◽

Ran Gao ◽

Wahyudi P. Utama

Keyword(s):

Construction Industry ◽

Delphi Survey ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Content Type ◽

Contributory Factors ◽

Similar Work ◽

Safety Research ◽

Accident Causation ◽

The Government ◽

Construction Accidents

Purpose The highest number of accidents in proportion to the employment rate is found in construction industry among all industries in Pakistan. The purpose of this paper is to identify and prioritize the contributory factors of accident causation that can significantly reduce the rate of accident in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach In total, 32 contributory factors of accident causation were identified through a triangulation strategy comprising eight face-to-face semi-structured interviews with the academic and industry experts coupled with a comprehensive literature review. Delphi survey was then conducted among the four respondent groups (clients, contractors, safety official and academia) to prioritize these factors. A consensus was achieved among the respondent groups after conducting two rounds of Delphi survey. Finally, the results were validated using the technique of inter-rater agreement (IRA) analysis. Findings All the shortlisted accident causation factors were graded as “important” to “extremely important”. Moreover, a “moderate” to “strong level” agreement was developed among the respondent groups. The three most significant factors were highlighted as “poor enforcement of safety rules and regulations by the Government agencies”, “insufficient allocation of safety budget and safety incentives by the client”, and “insufficient provision of safety training and resources by the contractor”. Practical implications The findings will help the key stakeholders to prioritize their energies towards achieving zero accident in the construction industry. Moreover, addition of academic experts as one of the respondent groups will enhance the linkages between the academia and the industry practitioners. Originality/value Besides highlighting the underlying causes of construction accidents in Pakistan, a detailed methodology is presented in this study for the analysis and validation of the Delphi survey data, which can be extrapolated in other regions and industries for elements prioritization. The findings of the study can also be generalized for other developing countries having similar work environment. The results validation through the use of IRA analysis is an addition to the field of construction safety research. The study also authenticates the applicability of IRA analysis to assess the agreement level among the respondents.

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

Journal of Science and Technology ◽

10.30880/jst.2020.12.02.002 ◽

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.

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

Journal of Civil Engineering and Management ◽

10.3846/jcem.2010.56 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 499-509 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

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.

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Causes and Effects of Construction Accidents

International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering - Special Issue ◽

10.35940/ijitee.l3917.129219 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 1129-1133

Keyword(s):

Construction Industry ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Safety Training ◽

Building Collapse ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Safety Programs ◽

Environmental Causes ◽

Construction Accidents ◽

Significant Factors

In a day to day scenario, the construction industry is the most developing sectors when compared to all countries. There are numerous reasons for accidents, and they result from the elements that happen in the workplace. These elements, in ideal conditions, can essentially build the likelihood of a risk getting to be operational and prompting a word related mishappenings. The site accidents are bound to happen when there are lacking organization arrangements, risky practices, and weak frames of mind of development workforce, poor administration responsibility, and deficient wellbeing information and preparing of laborers. The point is to locate the fundamental driver of accidents, places with the big event, perilous sorts of work, and so on, by factual examination. In light of that, a few enhancements are endeavored to propose better security for the executives later on. This paper found that the most significant accidents in the construction industry include fall from a height, fall from scaffoldings, and building collapse. Based on the study of past works of literature, the significant factors influencing construction accidents include technical causes, organizational causes, human causes, and environmental causes. The preventive measures taken by the construction industries are providing personal protective pieces of equipment (PPE's), conducting toolbox meetings and safety training to the workers. The violation of OSHA guidelines should be recorded and reported. Workers must be aware of the hazards and safety programs to prevent construction accidents

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