... the most neglected safety practices were identified. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) was used to perf
The Most Neglected Construction Safety Practices in Rawalpindi/Islamabad Hafiz Zahoor 81 and Rafiq Muhammad Choudhry 82 Department of Construction Engineering and Management, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
Abstract Safety non performance has not only led to higher accident rates but has also lowered overall productivity in the construction industry. The situation can be improved by enhancing the standards of safety practices. This paper presents a methodology to identify the most neglected safety practices requiring special emphasis for improvement. The study was conducted using a questionnaire survey comprising of 60 safety practices. Data collected through 230 questionnaires from 43 construction companies working on 30 projects in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad were analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences. All the safety practices were prioritized basing on their mean safety performance values. Results have highlighted that the mean safety performance of construction industry is 61.38 percent. Construction safety practices requiring special emphasis are identified as; (a) safety training for the workers of subcontractors, (b) refresher safety training sessions for all workers, (c) awareness among workers to not take unnecessary risks, (d) subcontractors participation in safety meetings, and (e) providing job specific safety training to workers. Results have also highlighted that the factor of ‘safety training’ has the lowest safety performance level, followed by ‘safety in the contract documents’, ‘safety meetings’ and ‘worker’s involvement’. The results of this study may provide useful information to construction stakeholders to provide safe work environment. Keywords Construction industry, stakeholders, safety factors, safety practices, ranking.
INTRODUCTION Construction is recognised as one of the most hazardous industries across the world due to its unique nature (Jannadi et al., 2002). Construction industry suffers from high accident rates, which results in prolonged absence of workers, loss of productivity, permanent disability, and even fatalities (Mohamed, 1999). According to ILO 2005 statistics, one in every six fatal accidents at work occurs on construction sites whereas fatal accidents in construction industry are estimated to be 60,000 per year around the world. In industrialized countries, work related deaths on construction sites are estimated to be 25 to 40 percent of total workforce, whereas construction industry employs only 6 to 10 percent of the total workforce (ILO statistics, 2005). John Holland’s ‘Zero Harm’ approach to safety in construction sites is described as “sending our people home in the same condition in which they arrived to work” (Zou, 2011). Construction companies around the globe are implementing safety, health and environmental management systems to reduce injuries, eliminate illness, and to provide a safe work environment for their employees (Choudhry et al., 2008a). 81 82
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In developing countries like Pakistan, the regulatory authority is usually weak in implementing the rules effectively, and work hazards are either not perceived at all, or perceived to be less dangerous than they actually are (Larcher and Sohail, 1999). Construction industry has employed 6.29 percent of the total labour force but injuries and fatalities are 20 to 25 percent of total labour force of Pakistan (Farooqui et al., 2007). Informal assessments have identified that safety non-performance has not only led to higher accident rate but has also resulted in delays, cost overruns and poor productivity (Farooqui et al., 2008). In Pakistani construction industry, health and safety clauses are mostly made part of contract documents but they are not enforced in true spirit, due to negligence and unawareness among the workers for their rights, resulting in poor safety performance. Moreover, there is no reliable source of published data on construction related injuries and fatalities.
OBJECTIVES OF STUDY The objectives of the study are; (1) assessing construction safety performance, (2) identifying flaws in current safety practices, and (3) suggesting measures to enhance construction safety performance.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY The data collected through questionnaire survey and interviews were analyzed to measure performance level of each safety practice so as to rank all safety practices. Basing on this ranking, the most neglected safety practices were identified. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) was used to perform data validation and reliability analysis. Internal consistency of the questionnaire was determined using Cronbach's coefficient alpha method and sampling error was calculated using descriptive statistics. QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGN Literature review was carried out and a number of already developed safety questionnaires were studied. Seventy five (75) safety practices were selected mainly from Choudhry et al., 2009 and Farooqui et al., 2008. To check the applicability of the questionnaire, a pilot survey was carried out by sending the questionnaire to 4 clients, 3 consultants and 5 contractors. Basing on their feedback, fifteen safety practices were dropped from the questionnaire, like ‘Workforce pays full attention to health and safety’ and ‘Goggles or other items of eye protectors are always worn. Hence, final questionnaire comprised of sixty (60) safety practices. SAMPLE SIZE Until March 2012, more than 1800 construction companies from the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad were registered with Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) in different categories. This number was used as the population size. It was also assumed that the answers will be homogeneous and will set the p value to 0.5. By incorporating these values in equation 1 (Dillman, 2000), acceptable sample size was calculated as 92 for a sampling error of ± 10%. Sampling error of ± 8.30% was found for 230 questionnaires using SPSS, hence this sample can be considered reliable for analysis.
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Ns = [ (Np) (P) (1-P) ] / [ (Np-1) (B/C)2 + (P) (1-P) ]
(1)
where: Ns =Sample size for the desired level of precision Np =Population size i.e. 1800 P =Proportion of the population that is expected to choose one of the response categories (yes/no); P = 0.5 B =Acceptable sampling error; (±10% or ±0.10) C =Z statistic associated with confidence level (Z=1.96 for 95% confidence level)
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESPONDENTS Valid responses are 230 out of 350 distributed questionnaires, indicating a response rate of 65 percent. Among the respondents, 29.8 percent belong to the clients, 23.5 percent to consultants and 46.7 percent to contractors/subcontractors organizations. Respondents were working at different levels in construction industry, like managers 28.4 percent, field engineers 23.5 percent, supervisors 18.6 percent, workers 16.7 percent and safety official 12.8 percent. TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES AND PROJECTS INCLUDED IN THE SURVEY Survey comprised of the responses from 43 PEC registered construction companies working in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad and 10 departments/ organizations. Respondents from different departments and organizations represented the clients and consultants. Construction companies included in the survey have following distribution according to their PEC categories (Table 1). Table 1. Frequency of companies basing on their PEC categories
PEC category C-A C-B C-1 C-2 C-3 C-4 C-5 C-6 Total
Financial limit of each category No financial limit 2,000 Million 1,000 Million 500 Million 250 Million 100 Million 30 Million 15 Million
No. of companies 9 5 7 4 5 6 7 43
Respondents to this survey were working on 30 construction projects in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. An effort has been made to include all type of construction projects like; roads (5), bridges (3), hospitals (3), runways (2), and 17 buildings (residential and non residential). Distribution of the respondents as per type of projects is; roads (34), bridges (23), hospitals (24), runways (14) and buildings (135). Details about number and type of projects and frequency of respondents are given in Table 2.
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Table 2. Type of projects and frequency of respondents
Type of projects
Number of projects Frequency of respondents
Roads Bridges/flyovers Hospitals Runways Buildings Total
5 3 3 2 17 30
34 23 24 14 135 230
DATA ANALYSIS RELIABILITY OF THE DATA Cronbach's coefficient alpha method, being the most common measure of internal consistency (reliability), was used to check the reliability of the collected data. Its value was calculated as 0.814. As cronbach's coefficient alpha value is higher than 0.7, this means that the data is consistent and reliable for further analysis. RANKING OF SAFETY PRACTICES Collected data were analyzed using SPSS. Mean and percentage values were calculated so as to rank the performance of all safety practices (see Appendix-A). Mean safety performance value of construction industry in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad was computed as 3.069 (61.38 percent) which should ideally be closer to 5. Results have also indicated the most neglected safety practices which require special attention by all stakeholders in the construction industry: (1) Safety training is not provided to employees of subcontractors. (2) Refresher safety training sessions are not conducted for regular workers. (3) Workers take unnecessary risks, when not being supervised. (4) Subcontractors are not encouraged to participate in safety meetings. (5) No job specific safety training is given to workers before start of a job. (6) Contractor is not bound to submit 'safety plan' before start of each task. (7) Workers do not react against any violation of safety rules by co-workers. (8) Safety audits are not conducted in most of construction companies. (9) Organizational chart is not displayed on site showing names, positions and responsibilities of safety officials. (10) There exists work pressure to complete the task on time, resulting in a compromise on safety. RANKING OF SAFETY FACTORS All the safety practices were grouped into 13 safety factors. For all safety factors, mean and percentage values were calculated (Table 3) so as to rank the performance level of each safety factor. Results indicated that the factor of ‘hoists and cranes operations’ has got the highest safety performance value of 3.908 (78.16 percent), followed by the factor of ‘precautions during excavation and shoring’ 3.49 (69.8 percent). The factor of ‘safety training’ has got the lowest performance value of 2.615 (52.30 percent), meaning thereby that ‘safety training’ is the most neglected safety factor. It is followed by ‘safety in the contract documents’ (52.36 percent), ‘safety meetings’ (52.54 percent) and ‘worker’s involvement’ (53.53 percent).
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Table 3. Ranking of safety factors
S.No 1 2 3 4
Safety factors (13) Management’s commitment to safety Workers’ involvement Safety in the contract documents Safety rules/procedures and policies Accident reporting and investigation 5 mechanism 6 Safety training 7 Safety meetings 8 Incentives/disincentives for workers 9 Use of personnel protective equipment 10 Housekeeping, storage and sanitation 11 Quality of scaffolding and ladders Precautions during excavation and 12 shoring 13 Hoists and cranes operations Average safety performance
Mean 3.1265 2.6760 2.6184 2.8991
Percentage 62.53 53.52 52.37 57.98
Ranking 7 10 12 8
3.1842
63.68
5
2.6151 2.6272 2.7993 3.1371 3.4151 3.2467
52.30 52.54 55.99 62.74 68.30 64.93
13 11 9 6 3 4
3.4901
69.80
2
3.9080 3.0690
78.16 61.38
1 -
DISCUSSION Construction safety performance for the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad is computed as 61.38 percent (Table 3) which should ideally be closer to 100. This warrants the need to enhance the standards of safety practices in construction industry. SAFETY PRACTICES The most neglected construction safety practices are highlighted as (1) safety training is not provided to the employees of subcontractors despite the fact that more than 50 percent of construction activities are carried out by subcontractors, (2) refresher safety training sessions are not conducted for the workers by client and contractor, (3) workers take unnecessary risks when not being supervised, resulting in higher accident rate (4) subcontractors are not encouraged to participate in safety meetings, and (5) no job specific safety training is given to workers before start of a job. SAFETY FACTORS Ranking of safety factors revealed that ‘safety training’ is the most neglected safety factor, followed by ‘safety in the contract documents’, ‘safety meetings’ and ‘workers′ involvement’. Survey revealed that workers are mostly made aware through safety posters and safety signs but detailed training is not carried out for the workers. Refresher safety training sessions are not at all conducted. Organizational chart showing safety duties is not displayed on most of the sites. Another gray area is that employees of subcontractors are neither given any safety training nor provided with any safety equipment. Interviews disclosed that stakeholders’ emphasis is only on improving quality, and reducing cost and time whereas safety is least on their agenda. This factor needs special attention by all the stakeholders of construction industry. Survey also revealed that contractor is always made responsible for providing safe work environment using his own resources whereas no budget is allocated for safety by the 316
client. Contractors’ selection is not based on his past safety record. Such a situation can only be improved if PEC takes a leading role by ensuring compliance with its safety clauses and by amending its registration criteria for all the construction firms to have safety staff on their projects. Toolbox talks are the most effective way for encouraging and facilitating site safety (Choudhry et al., 2008b) but survey revealed that weekly tool box meetings are mostly not held on construction sites. Moreover subcontractors are not encouraged to participate in safety meetings. Progress meetings are only focused on productivity issues where safety aspects are not discussed. For a positive safety culture, employees’ involvement is necessary (Choudhry et al., 2007). Results revealed that ‘workers’ involvement’ is the fourth most neglected safety factor. Workers sometimes do not follow safety rules and procedures and they have a tendency to take unnecessary risks when not being supervised. Moreover, workers do not feel comfortable wearing personnel protective equipment (PPE). There is a need to educate the workers about the importance of safety through training and media campaigns.
LIMITATION AND FUTURE DIRECTION Considering the limited time and resources, construction companies working only in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad were included in the survey. Other limitations being faced were non availability of the safety statistics at industry level and reluctance of contractors to share the actual data of injuries and fatalities. It is recommended that safety statistics for all injuries and fatalities may be maintained at the industry level so that safety performance may be monitored regularly.
CONCLUSIONS This paper reviews the existing literature on construction safety and identifies the flaws in construction safety practices. The following conclusions may be summarized: (1) Construction safety performance in the twin cities is assessed to be 61.38 percent. (2) The most neglected safety practices requiring special emphasis to enhance the safety performance are; safety training is not provided to employees of subcontractors, refresher safety training sessions are not conducted for all workers, workers take unnecessary risks when not being supervised, subcontractors are not encouraged to participate in safety meetings, and no job specific safety training is given to workers before start of a job. (3) The factor of ‘safety training’ has the lowest safety performance level i.e. 52.30 percent. Refresher safety training sessions are not at all conducted. Employees of subcontractors are neither given any safety training nor provided with personnel protective equipment. Moreover organizational charts showing safety duties are not displayed on most of the construction sites. (4) The second most neglected safety factor is ‘safety in the contract documents’, followed by ‘safety meetings’ and ‘workers′ involvement’.
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(5) Workers sometimes do not follow safety rules and procedures and they have a tendency to take unnecessary risks when not being supervised. Moreover, workers do not feel comfortable using personnel protective equipment. (6) Weekly toolbox meetings are mostly not held. Subcontractors are not encouraged to participate in safety meetings and progress meetings do not have safety on their agenda. (7) Stakeholders’ emphasis is only on improving quality, and reducing cost and time whereas safety is least on their agenda.
RECOMMENDATIONS (1) Safety may be emphasized at all times no matter how fast the construction needs to be completed and under what budget constraints. (2) Contractor selection may be based on past safety record. Moreover, PEC may amend its registration criteria for all the construction firms to have safety staff. (3) Contractors may accept only safety incorporated project plans and schedules from their project managers. (4) Depending upon the complexity of project, 1 to 3 percent of the project cost may be allocated for safety compliance by the client. (5) All the workers may be provided safety training regularly including subcontractors. (6) Safety awareness sessions may be conducted periodically and workers may be educated about the importance of using personnel protective equipment. Moreover, safety charts and posters having pictures to explain the required safety standards and safety duties may be displayed at prominent places on construction sites.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Financial support from Higher Education Commission, Pakistan is gratefully appreciated to undertake this research. Acknowledgements are addressed to employees of various construction companies in Pakistan for their valuable input to complete this research.
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APPENDIX 1. RANKING OF SAFETY PRACTICES Safety practices
Percentage
Ranking
2.803
56.0526
41
2.625
52.50
51
2.914
58.2894
37
3.27
65.3948
20
3.25
65.000
23
3.395
67.895
13
3.243
64.868
24
3.375
67.500
15
3.263
65.263
21
2.645
52.895
49
2.57
51.447
54
2.50
50.000
58
2.98
59.737
33
2.69
53.816
46
2.546
50.921
55
2.743
54.868
44
2.789
55.789
42
2.598 3.631 2.862 2.769
51.974 72.632 57.237 55.395
53 6 39 43
5. Accident reporting and investigation mechanism A written accident reporting and investigation 22 mechanism exists. 3.243 23 Accidents are always reported/recorded 3.467
64.868
25
69.342
9
1. Management’s commitment to safety Top priority of higher management is the safety 01 and not the productivity. There is no work pressure on workers and 02 safety is given priority over time. Regular safety inspections are conducted by 03 higher management/safety official 04 Management motivates to work safely. Company really cares about the health and safety of the people who work here. Field Engineer, Supervisor and Safety Officer 06 encourage reporting of hazards. Management acts quickly to correct safety 07 problems. Good communication is established between 08 management and workers. Sufficient manpower and equipment are always 09 made available by management, to do the job safely. 2. Workers’ involvement Safety rules and procedures are strictly 10 followed by workers. Workers react strongly against any violation of 11 safety rules by co-workers. People here always work safely even when 12 they are not being supervised. Workers do not consider safety as a 13 compulsion from the management. 3. Safety in the contract documents Contractor was mandated in contract to submit 14 his ‘safety policy’ for the project. Contractor is bound to submit ‘safety plan’ 15 before start of each task. 4. Safety rules/procedures and policies Company has developed its safety policy in the 16 light of OSHA. Site emergency plan is prepared and job 17 hazard analysis is done for each task. 18 Safety audits are conducted regularly. 19 First aid facility is made available on site. 20 Workers are medically examined regularly. 21 Insurance coverage is provided to workers. 05
Mean
319
Safety practices Investigations are always carried out to identify the causes of accidents. Near misses are also analyzed to mitigate the 25 future hazards. 6. Safety training 26 Training for new workers is compulsory. Refresher safety training sessions are 27 periodically conducted for all workers. Safety training is provided to the employees of 28 subcontractors also. Adequate job-specific safety training is given to 29 workers before start of a job. An organizational chart is displayed on site 30 showing names, positions and responsibilities for safety compliance. Safety posters and sign boards are used at 31 important places for worker’s awareness, in English and Urdu language. 7. Safety meetings 32 Tool box meetings are held weekly. Safety is discussed in all progress and pre33 construction meetings. 34 Subcontractors participate in safety meetings. 8. Incentives/disincentives for workers Workers completing the tasks, following safety 35 standards, are rewarded. Safety defaulters are penalized and then 36 trained also. 9. Use of personnel protection equipment (PPE) Company has an effective system for the 37 issuance/ inspection/replacement of PPE 38 PPE used on site, is of good quality. Workers are supposed to enter the work 39 site with hard hats on. Hearing protection and safety glasses 40 are used when needed. Workers at height always use safety belt along 41 with lanyard, which is secured. Safety nets used to prevent fall, where safety 42 belts can’t be used. 10. Housekeeping, storage and sanitation Site layout planning is done before start of work 43 and materials are stored properly. All openings and excavated areas are flagged / 44 barricaded. Sharp edges are covered/protected like nails 45 and steel bars etc. Sufficient lighting arrangements are made 46 where required. 24
Mean
Percentage
Ranking
3.224
64.474
26
2.803
56.053
40
2.632
52.632
50
2.309
46.184
59
2.303
46.053
60
2.513
50.263
56
2.618
52.368
52
3.316
66.316
17
2.677
53.553
47
2.69
53.816
45
2.513
50.263
57
2.671
53.421
48
2.927
58.553
36
3.21
64.211
27
3.355
67.105
16
3.203
64.079
29
2.941
58.816
35
3.210
64.211
28
2.901
58.026
38
3.559
71.184
7
3.434
68.684
11
2.960
59.211
34
3.724
74.474
3
320
Safety practices 47 48 49 50
Adequate quantity of water for drinking and washing is supplied. Walkways/staircases not littered with debris and wet spots cleaned up regularly. Scrap is disposed off regularly. No throwing or dropping of material/equipment carelessly. Material is secured against wind. Ventilation ensured at confined spaces.
51 52 11. Quality of scaffolding and ladders Properly designed / fastened scaffolds are 53 used which are inspected daily. Guardrails are placed on working scaffold 54 platforms to prevent any fall. Good quality ladders are used on work site 55 having no defective rungs. Mobile Work Platforms (MWP) are always fixed 56 firmly before using them. 12. Precautions during excavation and shoring Protection against trench cave-in is always 57 ensured by sloping or shoring. People employed in deep and narrow ditches 58 kept under continuous supervision. 13. Hoists and cranes operation Hoists and Cranes are inspected before their 59 operation. 60 Objects are fastened before lifting them. Average safety performance
Mean
Percentage
Ranking
3.677
73.553
4
3.158
63.158
31
3.191
63.816
30
3.408
68.158
12
3.395 3.645
67.895 72.895
14 5
3.283
65.658
19
3.151
63.026
32
3.263
65.263
22
3.289
65.789
18
3.447
68.947
10
3.533
70.658
8
3.914
78.289
1
3.901 3.0689
78.026 61.38
2 -
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