Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management (한국건설관리학회논문집)

Korea Institute of Construction Engineering and Management (한국건설관리학회)
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A Qualitative Study Understanding Unsafe Behaviors of Workers in Construction Sites

  • Sangwook Suh (Department of Architectural Engineering, Gachon University)
  • Received : 2023.09.20
  • Accepted : 2023.11.25
  • Published : 2023.11.30
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Abstract

Construction accidents result from a combination of factors, including both the actions of workers and the safety conditions on site. Despite advancements in enhancing construction site safety, there remains a gap in comprehending the cognitive processes underlying workers' unsafe behavior. This paper investigates and validates a qualitative model that delves into the potential causes of workers' unsafe actions by examining their cognitive processes, employing a system dynamics approach. By analyzing the interplay of various loops within this model, it offers both short- and long-term safety strategies for managers intent on minimizing unsafe behavior among workers. Specifically, safety managers should prioritize increasing workers' awareness of hazards through education and fostering a positive safety mindset. Moreover, they should task frontline supervisors with directly addressing and rectifying instances of unsafe behavior by workers. Lastly, construction safety managers ought to formulate safety strategies that take into account the cognitive states of workers to mitigate any adverse consequences of biased safety management. The outcomes of this research contribute to our comprehension of methods to enhance hazard perception among workers, curtail unsafe actions, and ultimately reduce construction accidents from a cognitive standpoint.

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