A Multifaceted Assessments of Occupational Hazards in a Building Construction Site: Insights from a Case Study

Abstract

The current study presents a comprehensive investigation of occupational hazards at a building construction site in Palembang, Indonesia. The primary aim of this research was to identify and understand the range of occupational safety and health (OSH) hazards present at the construction site, including physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, and psychological hazards, in a bid to enhance the mitigation of these hazards. The primary data collection methods involved direct observations, photographic documentation, and short interviews with on-site personnel where a substantial array of insights was collected, including the presence of a workplace safety program, the recognition of main, potential workplace hazards, and other unsafe activities which workers performed within their job. Considering the scale of the project, with only 40 workers involved and the minimum utilization of heavy equipment, the focus of the physical and biological hazards findings was fixed around the presence of a diesel engine that was used as a part of an improvised crane to lift and lower objects, as well as the accumulated waste (mostly discarded food packaging) that was built-up at one corner of the construction site. Other hazards were also identified, including chemical hazards related to specific on-site activities, ergonomic hazards arising from workers’ movements, and the psychological hazard of extended overtime hours. A series of recommendations were then tailored to address these recognized hazards as the conclusion of the study. While the research is site-specific, the insights and recommendations were expected to provide value for the broader construction sector, particularly for those facing the unique challenges posed by evolving OSH practices and emerging safety culture.