Evaluation of the occupational hazard perception of building construction workers from a psychometric paradigm and considering sociodemographic variables

Abstract

Historically, the construction industry has presented high accident rates, and in order to get a deeper understanding and making right decisions, it is interesting to consider the risks from a worker's point of view. This research addresses the perception of risks by construction workers from a psychometric paradigm and considering some sociodemographic variables. The study considered a sample consisted of a group of workers who belong to the Chilean construction industry, particularly from the building construction sector. Relevant risks associated with a high accident rate were identified through an extensive literature review. In addition, the relative risk related to physical overexertion and that related to the exposure to physical and chemical agents are considered. Based on a psychometric approach for the evaluation of qualitative attributes, a measurement instrument was applied; results were then statistically analyzed. Additionally, the incidence of sociodemographic variables was evaluated: age, profession, experience and educational level in relation to the perceived risk level. Statistically significant differences of the perceived risk associated to noise exposure, depending on the age of the workers were obtained. On the other hand, it was determined that workers with the most experience consider that those jobs that involve uncomfortable or forced postures constitute a relevant physical risk. Meanwhile, jobs such as: rebar workers, bricklayers and concrete workers, perceive the gravity and immediacy of the effect associated to risk significantly more in activities that involve repetitive movements.

Differences in Workplace Risk Perception between Foreign-Born and First-Generation Mexican American Construction Workers

“…These findings agree with Oah et al [ 22 ]. On the other hand, our results differ from the findings of Ellaban et al [ 41 ], Trillo-Cabello et al [ 5 ], Chaswa et al [ 42 ], and Forcael et al [ 3 ], who found that the risk perception was different depending on the age of the participants, for which they mention that this demographic variable is a factor that can influence such perceptions.…”

“…According to United States data, workers in the construction industry account for about six to eight percent of all workers, and injuries and deaths are not uncommon. Although the construction industry sector has had significant technological and procedural advances, these have not always positively affected risk and accident prevention [ 3 ]. Nowadays, construction workers must shoulder a high degree of risk [ 4 , 5 ].…”

Mejora en calidad del servicio analizando la relación entre riesgos psicosociales y el Engagement laboral en una empresa de mantenimiento de equipos de transporte vertical

“…[34] Existen tambien algunos estudios que miden la percepción del riesgo asociados a la seguridad y salud ocupacional, y que estan ligados al engagemente laboral, de los cuales se nota que hay una relación directa entre ambas variables. [39], [40], [41] El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la mejora en la calidad del servicio analizando la relación entre los factores psicosociales establecidos por el Ministerio de Trabajo y el Engagement en el trabajo en sus tres dimensiones: vigor, dedicación y absorción, en una empresa de servicios de mantenimiento de equipos de transporte vertical en la ciudad de Guayaquil, Ecuador.…”

Perceção De Risco Numa Amostra De Bombeiros Portugueses: Como Promover Comportamentos Seguros?

“…Esta relação positiva entre a perceção de risco e a adoção de comportamentos seguros é evidenciada em diversos estudos em contexto laboral (Arezes e Miguel, 2008;Rundmo, 1996;Mullen, 2004;Seo, 2005;Arezes e Bizarro, 2011;Brewer et al, 2004). O paradigma psicométrico (Fischhoff et al, 1978) considera o risco como subjetivo e multidimensional e é amplamente utilizado para quantificar e caracterizar a perceção de risco (Fox-Glassman e Weber, 2016; Forcael et al, 2018). O modelo utiliza uma análise composta por nove dimensões ou atributos (A1 a A9) da perceção do risco, e permite também a avaliação quantitativa da perceção global de risco (G), sendo possível identificar quais as dimensões que mais influência exercem sobre esta (INSHT, 2001;Rodríguez-Garzón et al, 2021).…”