Factors Influencing Safety on Construction Projects (fSCPs): Types and Categories

Abstract

Due to the fact of activity, environment and work dynamics, the construction industry is characterised by high accident rates. Different initiatives have emerged to reduce these figures, which focus on using new methodologies and technologies for safety management. Therefore, it is essential to know the key factors and their influence on safety in construction projects (fSCPs) to focus efforts on these elements. Through a systematic literature review, based on PRISMA methodology, this article identifies, describes and categorises 100 factors that affect construction safety. It thus contributes by providing a comprehensive general framework, unifying previous studies focused on specific geographic areas or case studies with factors not considered or insufficiently disaggregated, along with an absence of classifications focused on understanding where and how factors affect the different dimensions of construction projects. The 100 factors identified are described and categorised according to the dimensions and aspects of the project in which these have an impact, along with identifying whether they are shaping or immediate factors or originating influences for the generation of accidents. These factors, their description and classification are a key contribution to improving the systematic creation of safety and generating training and awareness materials to fully develop a safety culture in organisations.

Using the Pivot Pair-Wise Relative Criteria Importance Assessment (PIPRECIA) Method to Determine the Relative Weight of the Factors Affecting Construction Site Safety Performance

“…Despite these efforts, the construction industry is nevertheless plagued by high rates of occupational accidents across the world. Therefore, improving safety management requires identifying and grasping the factors that impact construction safety performance [20].…”

“…[19], [20], [22], [44] 2.1.3 Safety commitment Management commitment is the leadership, vision, and resources provided by management to implement an effective safety and health program [45]. Participating in frequent safety meetings, determining clear safety roles among management and employees, sitting on committees, and providing financing for other safety and health program aspects are all examples of management commitment to comply with safety regulations [46].…”

Virtual Reality Training for Occupational Risk Prevention: Application Case in Geotechnical Drilling Works

“…The construction industry is one of the sectors with the highest accident rates [5]. This characteristic is associated with working conditions, safety management, and training methods [6]. The main objective sought by safety managers is to achieve a safety culture on the job site [7].…”

Work-Related Injuries among Insured Construction Workers Presenting to a Swiss Adult Emergency Department: A Retrospective Study (2016–2020)

“…Considering that the probability of a serious accident in the construction sector is 2.5 times higher than in other industries and that globally 30–40% of these accidents are fatal, the socio-financial consequences can be devastating. In particular, accidental events at the construction site cause disabilities and affect the integrity of employees and their families, performance of the rest of the workers, and project productivity [ 30 ]. Thus, it is necessary to reduce rates of accidents on construction sites by establishing strategies and safety measures.…”