i

CRITICAL CAUSES FACTOR OF FALL ACCIDENT

IN CONSTRUCTION SITE

NORASIMA BINTI JAMALUDIN

A Report Submitted In

Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of

Degree of Bachelor in Civil Engineering

Faculty of Civil Engineering and Earth Resources

Universiti Malaysia Pahang

NOVEMBER 2010

v

ABSTRACT

The construction industries are a very dangerous environment which had ahistory of a relatively high number of injuries in comparison of other industries.Work at the high level has a tendency to involve in fall accident. Falls accidentis one of the major leading causes of work facilities that occur to labor in theconstruction site. The aim of this study to investigate the safety problem inconstruction site, then identify the critical cause factor of fall accident inconstruction site, the solution and analysis the factors. The data was collectedthrough interview, industrial visit,constructed and distiburted questionnaire inorder to indentify the safety requirements in construction site. All of theinterview and research questionnaire survey are conducted among contractor incompany area Kuala Lumpur and Kuantan, Pahang. Returned questionnairewere analyses with average index to rank the factor of causes fall accident andfrequency analysis method to identify the safety aspect in construction site.From the analysis find that unsafe behavior is the critical causes of fall accidentin costruction site. In conclusion with existance of this study, it can boost upknowledge about safety and the company can be aware to prevent the fallaccident from happen in the construction site.

vi

ABSTRAK

Industri pembinaan adalah persekitaran yang sangat merbahaya yangmempunyai sejarah yang mempunyai nilai relatif angka kecederaanberbanding industri lain. Bekerja di tempat tinggi memiliki kecenderunganuntuk terlibat dalam kemalangan jatuh. Kemalangan jatuh adalah salah satupunca utama kemudahan kerja yang berlaku kepada tenaga kerja dalampembangunan. Objektif kajian ini untuk menyiasat masalah keselamatan dilokasi pembinaan, kemudian mengenalpasti kritis faktor penyebabkemalangan jatuh di tapak pembinaan,serta penyelesaiannya dan analisisfaktor-faktor berikut. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara, lawatanindustri, borang soal selidik untuk mengenal pasti keperluan keselamatan dilokasi pembinaan. Semua wawancara dan survei boring kaji selidikdilakukan di antara syarikat kontraktor di Kuala Lumpur danKuantan,Pahang.Borang soal selidik yang telah diisi,dianalisis dengan indeksuntuk menentukan kedudukan faktor penyebab kemalangan jatuh dan kaedahanalisis frekuensi untuk mengenalpasti aspek keselamatan dalampembinaan.Rumusan bagi kajian ini mendapati,tingkah laku tidak selamatmenjadi factor utama berlaku kemalangan jatuh dari tempat tinggi.Di dalamkajian ini, boleh meningkatkan pengetahuan tentang keselamatan dansyarikat boleh berhati-hati untuk mengelakkan kemalangan jatuh daripadaberlaku di tapak pembinaan.

vii

TABLE OF CONTENT

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

TOPIC i

DECLARATION ii

DEDICATION iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv

ABSTRACT v

ABSTRAK vi

TABLE OF CONTENT vii

LIST OF TABLES xi

LIST OF FIGURES xii

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Background of Problem 3

1.3 Problem Statement 6

1.4 Objectives 7

1.5 Scope of Study 7

1.6 Methodology 8

1.7 Significant of Study 11

1.8 Expected Outcome 11

viii

2 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction 12

2.2 Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) 16

2.3 OSH Act Agencies 16

2.4 Function of the Occupational Safety and Health

Administration (OSHA) 16

2.4.1 Management of workplace

occupational health risks. 16

2.4.2 Management of Workers’ Health 17

2.4.3 Provision of clinical services 19

2.4.4 Record keeping 19

2.5 Types of fall accident 20

2.5.1 Excavation 20

2.5.2 Scaffolding 21

2.5.3 Ladder 23

2.5.4 Roof Work 25

2.5.5 Crane 26

2.6 Causes of fall accident 28

2.6.1 Unsafe behavior 28

2.6.2 Unsafe practice 31

2.6.3 Unsafe workplace condition 31

ix

3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction 38

3.2 Research Design 39

3.2.1 Literature Review 41

3.2.2 Industrial Visit (Site Visit) 42

3.2.3 Interview 42

3.2.4 Questionnaire Survey 43

3.3 Data Collection 47

3.3.1 Method Distribution 47

3.3.2 Data Analysis 48

3.3.2.1 Frequency Analysis 48

3.3.2.2 Average Index 48

3.4 Summary 50

4 DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Introduction 51

4.2 Section A: Profile and Background

of Respondent 52

4.3 Section B: Critical cause’s factor of

fall accident in construction site 55

4.4 Analysis of critical causes factor of fall

accident in construction site 59

4.4.1 Unsafe behavior in construction site. 61

4.4.2 Unsafe practice in construction site 63

4.4.3 Unsafe workplace condition in

construction site 65

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4.5 Section C: Solution for the fall accident

in construction site 67

4.5.1 Good Behavior 67

4.5.2 Good practice 69

4.5.3 Good workplace condition 71

4.6 Summary 73

5 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Introduction 74

5.2 Limitation of Study 75

5.3 Conclusion 75

5.4 Recommendations 76

5.5 Summary 77

REFERENCES 78

Appendices A

Appendices B

xi

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE NO TITLE PAGE

1.1 Number of Construction Accidents and Fatalities 4

1.2 Cases of Accident in Construction Site, 2007 5

2.1 Fatal falls to employee in Construction Industry 15

2.2 Summary of Various Researchers (Unsafe behavior) 29

2.3 Summary of Various Researchers (Unsafe practice) 32

2.4 Summary of Various Researchers

(Unsafe workplace condition) 35

3.1 Modification of the level of agreement and

evaluation 49

4.1 Percentages of “Respondents Rate” 52

4.2 Percentage of “Type of company” 52

4.3 Ranking of Probability “The most critical

cause’s factor of fall accident” 55

4.4 Modification of the level of

agreement and evaluation 59

4.5 Unsafe behavior 61

4.6 Unsafe practice 63

4.7 Unsafe workplace condition 65

4.8 Good behavior 67

4.9 Good practice 69

4.10 Good workplace condition 71

xii

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE NO TITLE PAGE

1.1 Summarized of Methodology 8

1.2 Flow chart of Methodology 10

2. 1 Number of Construction Industry Accidents

from 1993-2003 13

2.2 Number of Construction Fatalities from

1993-2003 14

2.3 Excavation 20

2.4 Work using Scaffolding 22

2.5 Basic Scaffolding term without board,

bracing and coupler 23

2.6 Work using the ladder 24

2.7 The right way during roof work 26

2.8 Crane operation in the construction site 27

3.1 Method likert’s scale 46

4.1 Method of Delivery 53

4.2 Indicator for “Categorization of Respondents

by Profession” 54

4.3 Indicator for “Professional Experience of

respondent” 54

4.4 Indicator for “The most critical cause’s

factor of fall accident” 56

xiii

1

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

The building construction industry plays a major role in the economy of the

state of Malaysia. The construction industries are a very dangerous environment

which has had a history of a relatively high number of injuries in comparison of

other industries. In most countries, falls are one of the major leading causes of work

facilities that occur to labor in the construction site. According to the Bureau of

Labor Statistics (2002), the construction industry accounted for 20% of the

workplace fatalities across all industry sectors in 2000, and 8.8% of the occupational

injuries and illnesses. The fatality rate in construction is regularly exceeded only by

the worker fatality rate in mining and agriculture.

2

Construction is often classified as a high risk industry because it has

historically been plague with much higher and unacceptable injury rates when

compared to other industries (Abd.Ghani Khalid, 1996). Sawach et.al, (1999)

discussed various variables that influence safety on construction sites. The impacts

of the historical, economical, psychological, technical, procedural, organizational

and environmental issues are considered in terms of how these factors are linked

with the level of site safety.

Construction accident does not only result in human injuries but also financial

injuries. The accident not only terrible human tragedies but also substantial

economic cost because accidents also cause legal cost, increased insurance premium

damage plant and equipment. Any accident in construction site involves direct and

indirect cost to a firm. The direct cost are those costs incurred as a direct result of a

accident, including the cost of transportation the injured worker to the nearest

medical facility, medical expanses wages paid to the injured worker, liability costs

and damaged equipment and material. Indirect cost is any additional cost generated

by the accident occurrence, investigation and cost hiring the temporary replacement

(Hinze and Applegate, 1991). Fang et.al (2006) conducted a comprehensive safety

climate questionnaire on all sites of a leading construction company and its

subcontractors in Hong Kong.

The results of this study were then compared to previous research studies. The

findings revealed significant statistical relationships between safety climate and

personal characteristics, including safety knowledge, direct employer and individual

safety behavior. Ultimately, these findings could provide useful information for

construction managers and safety practitioners in the construction industry to

improve their safety culture. According to a Business Round Table report

(Construction Industry Institute, 1988).

3

The cost of an effective construction safety and health program in the USA is

approximately 2.5% of direct labor costs. Successful safety programs have been

developed by many construction companies and have shown remarkable results.

Dupont’s safety training and observation program achieved good results in reducing

work-place accidents (Peyton and Rubio, 1991).

1.2 Background of problem

Accidents are the direct results of unsafe activities and conditions both can be

controlled by management. Over the years, the construction industries reported the

highest rates of work-related injuries and deaths. Occupational Safety and Health

Administration (OSHA) has identified the top four causes of fatalities namely falls,

being stuck by equipment or machineries, electrocution, and caught in between

equipment. High-rise building can be classified when the Buildings between 75 feet

(23 m) and 491 feet (150 m) high or more than 4 level are, by some standards.

Evelyn et al., (2005) presented the results of a postal survey of contractors in

Singapore.

The findings revealed that site accidents are more likely to happen when there

are inadequate company policies, unsafe practices, and poor attitudes of construction

personnel, poor management commitment and insufficient safety knowledge and

training of workers. The study recommended that project managers must pay more

attention regarding the factors identified above to help enhance safety performance

on construction sites and reduce the frequency of accidents. The workers have the

risk to involve in accident. Fall accident in construction not the rarely problem. It

may happen everywhere and every time if we neglect the safety.

4

There have been several researches in the pass done concerning falls. Duncan

and Benent in 1991 stated that there are two (2) measures are those that prevent the

workers from fall an active and passive measure. Morris and Isaac (1980) defined

falls as an up toward event in which the patient comes to rest unintentionally on the

floor. Singh in 2000 investigated fall accidents occurring on low-rise roofs and

evaluated some innovation fall protection measures. From the investigation

concluded that no single method of fall prevention would prevent. However in

Malaysia, the construction industry accident rates are not as high as in other

countries but number of accident is still alarming.

Table 1.1 : Number of Construction Accidents and Construction Fatalities,

2000-2005(SOCSO Annual Report, 2005)

OSHA also suggested several methods to control fall hazards, including

elimination of or substitution for the operation that can lead to falls, use of

engineering controls guard against falls, informing and reminding workers at risk to

void fall hazards and appropriate use of personal protection equipment (PPE)

(Huang and Hinze,2003). Bakri et al., 2006 stated that the one key success is by

minimizing cost of project. Providing a safe and health workplace is one of the most

effective strategies for holding down the cost of doing construction business.

YEAR 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Construction

Accidents

4,873 4,593 5,015 4,654 4,445 3,150

Construction

fatalities

159 89 88 95 81 77

5

Table 1.2: Cases of Accident in Construction Site, 2007

(Department of Occupational Safety and Health Annual Report, 2007)

Date Accident Locationi. 21 Jan 2007 Fall from roof Construction Site,Negeri

Sembilanii. 12 Mar 2007 Fall from 7th to 2nd floor Construction Site,Kuala

Lumpuriii. 28 Mar 2007 Fall of worker from platform

of scaffoldingConstruction Site,Melaka

iv. 02 Apr 2007 Fall from Height Construction Site,Selangor

v. 14 Apr 2007 Fall from 6th floor Construction Site,Selangor

vi. 01 Jun 2007 Fall from 1st floor Construction Site.Selangor

vii. 20 Aug 2007 Fall from scaffolding Construction Site,NegeriSembilan

viii. 10 Oct 2007 Crushed to death by excavator Logging Site,Sarawak

ix. 15 Oct 2007 Fall from lorry Plantation,Pahang

x. 17 Dec 2007 Struck by flying rock Construction Site,Perak

The accident will cause the injury and sometimes lost the life for workers

and the negative effect is the construction will be stop for investigate causing delay

to happen. The cost resulting from injuries and equipment damage, combined with

the associated financial loss resulting from schedule disruptions, insurance hikes,

and workers compensation, impact the profitability of any construction operation.

These costs may be minimized or avoided through focused safety efforts on

construction job sites. Kjoo-Jin and David (2006) considered the issue of safety risks

on construction sites.

6

The authors stated that safety managers needed to be aware of the direct

causes of accidents as well as the indirect factors that adversely affect on site safety.

In addition, the authors presented a theory of safety planning method which

estimated the risk distribution of a project and helped the safety manager to both

estimate situations of concentrated risk and to reschedule them when necessary. The

advancement in social science has promoted a greater awareness of the sanctity of

life and the unacceptability of premature death due to accidents. Accidents at

construction sites are identified as a major problem throughout the world. So, the

accident report is very important for the industry to investigate and prevent

reoccurrence of the accident.

1.3 Problem statement

In the construction project, money is the important thing. To get the success

project, we must consider on quality, time and cost. All three main points are related

with safety. If safety is negligible, it may affect the time of completing the project,

and also can increasing the cost. Of course the quality of the company and project

cannot be maintained. Accident will be happen if worker and the company did not

follow the safety regulation. Fall accident is one of the factors increasing the

construction fatalities nowadays. If fall accident happens, it may influence the

injuries or die, the cost and the company reputation. This problem will always

increasing if all parties did not together to reduce the number of cases. The company

needs to identify the causes of the fall accident. Therefore, the objectives for this

study are to investigate the safety problem in construction site and identify the

critical factor of fall accident and the solution also analysis the causes of fall

accident.

7

1.4 Objectives

The aim of this study is to provide general perspectives of safety in

construction site. The specific objectives of this study are:-

i. To investigate the safety problem in construction site especially who

work at the high place.

ii. To identifies the factor of cause fall accident in construction site and

the solution.

iii. To analysis the factor that influences the accident and the precaution

steps.

1.5 Scope of study

Scope of this study is focused on safety in construction site, the safety

problem and the solution. This research project focuses on high-rise building, high

place where activities are being carried out under private and government

department. The companies will be involved for this study is around Kuala Lumpur

and Kuantan,Pahang.

8

1.6 Methodology

Figure 1.1: Summarized of Methodology

Literature review

Industrial Visit

(First visit)

Investigate the safetyproblem in

construction site

Analyze the factorthat influences the

accident

Identify the critical cause’s factor offall accident in construction project

and the solution

Industrial visits (second visit) developand distribute the questionnaire form

Data analysis:

Average index

Frequency analysis

Conclusion

Unsafe behavior is the critical causes of fall accident

9

Figure 1.1 shows the summarized of this project. It is important to fulfill the

objectives. For this research, it starts with the literature review from the journal,

news, books and others. For the first industrial visit functional as to survey the site

and company’s project. Set of questionnaire can distribute during this visit. For this

industrial visit, safety problem in construction site can be investigate, the critical

causes factor of fall accident can be identify. For the second industrial visit is

important to collect all the set of questionnaire for analyze. All the questionnaire

will be analyze using average index and frequency analysis. After done analyze all

the questionnaire, conclusion will be obtain.

10

Figure 1.2: Flow chart of Methodology

Literature Review

1. Journal

2. Internet

3. News

4. Interview

Problem statement

Fall accident can get the huge impact to the project andcompany reputation

Data analysis

Average Index (A.I)

Frequency Analysis

Objective 1: To investigate the safety problem in construction site especially whowork at the high place

Activity: - Literature review- Interview

Objective 2: To identify the factor of fall accident in construction site and thesolution

Activity: - Literature review- Questionnaire- Distribute questionnaire form

Objective 3: To analysis the factor that influences the accident and the precaution

steps

Activity: - Literature review- Questionnaire- Distribute questionnaire form

Conclusion

Unsafe behavior is the critical causes of fall accident

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1.7 Significant of study

The successful construction project can be determine by four aspect; time,

cost, quality and safety. Without money, the project cannot complete in a due date.

Safety can make the same impact with the money. If accident happen, it may disturb

the time of project, it may delay some a few day or a month. It may increase the

cost, besides; the quality of management will be decrease. So, from this study will

help to measure the safety in a construction project. Besides, the management can be

provide the precaution step and try to avoid an accident. As a result, the statistic of

accident can be decreasing and the quality of project can be maintain and complete

on the time.

1.8 Expected Outcome

At the end of this course, the management would be able to apply and used

the suggestion precaution step to prevent an accident. The workers and the

contractor can be understand safety aspect and follow the rule.

12

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction

Fall from buildings and other fixed structures have focused on the

construction site. Nowadays, to minimize the area for the construction, all project

managers take the opportunity to built high-rise building. It also suitable for our

country which is did not have earthquake and four seasons. In this chapter, there

are several part will be discussed which are Occupational Safety and Health Act

(OSHA), types of falls accident and the causes of the fall accident. OSHA has

identified the top four causes of fatalities namely falls being struck by equipment

or machinery, electrocution and caught in between equipment (US Department of

Labor, 2008).Construction industry in Malaysia have been identified as one of the

most hazardous activities. Awang (2007) reported out of 73858 industrial

accidents recorded in 2003, while 4654 accidents were come from the construction

industry where 2.0 % or 95 cases resulted in death.

13

Figure 2.1 shows the number of accidents reported to Social Security

Organization (SOCSO) from 1993 to 2003 whilst Figure 2.2 shows the number of

fatalities in construction industries for the same period.

Figure 2.1: Number of Construction Industry Accidents from 1993-2003

(Awang, 2007)

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004

case

s

year

Number of Construction Industry Accidents from 1993-2003

Cases

14

Figure 2.2: Number of Construction Fatalities from 1993-2003 (Awang, 2007)

The common source of fatalities in recent years has been injury,acounting

for almost one-third of the total.Following the introduction of the construction (Head

Protection) Regulation on 1 April 1990,in most years,at least 40 % of all

construction have been falls from height.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004

case

s

year

Number of Construction Fatalities from 1993-2003

Cases