Factors influencing safety performance in the construction industry

Abstract

The construction industry is one of the industries that contributing significant impact in the achievement of Malaysian economy. However, the construction industry is also one of industries that always be associated with high risk of hazards and dangerous activities. The aim of the present study was to identify factors influencing safety performance in the construction industry. The research method adopted in the present study was the quantitative method involving the deliver and collect questionnaire. The questionnaire covered 14 factors that influencing safety performance in the construction industry. The targeted respondents were the construction firms in Sibu, Sarawak that are registered as Grade 5, 6 and 7 under Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) in building works. Out of 48, there were 27 returned questionnaires. The response rate was 56.2%. The present study revealed that top five factors that influencing safety performance were “personal protective equipment”, “role of government and engineering societies”, “signs, signal and barricades”, “safety educating and training”, and “emergency planning and preparation”. The present study proposes that the employment of safety professional is essential in improving safety performance in the construction industry.