Safety violations of the construction workers in Hong Kong : quantitative and qualitative analysis of the dynamics

Abstract

There is limited research directly related to safety violations in the Hong Kong construction workers. There is also no well-established theoretical framework for explaining safety violations. The determinants of safety violations have been mentioned in different studies but they have not yet been statistically examined in the context of the Hong Kong construction industry. In addition, most studies are still at preliminary stage and very few of them explore the dynamic of construction projects. This study is therefore focused on filling a gap in existing research.

By adapting the framework of the Theory of Planned Behaviour, a quantitative questionnaire survey is conducted to provide statistical data for examining the relationships among distal factors (High Reliability Organising (HRO) and perceived quality of safety rules and procedures), proximal factors (attitude, norms and perceived behavioural control), intention and self-reported safety violations and compliance. A total of 365 nos. of valid responses obtained from two large contractors are used for analysis. 37 nos. of qualitative semi-structured interviews are also conducted for exploring safety violations of Hong Kong construction workers and further explaining the results of the questionnaire survey.

The results suggest that the Hong Kong construction workers’ intention is positively linked to safety violations and compliance. Two proximal factors, perceived behavioural control and attitude, significantly affect the construction workers’ intention. Perceived behavioural control is the most significant factor and presents as self-competence, work pressures and external influences driving and impeding the construction workers’ compliance with safety rules whereas attitude refers to how they value safety.

High Reliability Organising (HRO), the distal factor that refers to construction companies demonstrating anticipation and containment for unexpected events, contributes perceived behavioural control, attitude and descriptive norms. The qualitative analysis deeply reveal the dynamics of Sih-Fus (師傅) (old workers) who constitute a majority of the workforce. A low level of engagement generally exists among management, supervisors and workers. The interviews reveal current weaknesses of safety training and institutional issues (macro factors such as subcontracting and salary system and competitive tendering) in the Hong Kong construction industry.

The findings highlight the importance of interventions for improving the workers’ intention of safety compliance through perceived behavioural control and attitude. Construction organisations should improve and develop a mindful safety culture with a view to becoming high-reliability organisations. All stakeholders including government departments, clients, main contractors, subcontractors and workers should be involved in construction safety since these are complex institutional issues. The study further shed light on safety engagement as a positive step for safety management in the Hong Kong construction industry.

Keywords: Safety violations, Safety compliance, Theory of Planned Behaviour, High-reliability Organising, Engagement, Training, Safety management