PERCEPTION OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION WORKERS TOWARDS SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

The construction industry is known as one of the most hazardous activities. Therefore, safety on the job site is an important aspect with respect to the overall safety in construction. This paper assesses the safety level perception of the construction building workers towards safety, health and environment on a construction job site in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The above study was carried out by choosing 5 selected large building construction projects and 5 small building construction projects respectively in and around Kuala Lumpur area. In the present study, an exhaustive survey was carried out in these 10 project site areas using a standard checklist and a detailed developed questionnaire. The checklist comprised 17 divisions of safety measurements which are considered and perceived to be important from the safety point of view and was assessed based on the score obtained. The questionnaire comprised the general information with 36 safety attitude statements on a 1-5 Likert scale which was distributed to 100 construction workers. The results of the checklist show the difference of safety levels between the large and small projects. The study revealed that the large projects shown a high and consistent level in safety while the small projects shown a low and varied safety levels. The relationship between the factors can be obtained from the questionnaire. They are organizational commitment, factor influencing communication among workmates, worker related factors, personal role and supervisors’ role factors, obstacles to safety and safe behavior factors and management commitment at all levels in line with the management structure and risk taking behavioral factors. The findings of the present study revealed invaluable indications to the construction managers especially in improving the construction workers’ attitude towards safety, health and environment and hence good safety culture in the building construction industries

Waste quantification models for estimation of construction and demolition waste generation: a review

Quantification is crucial for construction and demolition waste management. Accurate estimation can be satisfied by developing waste quantification model that is applicable for regional or nation-wide C&D waste generation. This paper presents a review on quantification models for C&D waste from literatures and how they correlate. Most studies combine the empirical waste assessment data or waste generation factor obtained in the field with area of activity level extracted from national statistical database from their respective countries, which provides annual data on sector activities. National or regional estimates provide general figures and forecasts for annual C&D waste generation. Studies found that waste generation factor will differs according to locations. Since volume and characteristic of waste are crucial for waste quantification, quantitative data record from waste audit findings could benefit the authorities for the annual estimates. National C&D waste reduction plan should start from well-established waste minimisation plan at project sites. Copyright © 2012 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd