ATTITUDES OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SUPERVISORS TOWARDS MANAGING WORK-AT-HEIGHT RISKS IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify the attitudes of site supervisors in managing work-at-height risks on-site. As site supervisors hold an important role in a construction project, they contribute to the high number of fatalities that are caused by fall-from-height. Therefore, the objectives of this study include: 1) to determine the gaps in the current research on fall-from-height accidents in the construction industry, 2) to establish the perceptions of site supervisors towards work-at-height risks, 3) to determine the effectiveness of work-at-height regulations in reducing or eliminating the risk of fall-from-height. The research will focus on supervisors in the local construction industry.

A survey questionnaire was designed and sent to 66 construction firms with 40 responses received. One sample T-tests were performed to analyze the data obtained and results show that the site supervisors lack the awareness to manage work-at-height risks and that the majority of the respondents believe that the lack of supervision is the main cause for the high number of fall-from-height incidents. Two case studies were also analyzed to support the hypothesis that the attitudes of site supervisors do affect the high number of FFH fatalities. Additionally, results also suggest that the work-at-height courses are averagely sufficient in equipping the relevant knowledge to site supervisors. They also believe that work-at-height regulations are effective in reducing or eliminating risks. Even so, we cannot assume that they practise implementing the measures on-site as the fatality rates are still high.

Improvements to this study can be conducted whereby research can touch on the practical aspects of site supervisors on-site and explore other factors to the high number of fall-from-height accidents. Understanding other parties’ attitudes and getting their opinions on this study can also be done to ensure accuracy of the main cause for this issue. Nevertheless, limitations of this study include the low response rate, getting subjective responses, and the absence of pilot studies prior to conducting the survey.