PERCEIVED OPERATIONAL HAZARDS IN HIGH RISE MODULAR CONSTRUCTION: AN AHP STUDY

Abstract

With the national movement for productivity, modular construction has been popularized in transforming the construction sector. This method is also known to improve construction safety, amidst the high risks working environment associated with construction. Hazards are ameliorated with less workers working on site and reduction of common construction hazards. The aim of this study is to provide better understanding of the assembly workflow of non-volumetric pre-assembly process, and to investigate the main hazards involved in this method. The study is based on a public housing construction in Singapore. Relevant information was obtained through extensive literature review, validation of site processes and interviews with professionals to seek insights on perceived operational hazards in modular construction. In applying Analytic Hierarchy Process to survey results, it was determined that the process of module transportation was perceived to expose workers to the highest risk. Among the assembly activities, it was revealed that guiding the movement of volumetric modules, transportation of modules on low-bed trailers, and hooking of modules were perceived to put workers at the highest risk. Collectively, these risks reveal the significance of hazards involved in working with large and heavy concrete modules. Alternative design considerations should be explored to reduce these hazards. This includes changes in materials or operational processes. In addition, safety supervisors should ensure that safety codes of practice are strictly adhered to. The findings provide a comprehensive study on the safety concerns of workers and seek to elevate the safety standards in the sphere of modular construction in Singapore’s context.