IMPROVING RISK ASSESSMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Abstract

Accidents rates within the construction industry across the world continues to remain high despite the implementation of Risk Management (RM) and Risk Assessment (RA). This questions the effectiveness of RA and concerns have been expressed with regards to the adequacy of RA.

This study aims to identify gaps with regards to current methods of classifying risks and hazards and any inadequacies in RA. The study includes findings from the literature review which includes the definitions, the processes, and the evaluation of the system employed by different countries in managing risks and hazards. A qualitative analysis of fifty (50) RA forms from different construction companies in Singapore was done to identify any inadequacies in RA.

Results have established that there was (1) Poor presentation of hazards for work activities; (2) Lack of standardization of RA forms in the construction industry in terms of its organisation and risk matrices and (3) Lack of knowledge of the RA team resulting in the form to be filled inaccurately. Also, the perception of risk by individuals played a part in affecting how the RA form was filled and eventually the effectiveness of RA. Recommendations were also provided for RA and were categorised into internal and external factors. Internal factors dealt with standardization of risk perception through the use of a database and improving knowledge and experience of workers through government guidelines and a database for educational purposes. External factors dealt with safety management by enforcing safety regulations and improving safety culture.