Das, D K (2022) Exploring the factors and measures to improve safety in road construction in India. Journal of Construction in Developing Countries, 27(1), pp. 139-152. ISSN 1823-6499
Abstract
Accidents at road construction sites are pervasive in India. Therefore, using data obtained from construction sites on a national highway in India, the major factors that contribute to the occurrence of accidents were explored in this study and various strategic and operational interventions that could be implemented to improve safety in road construction were established. A questionnaire survey was conducted among the relevant stakeholders to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. Inferential statistical methods, including ordinal regression modelling, were used to analyse quantitative data and narrative and interpretive methods were used to analyse qualitative data. Based on the results, it was found that several factors, related to four important aspects, contribute significantly to the occurrence of accidents, including site conditions, traffic conditions, behaviour and attitude of construction workers, and information and training. It was established that operational interventions, such as the installation of early warning systems, mandatory use of safety equipment and gear, and signage and control at road construction sites can reduce accidents significantly. In addition, strategic interventions, such as implementing a specific road construction safety policy, creating awareness among the stakeholders and including the cost of health and safety in the project cost are vital. However, it was found that operational interventions are more influential than strategic interventions in the context of safety on road construction sites.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction safety; construction site; equipment; highway; traffic; health and safety; policy; project cost; road construction; safety; training; construction worker; stakeholders; India; questionnaire survey |
| Index terms: | health and safety, project cost, early warning, survey, regression modelling, construction site, questionnaire, narrative, construction safety, road construction, statistical method, construction worker, safety equipment, India |
| Subjects: | civil engineering, economics, Geography, health safety and environment, qualitative and interpretive research, financial risk, occupational health and safety management, statistical analysis, environmental health, data collection methods, practitioner, work location |
| Topics: | Site Management, Roles and Professions, Sustainability, Cost Management, Health and Safety, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Engineering Principles |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here