Tripathi, P and Mittal, Y K (2025) Risk assessment and ranking methodology for occupational hazards in construction: A case of Indian high-rise projects. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 14(6), pp. 1927-1949. ISSN 2046-6099
Abstract
Purpose – The unique nature, complicated design, hazardous activities and complex work environment involved in the high-rise construction projects constitute significant risks worldwide. In the Indian context, construction safety management in high-rise construction projects is crucial due to the presence of significant occupational risks and hazards at the workplace. Occupational hazards lead to accidents that severely affect human health and result in substantial financial losses. Design/methodology/approach – The study aims to present a hybrid risk assessment method (RAM) and the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method to detect and evaluate occupational risks in different construction activities through a questionnaire survey approach. Findings – Aroundsix types of construction activities and corresponding ten risks are identified and evaluated during the study. Based on the calculation of risk scores, the findings imply that "roof work activities, " "finishing work, " "mechanical, electrical and plumbing work (MEP)" are hazardous construction activities, while, among the corresponding ten risks, "workers falling from height" is the most prominent risk among the majority of activities. Other risks include "risk due to fire and electric accidents" and "struck by falling objects, " which are the major risks in high-rise construction projects. Originality/value – Theoriginality of the paper lies in its activity-based risk assessment and ranking of hazards in high-rise construction projects. By integrating theoretical insights with practical applications, the study attempts to enhance occupational safety and reduce accidents on construction sites, thereby significantly contributing to both academia and industry practices.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction safety; high-rise projects; MCDM; risk assessment method; TOPSIS |
| Index terms: | construction safety, preference, questionnaire, methodology, survey, construction site, occupational hazard, human health, high-rise construction, roof, occupational safety, plumbing, work environment, presence, academia, risk assessment, topsis, construction activity |
| Subjects: | environmental science, construction operations, decision-making and reasoning, research methods, financial risk, building construction, decision-making and optimization, data collection methods, mechanical systems, work location, management, health risk and incident analysis, design practice, public and environmental health, occupational health and safety management, educational institutions, environmental health |
| Topics: | Health and Safety, Sustainability, Education, Cost Management, Research Practice, Design Practice, Site Management, Organizational Design |
| 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