The aim of this study was to investigate the work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among workers in wall plastering jobs within the construction industry.
Studies have proven that client satisfaction (CS) is greatly affected by the nature of construction practices on site. However, not much attention has been given to CS in projects that adopt green construction practices (GCPs). This study examines the effect of GCPs on CS, and the means by which CS can be achieved through health and safety performance (HSP). This study also analyses how the relationship between HSP and CS could vary depending on the level of GCPs adopted. A questionnaire with 27 items drawn from literature was used in collecting data from class A contractors in Nigeria. The study's hypotheses were tested using the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique. The findings of the study reveal that GCPs have a positive effect on CS. HSP proved to only partially mediate the relationship between GCPs and CS. The findings also show that the effect of HSP on CS is moderated by GCPs with the stronger effect from projects with low adoption of GCPs. The study's findings highlight the pivotal role of HSP in ensuring CS in construction projects that adopt GCPs. This study makes practical contributions to the body of existing knowledge by highlighting the need for concerted efforts by contractors such as investing in health and safety training and ensuring site workers wear personal protective equipment aimed at adhering to acceptable health and safety standards. This can be achieved through provision of funds for safety activities, monitoring, and supervision of workers to guarantee HSP which translates to CS while adopting GCPs. However, the obstacles to these are the lack of safety culture by construction organizations, lack of enlightenment on the part of construction site workers, and poor safety climate on the construction project site. Additionally, the study provides greater insight on the practice of green construction among contractors by showing that the effect of HSP on CS would differ considerably on account of the level of GCPs adopted.
The adoption of green construction practices (GCP) has been on the increase in recent years as a means of reducing the negative effects of construction on the natural environment. However, GCP have been discovered to expose the construction workers to numerous health and safety (HS) risks, resulting from a decline in safety investment due to the economic burden associated with its adoption. This study explores the means through which GCP influence the HS performance of construction projects through economic performance. To obtain the views of contractors, a survey questionnaire was developed, and data was collected from project managers and site managers of "class A" contractors, with a response rate of 81.55%. The partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique was adopted to analyze the data. The results show that the effect of GCP on HS performance is fully mediated by economic performance. The study concludes that for projects that adopt GCP to have high levels of HS performance, they are required to have an optimal economic performance. Efforts should be intensified by the government in providing subsidies, tax waivers, and other incentives for adopters of GCP to ensure the economic performance of their projects since it guarantees high HS performance.
This paper seeks to clarify Building Information Modelling (BIM) and its implementation in Malaysia.
Most developed countries that have implemented BIM in the construction industry have found it effective. This paper reviews existing literature on the implementation of BIM and examines the implementation strategies that have been developed. The review highlights numerous advantages of BIM in construction, which include, among others, reducing cost, time, carbon burden and capital cost. BIM can also help increase broader efficiencies and improve coordination and communication between each party. However, implementing BIM is complicated and requires efforts from both the government and the private sector. While the implementation of BIM may reduce costs in developed countries, it may not do so in developing countries; in Malaysia, for instance, costs act as an initial barrier. Other obstacles to implementing BIM in Malaysia include application system requirements and lack of knowledge and readiness to change. To facilitate its implementation in the construction industry, the Malaysian government needs to hold seminars to promote a better understanding of BIM. They may also introduce a properly structured BIM course by preparing a standard code of practices and guidelines for BIM in the education sector.
This paper examined the significant relationship between government regulation and
construction waste management among Malaysian construction industries. Survey
was conducted among 10 contractors registered G7, using proportionate stratified
random sampling, out of which 10 questionnaire were collected for data analysis with
five point Likert scale categories of waste management from previous studies,
statistical analysis affirmed a significant positive relationship between government
regulation and construction waste management in Malaysian construction industries
through Statistical Package for the Social Sciences.
This paper assessed the significant relationship between organizational culture and
material risk among Kuantan Malaysian construction industries. Survey was
conducted among 10 registered G7 contractors operating in Kuantan construction
industry. Proportionate stratified random sampling was used out of which 10
questionnaires were distributed for pilot study. Methodologically, this research is
perhaps the first to assess the relationship between organizational culture and
material risk among Malaysian construction industries with five point Likert scale
categories of material risk from previous studies. Statistical analysis affirmed a
significant positive relationship between organizational culture and material risk
among Malaysian construction industries through Statistical Package for Social
Sciences (SPSS).
The construction industry is one of the largest sectors in Malaysia. This industry has become one of the main contributors
for national economic development and consistently contributes 3% to 5% to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This
sector has also opened up job opportunities for various levels of employment. High demands and rapid urbanization offer huge
opportunities for registered contractors. Despite contributing in enhancing national economics, this sector has been regarded as one
of the most dangerous and hazardous workplaces due to the type of nature and the job activities at construction sites. According to
the International Labour Organization (ILO), 2.3 million fatalities related to occupational accidents and illnesses are estimated to
occur each year. Furthermore, 4 percent of world GDP is estimated to be lost due to occupational accidents and illnesses. The number
of fatality accidents in the construction industry was the highest with 652 cases of non-permanent disability (NPD) and permanent
disability (PD) accidents in the period 2007 to 2015, equivalent to 72.44 cases per year and representing 48.77% of the construction
industry. The huge gap between the number of accidents reported to SOCSO and DOSH becomes a major concern due to a rising
number of underreported cases of fatalities and injury in the construction sector, especially those involving foreign labour. The margin
between accidents reported to SOCSO and DOSH is 97.49%. Regards to rapid developments, safety measures to improve performance
management of OSH should be emphasized to reduce losses of life, property and productivity.
In this paper, the influence of effective communication in construction risk
management among Kuantan Malaysian construction industries was assessed. Then a
survey was conducted on pilot test among 10 local construction industries in Kuantan
Malaysian, using stratified random sampling, out of which 10 questionnaires were
collected for data analysis. Methodologically, this research is perhaps the first to
study the influence of effective communication on construction risk management
among Kuantan Malaysian construction industries. Using the five point Likert scale
categories of risk management from previous studies. Pearson Correlation anaylysis
output results affirmed that there is a strong positive relationship between effective
communication and construction risk management among Kuantan construction
industries.
This paper assessed the relationship between team competency and design risk
management among Kuantan construction industries. Similarly, a survey was
conducted among 10 local and national construction industries in Kuantan with a
stratified random sampling. The returned questionnaires yielded 10 responses which
was used for data analysis. Five point Likert scale categories of risk management from
the previous studies was used and statistical analysis affirmed that there is positive
relationship between team competency and design risk management among Kuantan
construction industries.
Mild steel plays an essential part in many construction industries due to its low cost and excellent mechanical properties. However, the use of strong acid in pickling, construction, and oil refining processes adds to a serious corrosion problem for mild steel. Two Cu(II) dithiocarbamate (DTC) complexes were successfully synthesised, namely Cu(II) ethyl-benzyl DTC (Cu[EtBenzdtc]2) and Cu(II) butyl-methyl DTC (Cu[BuMedtc]2) complexes, by a condensation reaction and subsequently used to scrutinise the corrosion resistance activity towards mild steel in acidic media. The proposed structures of complexes were characterised by using the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopies. The melting point for Cu[EtBenzdtc]2 was found around 362–375°C, and 389–392°C for Cu[BuMedtc]2. The percentages of Cu(II) found in Cu[EtBenzdtc]2 and Cu[BuMedtc]2 were 7.6% and 7.5%, respectively. Both complexes were non-electrolyte based on the molar conductivity analysis. Their corrosion inhibition performances were tested by using a weight loss measurement. Cu[BuMedtc]2 showed a good result as a corrosion inhibitor compared to Cu[EtBenzdtc]2. The complexes showed good effectiveness in sulfuric acid (H2SO4) compared to hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution. Furthermore, Cu[BuMedtc]2 showed a good result as a corrosion inhibitor compared to Cu[EtBenzdtc]2 with the highest percentage of corrosion inhibition recorded at 91.8%. Meanwhile, the highest percentage of corrosion inhibition shown by Cu[EtBenzdtc]2 was only 86.9%. The lowest corrosion rate shown for Cu[BuMedtc]2 was 8.1944×10-4 cm-1 h-1. Meanwhile, the Cu[EtBenzdtc]2 showed the lowest corrosion rate only at 1.3194×10-3 cm-1 h-1. This implies that Cu[BuMedtc]2 showed lower corrosion rate but higher inhibition efficiency compared to Cu[EtBenzdtc]2.
This paper assessed the effect of time overruns on apartment building among
Kuantan Malaysian construction industries. A survey was conducted among 10
construction industries in Kuantan Pahang. Using proportionate stratified random
sampling, out of which 10 questionnaires were distributed for data analysis. Using
five point Likert scale categories from previous studies, statistical analysis affirmed a
significant positive relationship between time overruns and apartment building
among Kuantan Malaysian construction industries.
Malaysian construction firms have increasingly gained investment opportunities in foreign countries pushed by the competitive and saturated domestic market. However, the entry location decision involves complex factors to be considered by these firms prior to their international operations. Currently, based on a secondary data obtained from the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia, there are twelve (12) firms that are actively operating in international markets. The main objective of this preliminary study is to develop an entry location assessment criteria (ELAC) model based on the performance of Malaysian construction firms in international markets. The ELAC formula was derived through a development of taxonomy criteria from previous studies. The construction firms’ performance was analyzed and ranked using a weightage score characterized under three (3) dimensions of country with the taxonomy criteria. First dimension involves entry location decision to countries in ASEAN, Non-ASEAN and both regions, while the second dimension involves entry location decision to ASEAN, Asia, Africa, United States of America and Europe while the third dimension involves entry location decision to countries categorized as Developing Countries (DLC); Least Developed Country (LDC); Newly Industrialized Countries (NIC); Developed Countries (DC); and Highly Developed Countries (HDC). The ELAC score shows that three (3) construction firms which are, Sapura Energy Berhad (66%), Gamuda Berhad (53%) and Sime Darby Berhad (50%) have sustained international operations in various locations by obtaining an ELAC score of more than 50% by venturing to ASEAN countries, developing countries and developed countries. Even though his study is limited to Malaysian construction firms, it provides significant information and contributes to the current knowledge in international market expansion. This ELAC model is useful especially for construction firms that are just beginning to explore foreign business opportunities or for the global players that are expanding geographically to new international markets.
Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is widely used by the construction industry. Research to find the precise proportion of cement replacement material which can be used to produce a product called Ternary Blended Cement (TBC) is not new. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of POFA and SF as TBC on the heat of hydration and compressive strength of mortar. Before producing TBC, specimens using BBC is required. Mix design proportion for POFA and SF are 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%. Mix design proportion TBC are chose from the highest compressive strength value achieved at 7 days of curing. This research found the heat of hydration of TBC containing 20% POFA and 5% SF is high in the beginning to drop at the end of hydration process in addition to producing lower compressive strength.
Precast concrete technology forms an important part in the drive towards a full implementation of the Industrialized Building System (IBS). The IBS requires building components and their dimensions to be standardized, and preferably cast off site. Slabs are major structural elements in buildings, other than beams and columns. Standardized and optimized slabs can significantly enhance the building industries in achieving the full implementation of the IBS. Nevertheless, this requires computer techniques to achieve standardized and optimized slabs which can satisfy all building design requirements, including the standards of architectural and structural design standards. This study proposed a computer technique which analysed and designed five different types of slabs which will satisfy all the requirements in design. The most commonly used slabs included in this study were the solid one way, solid two way, ribbed, voided and composite slabs. The computer techniques enable the design of the most optimized sections for any of the slab types under any loading and span conditions. The computer technique also provides details for the reinforcements required for the slabs.
Diverting waste material from landfill sites has a big implication for the creation of new markets and has environmental benefits through offsetting the need for the extraction of raw materials. Besides, the major attention especially in construction industry is the problem to make natural resources sustainable for three to four decades in future. However, in this study finely glass powder with pozzolanic properties is found to be a partial replacement for cement and can acts as filler in the microstructure of a mortar block. Thus, a study was conducted to see the effects of various proportions of windscreen glass waste powder (WGWP) in determining the degree of water absorption on mortar incorporated with WGWP and to determine the optimum replacement to the ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with WGWP. Several compositions of WGWP (0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% by cement weight) of mortar cube sample were prepared and cured at 7, 28 and 60 days to undergo a water absorption test. From this research, it shows that the use of WGWP was found to be the best features pozzolanic enough to use as a partial replacement for cement and it can reduced the pores of mortar by blocking the large voids in the hydrated cement paste through pozzolanic reaction. In the term of water absorption, the lowest reading was achieved in 15% and it can be said that 15% replacement is the optimum replacement of OPC.
This study contributes to develop a hierarchical framework for assessing the strategic effectiveness of waste management in the construction industry. This study identifies a valid set of strategic effectiveness attributes of sustainable waste management (SWM) in construction. Prior studies have neglected to develop a strategic effectiveness assessment framework for SWM to identify reduce, reuse, and recycle policy initiatives that ensure waste minimization and resource recovery programs. This study utilizes the fuzzy Delphi method to screen out nonessential attributes in qualitative information. This study initially proposes a set of 75 criteria; after two rounds of assessment, consensus regarding 28 criteria is achieved among experts, and the 28 criteria are validated. Fuzzy interpretive structural modeling divides the attributes into various elements. The modeling constructs a six-level model that depicts the interrelationships among the 28 validated criteria as a hierarchical framework, and it finds and ranks the optimal drivers for practical improvement. This study integrates the best-worst method to measure the weights of different criteria in the hierarchical strategic effectiveness framework. The findings reveal that waste management operational strategy, construction site waste management performance, and the mutual coordination level are the top aspects for assessing strategic effectiveness in the hierarchical framework. In practice, the waste reduction rate, the recycling rate, water and land usage, the reuse rate, and noise and air pollution levels are identified to assist policymakers in evaluation. The theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
The benefits of using structural lightweight concrete in construction industry, particularly in high rise buildings, over normal weight concrete are numerous. The main method of producing structural lightweight concrete is the use of lightweight aggregates instead of ordinary aggregates in concrete. Due to the limited resources for natural and artificial lightweight aggregates, the alternative sources for lightweight aggregates should be discovered from industrial wastes. Oil palm shell (OPS) and oil-palm-boiler clinker (OPBC) are two solid wastes from palm oil industry and are available in abundance in tropical regimes. The use of just OPS as coarse lightweight aggregate in concrete mixture has some drawbacks for concrete. The aim of this study was to investigate engineering properties of a lightweight concrete containing both of these aggregates. For this purpose, in this study, 50% (by volume) of OPS was replaced with OPBC in an OPS lightweight concrete. The test results showed that when OPS was substituted with OPBC, significant improvement was observed in the compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strengths. In addition, initial and final water absorption as well as drying shrinkage strain of blended coarse lightweight aggregate concrete were significantly less than OPS concrete.
Timber scaffold boards have been widely utilised in the offshore construction industry. However, technical specifications
and inspection procedure for the application of scaffold boards from a wood material were inadequate. In the development
of the standard requirements, evaluation of actual engineering practices could indicate the level of workplace safety. A
study was conducted to identify risk and safety measures concerning the use of timber scaffold boards in construction.
This article discusses on the occupational risks and ergonomics issues of the scaffolding application based on the physical
and mechanical conditions of tropical timber scaffold boards extracted from offshore oil and gas rigs. The boards were
exposed to a seasonal climate of East Coast monsoon of South China Sea between November and February. The scaffolding
application extended up to 20 m directly above the ocean surface and some boards were completely immersed below
the ocean surface particularly during elevated tidal waves. Some of the boards were installed as the on-deck platforms.
Forty scaffold boards fabricated from tropical timber species were evaluated. Physical characteristics of the boards
were described by natural and man-made factors. A three-point bending test was conducted to determine the maximum
load capacity of each board and the mode of fracture was evaluated. Timber identification test was conducted to identify
the groups of the timber being used. The microscopic observation confirmed the presence of hyphae which indicated the
biological deterioration has happened in some of the boards. Occupational risks were summarised based on the results
of the physical and mechanical assessments
Construction industry is one of the major contributors towards Malaysian economy and socio-economy. It is an important
industry gearing Malaysia towards developed nation status. However, fatalities in this industry are a crucial problem. Number of
fatalities in this industry is the highest compare to other industries registered in Malaysia. The contributing factors can be separated
into immediate (human and worksite elements) and underlying (management and external). Occupational safety and health (OSH)
management is a challenge in the construction industry due to its hazardous nature. A framework of construction OSH management
consisting of policy, process, personnel and incentive elements were tested. 13 respondents from 13 residential projects comprising of
high-rise and low-rise in Pulau Pinang were interviewed. It was found that the immediate factors are being more recognized by the
respondents compare to the underlying factors. Human element is perceived as the most significant contributor, while the external
element is the least significant. In terms of construction OSH management, process and personnel elements are the most significant in
developing an effective OSH management programme.
Like many other parts of the globe, in Malaysia, construction industry has a vital support to
the national economy, even though statistics indicates that, at the same time, it is an extremely
risky profession due to high accident rate. In addition, current evidences suggest that, in
general, safety in Sarawak construction industries lack attention. As, human behavior is regarded
as the principal component that contributes to accidents in this industry, this study
intends to explore existing barriers in development and maintaining safety performance behavior
as well as possible coping strategies. A qualitative analysis of in-depth interview (N=4)
among different levels of professions within industries in Kuching, Sarawak reveals that,
price sensitive subcontracting, short-term projects, irregular cash flow, dependency on larger
companies, less managerial and supervisory engagement, and priority on progress alone create
obstacles for safety behavior. On the other hand, possibly, the challenges can be managed
through integration of safety into contracts as compliance, associated disbursement, and introducing
incentives.