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Health and safety improvement in construction projects: a lean construction approach

Abu Aisheh YI, Tayeh BA, Alaloul WS, Almalki A

Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2022 Dec;28(4):1981-1993.
PMID: 34126867 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2021.1942648

Objectives. Lean construction techniques have been considered an effective approach and strategy to reduce accidents in construction projects. This article aims to investigate the application of the lean construction principle and its impact on occupational health and safety. Methods. To achieve the aim, an analytical descriptive method was used. The data were collected through a questionnaire, with 70 respondents who were chosen using a random stratified sample method. The questionnaire evaluated the perception of contractors and consultants about the important lean construction factors and their impact on construction project safety. Results. There is an agreement that the application of lean construction techniques can be impeded by challenges like lack of lean construction knowledge, complexity, misconception about lean construction and difficulties in changing employees. Conclusions. The study identified strategies that could be used to address these challenges that will improve the safety of construction projects. These include enlightenment on benefits of the lean practice, publication of improvements realized from lean practice, training, workers' involvement and empowerment, persistence, robust planning and gradual implementation.

Matched MeSH terms: Accidents, Occupational/prevention & control
Fulltext Developing an Ensemble Predictive Safety Risk Assessment Model: Case of Malaysian Construction Projects

Sadeghi H, Mohandes SR, Hosseini MR, Banihashemi S, Mahdiyar A, Abdullah A

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020 11 13;17(22).
PMID: 33202768 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17228395

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)-related injuries are vexing problems for construction projects in developing countries, mostly due to poor managerial-, governmental-, and technical safety-related issues. Though some studies have been conducted on OHS-associated issues in developing countries, research on this topic remains scarce. A review of the literature shows that presenting a predictive assessment framework through machine learning techniques can add much to the field. As for Malaysia, despite the ongoing growth of the construction sector, there has not been any study focused on OHS assessment of workers involved in construction activities. To fill these gaps, an Ensemble Predictive Safety Risk Assessment Model (EPSRAM) is developed in this paper as an effective tool to assess the OHS risks related to workers on construction sites. The developed EPSRAM is based on the integration of neural networks with fuzzy inference systems. To show the effectiveness of the EPSRAM developed, it is applied to several Malaysian construction case projects. This paper contributes to the field in several ways, through: (1) identifying major potential safety risks, (2) determining crucial factors that affect the safety assessment for construction workers, (3) predicting the magnitude of identified safety risks accurately, and (4) predicting the evaluation strategies applicable to the identified risks. It is demonstrated how EPSRAM can provide safety professionals and inspectors concerned with well-being of workers with valuable information, leading to improving the working environment of construction crew members.

Matched MeSH terms: Accidents, Occupational/prevention & control
Preventive ophthalmology

Singh A

Med J Malaysia, 1977 Sep;32(1):45-7.
PMID: 609343
Matched MeSH terms: Accidents, Occupational/prevention & control
Accident patterns and prevention measures for occupational injuries in the Philippine food and beverage manufacturing industry

Prasetyo YT, Garcia MM, Dewi RS, Chuenyindee T, Kurata YB, Widia M

Work, 2022;73(4):1307-1324.
PMID: 36057804 DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210662

BACKGROUND: The manufacturing industry is one of the catalysts for the Philippines. However, this sector is one of the most dangerous industries in the Philippines considering the frequency of occupational injuries.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the primary and root causes of recorded accidents, demographics of the person involved, and solutions to prevent the recurrence of certain accidents.
METHODS: This study analyzed 185 occupational injury cases in a food and beverage manufacturing company in the Philippines from January to December 2018. A comprehensive classification system was established to examine and code each case in terms of age, gender, working shift, employee type, tenure, department, category, activity during the accident, root cause of injury, injury classification, direct cause of injury, type of injury, part of body injured, agent of injury, and location of the accident. Cramer's V analysis and Phi coefficient analyses were employed on the subject cases to determine the significant factors and the corresponding extent of significance.
RESULTS: The results showed that the majority of the occupational injuries were caused by stepping on, striking against, or stuck by objects (77 cases, 41.6%), caught in between (34 cases, 18.4%), fall (34 cases, 18.4%), and exposure or contact with extreme temperatures (24 cases, 13%). Interestingly, female workers who had accidents were more likely due to inadequate hazard information or lack of procedures whereas male workers were more likely due to failure to secure. The prevention measures such as passive safeguards and personal protective equipment, pictograms, and regular safety audits were derived from the results of these analyses.
CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first comprehensive analysis of occupational injuries in the food and beverage industry in the Philippines. The findings can be applied to positively influence the effectiveness of prevention and rehabilitation programs mitigating workplace injuries and illnesses.

Matched MeSH terms: Accidents, Occupational/prevention & control
An ergonomics study of a semiconductors factory in an IDC for improvement in occupational health and safety

Bin WS, Richardson S, Yeow PH

Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2010;16(3):345-56.
PMID: 20828490

The study aimed to conduct an ergonomic intervention on a conventional line (CL) in a semiconductor factory in Malaysia, an industrially developing country (IDC), to improve workers' occupational health and safety (OHS). Low-cost and simple (LCS) ergonomics methods were used (suitable for IDCs), e.g., subjective assessment, direct observation, use of archival data and assessment of noise. It was found that workers were facing noise irritation, neck and back pains and headache in the various processes in the CL. LCS ergonomic interventions to rectify the problems included installing noise insulating covers, providing earplugs, installing elevated platforms, slanting visual display terminals and installing extra exhaust fans. The interventions cost less than 3 000 USD but they significantly improved workers' OHS, which directly correlated with an improvement in working conditions and job satisfaction. The findings are useful in solving OHS problems in electronics industries in IDCs as they share similar manufacturing processes, problems and limitations.

Matched MeSH terms: Accidents, Occupational/prevention & control*
Laboratory accidents--a matter of attitude

Karim N, Choe CK

Malays J Pathol, 2000 Dec;22(2):85-9.
PMID: 16329540

This is a prospective study on accidents occurring in the Pathology laboratories of Hospital Ipoh over the 3-year period from January 1996 to October 1999. 15 mishaps were recorded. The location of the accidents were the histology (40%), microbiology (33%), haematology (20%) and cytology (7%) laboratories. No mishaps were reported from the clinical chemistry, blood bank and outpatient laboratories. Cuts by sharp objects were the most common injuries sustained (47%) followed by splashes and squirts by fluid such as blood or chemicals (27%). There was 1 case each of contact with biohazardous fluid, burn, allergy and accidental drinking of disinfectant. 67% of the accidents involved medical laboratory technicians, 20% involved attendants and the rest were medical officers and the junior laboratory technicians. Although the accidents reported appeared trivial, it is vital to document them and bring them to the attention of all concerned in the laboratory, in order to prevent major accidents and also because of medico-legal implications. The role of the Laboratory Safety Committee cannot be overemphasised. Modification of staff attitude is considered an important remedial goal.

Matched MeSH terms: Accidents, Occupational/prevention & control
Fulltext Developing a risk framework for assembly construction based on stakeholder theory and structural equation modelling

Junjia Y, Xiaoxiang Q, Alias AH, Haron NA, Abu Bakar N

PLoS One, 2024;19(5):e0301370.
PMID: 38709752 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301370

Occupational injuries in the construction industry have plagued many countries, and many cases have shown that accidents often occur because of a combination of project participants. Assembled construction (AC) projects have received extensive attention from Chinese scholars as a future trend, but few studies have explored the interrelationships and potential risks of various stakeholders in depth. This study fills this research gap by proposing a multi-stakeholder AC risk framework. The study surveyed 396 stakeholders, then analyzed the collected data and created a risk framework based on Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) and the CRITIC weighting method. The results revealed that factors like "regular supervision is a formality," "blindly approving the wrong safety measures," and "failure to organize effective safety education and training." are vital risks in AC of China. Finally, the study validates the risk factors and the framework with 180 real-life cases, which shows that the proposed framework is theoretically grounded and realistic. The study also suggests multi-level strategies such as introducing AI-based automated risk monitoring, improving the adaptability of normative provisions to technological advances, and advancing the culture of project communities of interest to ensure AC's safe practices.

Matched MeSH terms: Accidents, Occupational/prevention & control
Seat belt use in a developing country: covert noncompliance with a primary enforcement law in Malaysia

Hauswald M

Accid Anal Prev, 1997 Sep;29(5):695-7.
PMID: 9316717

Malaysia has strict laws requiring seat belt use by all vehicle occupants. However, neither passive devices nor inertial reel belts are mandated. Seat belt usage was investigated among 60 taxicab drivers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 1993. Although all drivers appeared to be restrained during an initial curb-side inspection, 60% did not fasten the latch. There was no statistical difference between ethnic groups. Curb-side estimates of restraint use may overestimate actual usage, resulting in falsely low estimates of effectiveness. Requiring inertial reel belts, which would retract if not latched, could greatly increase actual restraint use. This may be cost effective for developing nations.

Matched MeSH terms: Accidents, Occupational/prevention & control
Establishing mercury-free medical facilities: a Malaysian case study

Amir Sultan MM, Goh CT, Wan Puteh SE, Mokhtar M

Int J Health Care Qual Assur, 2019 Feb 11;32(1):34-44.
PMID: 30859864 DOI: 10.1108/IJHCQA-08-2017-0161

PURPOSE: Mercury is widely used in medical and healthcare facilities as dental amalgam, mercury-added medical devices, thiomersal-containing vaccines, laboratory analysis and for other general applications despite the hazards. Various agencies consistently promote mercury-free medical facilities through mercury-free alternatives and better management practices, which are in line with the Minamata Convention on Mercury that aims to protect human health and environment from anthropogenic mercury release. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The authors conducted a gap analysis on recommended practices gathered from the literature and current practices gathered through semi-structured interviews with Malaysian medical personnel. A life cycle approach was adopted covering mercury use: input, storage, handling, accident, waste disposal and governance phases.
FINDINGS: The authors found that there are significant gaps between recommended and current mercury management practices. Analysis indicates improper mercury management as the main contributor to these gaps. The authors found from recommended practices that core components needing improvement include: mercury management action plan, mercury use identification team, purchasing policy, proper guidelines and monitoring systems.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study helps us to understand mercury management practices and suggests essential steps to establish a mercury-free medical facility.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This study explored the gaps between recommended and current mercury management practices in a medical facility and contributes to the Minamata Convention on Mercury aspirations.

Matched MeSH terms: Accidents, Occupational/prevention & control*
Occupational health and safety issues in the informal economic segment of Pakistan: a survey of construction sites

Ahmed I, Shaukat MZ, Usman A, Nawaz MM, Nazir MS

Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2018 Jun;24(2):240-250.
PMID: 28795938 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2017.1366145

This research covers the current status of occupational health and safety (OHS)-related practices in the informal construction segment of Pakistan. Data were collected, through interviews, from 316 construction sites employing 3577 workers. The results of the study reveal that both employers and workers lack knowledge of OHS laws/standards and no practices of this nature are enacted at these construction sites. Alarmingly, work-related accidents, whenever they happen, are not given due attention and there is no formal injury-report system. The informal construction industry employs a huge portion of the informal workforce, and lack of OHS happens at tremendous human cost. These research findings may thus play their role in strengthening the case for reforms in the sector. This study, if properly utilized, may also enable employers of the sector by increasing their knowledge about OHS practices and, as a result, trying to offer safer environments for their workers.

Matched MeSH terms: Accidents, Occupational/prevention & control
Fulltext Training of occupational safety and health: knowledge among healthcare professionals in Malaysia

Lugah V, Ganesh B, Darus A, Retneswari M, Rosnawati MR, Sujatha D

Singapore Med J, 2010 Jul;51(7):586-92.
PMID: 20730400

Awareness of occupational safety and health (OSH) plays an important role in the prevention of occupational injuries and diseases. Following the enactment of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) in 1994, various programmes have been implemented by different agencies to increase awareness and knowledge of OSH in the workplace, including among healthcare workers. The objective of this study was to determine the level of OSH awareness and knowledge among healthcare professionals in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Accidents, Occupational/prevention & control
Increased work pace is unprofitable: a beef-cutting case study

Vogel K, Karltun J, Yeow PH, Eklund J

Meat Sci, 2015 Jul;105:81-8.
PMID: 25828161 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2015.03.009

The beef industry worldwide is showing a trend towards increased cutting pace aimed at higher profits. However, prior research in the duck meat industry suggested that a higher cutting pace reduced quality and yield, leading to losses. This study aimed to test this hypothesis by investigating the effects of varying beef-cutting paces on yield, quality and economy. A field experiment was conducted on six workers cutting beef fillet, sirloin and entrecôte. Three types of paces were sequentially tested: Baseline (i.e., status quo), 'Quantity focus' (i.e., pace required to maximise quantity) and 'Quality focus' (i.e., pace required to minimise errors). The results showed a significant drop in yield, increased rate of quality deficiency and economic losses with the change to 'Quantity focus' (from Baseline and 'Quality focus') for all meat types. Workers supported these results and also added health problems to the list. The results confirmed that an increased cutting pace is unprofitable.

Matched MeSH terms: Accidents, Occupational/prevention & control
Workplace injuries and risk reduction practices in Malaysia

Ali R, Shaharudin R, Omar A, Yusoff F

Int J Occup Environ Health, 2012 Oct-Dec;18(4):299-306.
PMID: 23433290 DOI: 10.1179/1077352512Z.00000000031

INTRODUCTION: This study on workplace injuries and risk reduction practices was part of the Malaysia National Health Morbidity Survey III (NHMS III) conducted in 2006.
METHODS: This cross-sectional population-based survey was conducted to determine the incidence of workplaces injuries and assess the magnitude of some important risk reduction practices among workers. Data were gathered through face-to-face household interviews using a pre-coded questionnaire.
RESULTS: Of the 22 880 eligible respondents, 88·2% (20 180) responded. The incidence rate for injuries at the workplace was 4·9 per 100 (95% CI: 4·6-5·2). The overall proportion of workers who had received occupational safety and health (OSH) training before or within 1 month of starting work was 33·6%. Among respondents who perceived that personal protective equipment (PPE) was required at their workplace, only 38·9% (95% CI: 37·8-39·4) were provided with it by their employers.
DISCUSSION: Further studies are urgently needed to identify reasons for and management of the low uptake of risk reduction practices. This issue needs to be addressed to ensure the safety and health of our working population.
Study name: National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-2006)

Matched MeSH terms: Accidents, Occupational/prevention & control*

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