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Purpose: In the study, a five-dimensional-safety risk assessment model (5D-SRAM) is developed to improve the construction safety risk assessment approaches available in the literature. To that purpose, a hybrid multi-dimensional fuzzy-based model is proposed, which provides a comprehensive ranking system for the safety risks existing in a project by considering the contextualization of the construction-related activities resulting in an accident. Design/methodology/approach: The developed 5D-SRAM is based on an amalgamation of different fuzzy-based techniques. Through the proposed fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method, the importance weights of essential risk dimensions playing role in defining the magnitude of the construction-related risks are obtained, while a precise prioritized ranking system for the identified safety risks is acquired using the proposed fuzzy technique of order preference similarity to the ideal solution (FTOPSIS). Findings: Through the application of the proposed 5D-SRAM to a real-life case study – which is the case of green building construction projects located in Hong Kong – contributions are realized as follows: (1) determination of a more complete range of risk dimensions, (2) calculation of importance weightings for each risk dimension and (3) obtainment of a precise and inclusive ranking system for safety risks. Additionally, the supremacy of the developed 5D-SRAM against the other safety assessment approaches that are commonly adopted in the construction industry is proved. Research limitations/implications: The developed 5D-SRAM provides the concerned safety decision-makers with not only all the crucial dimensions that play roles toward the magnitude of safety risks posing threats to the workers involved in construction activities, but also they are given hindsight regarding the importance weights of these dimensions. Additionally, the concerned parties are embellished with the final ranking of safety risks in a more comprehensive way than those of existing assessment methods, leading to sagacious adoption of future prudent strategies for dealing with such risks occurring on construction sites. Originality/value: Numerous studies have documented the safety risks faced by construction workers including proposals for risk assessment models. However, the dimensions considered by such models are limited, generally constrained to risk event probability combined with risk impact severity. Overlooking other dimensions that are essential towards the calculation of safety risks' magnitude culminates in overshadowing the further adoption of fruitful mitigative actions. To overcome this shortcoming, this study proposes a novel 5D-SRAM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to cultural differences, ethnic minority construction workers are more difficult to manage and more vulnerable to accidents. This study aims to identify the major barriers faced by ethnic minority workers from their own perspectives and to determine potential strategies to enhance the safety climate of construction projects, thus ultimately improving their safety performance. A survey with the modified nordic safety climate questionnaire was conducted for a certain subcontractor in Hong Kong. In-depth interviews, status quo description, major challenge investigation and safety knowledge tests were also carried out. The top three most important safety challenges identified were improper stereotypes from the whole industry, lack of opportunities for job assignment and language barriers. To improve the safety performance, employers should allocate sufficient personal protective equipment and governments should organize unannounced site visits more frequently. Also, the higher-level management should avoid giving contradictory instructions to foremen against the standards of supervisors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effects of user factors and sign referent characteristics in participatory construction safety sign redesign. A group of Hong Kong Chinese construction workers were requested to draw different safety sign referents and then to narrate their drawings and redesign ideas. The more concrete the sign referents (i.e. referents that represent an actual substance or thing), the higher the success at producing pictorials and the greater the commonality between redesign suggestions for the referents. Construction workers with lower education level perceived the referents as less concrete than those with higher education level; and those with higher spatial imagery preference (i.e. the preference for using imagery to represent spatial relations among objects schematically and to perform complex spatial transformations) were better at processing unfamiliar and abstract referents. However, construction workers were not aware of and did not understand the intended meanings of particular surround shapes and colors commonly used in safety sign systems. These findings are useful in facilitating the process and practice of participatory safety sign redesign with workers in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Fall of person with skull injury is dominating the cause of death in construction industry. [•] Past accidents have proven that rolling off of helmet can be fatal. [•] The research is to figure out the current usage, safety performance of using chin strap at helmet. [•] Helmet will be rolled off such as heading up/down, in windy condition and with slight impact. [•] The most significant findings: inadequate cognition for workers without wearing chin strap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The prevention of fall from height accidents has long been a popular topic in the field of construction safety. Previous research has indicated one of the potential hazards was induced by the use of steel bracket as scaffold support. While researchers are focusing to improve the existing scaffolding system, this research introduces a newly developed device to minimize fall accidents. The working platform, namely Rapid Demountable Platform (RDP) can be applied across window frames without fixing anchor bolts. Emphasizing on the rapid installation/dismantling, the RDP provides another safer option for working at height. The development of the RDP has incorporated modular concept and aesthetic factor into the design, achieving a more user-friendly platform. Although the RDP is not intended to totally replace the traditional bamboo truss-out scaffold, it is designed to act as an alternative or a supplement to the existing bamboo truss-out scaffold. The RDP is the first of this kind to minimize fall from height accidents especially in cities similar to Hong Kong where external working at height is frequently encountered. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

For many decades the construction accident rates are high in many places. Previous research study shows that many of these victims, who ultimately ended up with legal proceedings in Hong Kong were generation Y, i.e. people who were born between 1982 and 1995. These generations are also well known as www generations who are well-equipped with internet knowledge and frequent users of the internet. The popularity of other mobile devices such as iPhone and iPad also increases the Web 2.0 participants. Whilst traditional web users can only access the internet at home or in office via the heavy computer or notebook, generation Y can access the internet easily via mobile devices while they are travelling or waiting for their dinner. As previous research on construction safety mainly focused on the causes of construction accidents and compensation, few have studied the safety knowledge sharing by this particular generation. This paper reviews the construction accident statistics in Hong Kong and studies the motivation of Generation Y in sharing construction safety knowledge based on Prisoner's Dilemma. All in all, the study provides useful information to safety course providers and construction safety team in designing relevant courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study unveils causes of accidents in repair, maintenance, alteration and addition (RMAA) work. RMAA work is playing an increasingly important role in developed societies, including Hong Kong. Safety problems associated with RMAA work in Hong Kong has reached an alarming level. In view of rapid expansion of the RMAA sector and rising proportion of accidents in the construction industry, there is a pressing need to investigate causes of RMAA accidents. Structured interviews were conducted with RMAA contractors to explore causes of accidents in the RMAA sector. A two-round Delphi method with 13 safety experts was subsequently employed to verify the interview findings and rank the relative degree of importance for various causes of accidents. Accidents happen in RMAA work due to intersection of reasons. One of the root causes of accidents in RMAA works is low safety awareness of RMAA workers; however, wider organizational and industrial factors are not negligible. This study sheds light on why accidents happen in the RMAA sector. Only when the factors leading to accidents are identified can effective measures be made. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Constructions accidents have led to many workers in Hong Kong seriously injure or even die every year. Huge sum of money has been spent on compensation by contractors. Lack of safety knowledge is one of the causes behind these accidents. While information technology has become part of the indispensible lives among youngsters and teenagers, it is foreseeable that construction workforce on site in the coming decade will meet certain level of computer skills and knowledge. With the help of information technology, geographical boundary in knowledge sharing among safety officers or relevant stakeholders from all over the world is removed. Faster knowledge sharing is also expected. Knowledge sharing among construction workforce in Hong Kong is still restricted in traditional face-to-face interaction. Use of information technology in construction companies is still piecemeal and limited on daily work communication. This paper aims to study the possible motivation in sharing construction safety knowledge inter and intra construction organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Construction Worker Risk-Taking Behavior (CoWoRTB) model is developed. • Significant personal and organizational factors influencing the risk-taking behavior of construction workers are identified. • Mediating role of personal factors of construction workers is examined. • Recommendations for reducing the risk-taking behavior of construction workers are provided. The Hong Kong construction industry is notorious for the high number of accidents and fatalities. Risk-taking is one kind of unsafe behavior that can result in accidents and injuries. The study reported here concerns a Construction Worker Risk-Taking Behavior (CoWoRTB) model and an attempt to gain an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms by which personal and organizational factors influence the risk-taking behavior of construction workers. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 536 construction workers employed on Hong Kong government construction projects. Using the data collected, the proposed model was analyzed using structural equation modeling. It was found that the personal factors: outcome expectancy, risk perception – worry and unsafe, and attitude toward risk-taking behavior, significantly influenced risk-taking behavior. The organizational factors that had a significant effect on risk-taking behavior were safety promotion policy, and safety training. Also, the significant indirect effect of safety promotion policy on risk-taking behavior was mediated by outcome expectancy, and significant indirect effects of safety training on risk-taking behavior were mediated by attitude toward risk-taking behavior, and risk perception – worry and unsafe. These findings may be used to develop effective safety policies, interventions and strategies for reducing the risk-taking behavior of construction workers. Some practical recommendations for improving construction safety are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]