No abstract

Construction continues to be considered as one of the most dangerous industries in the world, in particular residential building construction. This paper aims at proposing an automated safety planning plug-in (ASPP) for project scheduling software applications to mitigate the occurrence of construction accidents. To achieve this aim, frequency and severity of the common construction safety hazards in residential buildings were investigated by distributing a questionnaire among various safety managers and construction managers in Malaysia. A total of 106 completed responses were received. The risk level associated to each hazard was calculated based on the relevant risk matrix. The ASPP extracts current construction activities from any computer-based schedule (Microsoft Project Ò in this paper) and identifies their risk levels as well as safety regulations and hazards related to each activity as a report. The reliability and usability of ASPP was tested in a case study. The ASPP was found to be efficient and helpful for rigorously complying with safety regulations and control potential hazards. The practical implication of this study is to improve construction safety by promoting the project managers' awareness of safety hazards and relevant risks as well as essential safety measures provided through a comprehensive report from which managers can review essential safety measures to prevent possible construction accidents.

Construction hazard identification is one of the fundamental steps in construction safety management therefore identifying hazards and determining their severities of consequences are extremely important. The aim of this study is to investigate and rank the construction hazards in order of the severity of consequences. The data for this study were collected using a questionnaire survey, distributed among respondents randomly selected from construction sites within Malaysia. The results of this study indicated that the most critical construction hazards are Awkward postures, Forceful exertions and Physical injury hazards which originate from process of work and manual handling of operations and equipments. On the contrary Blue green algae and Fungi are the least critical construction hazards which are not critical threats to the safety and health of construction workers. In addition to training and educational purposes, the results of this study can be used in preparing appropriate construction safety and health plans.

Construction as a complex industry challenges the protection of safety and health of workers who are exposed to many risk factors in construction sites. Exposure to these risk factors may develop Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). The study is aimed at prioritizing Ergonomic Risk Factors (ERFs) in order of risk. To achieve the aim of this study, a questionnaire survey was distributed among respondents randomly selected from construction sites in Malaysia. The results of this study indicated that the most critical ERFs are Extreme hot temperature, Leaning forward/side, twisting the back and Organizational factors, while the least critical ERFs are Kneeling positions on hard surfaces, Holding tools with longitudinal ridges on handles tightly and Using hands or knees as a hammer. Identification of ERFs and their risk levels are the results of this study. Successful safety performance and management necessitate the investigation of ERFs and hazards regarding risk levels.

dentifying the root causes of construction accidents has indicated that not only contractors but designers and architectures are capable of influencing construction workers safety. The aim of this study is to investigate and prioritize factors affecting construction hazards in the design phase. To achieve the aim of this study, a questionnaire survey was distributed among respondents randomly selected from construction sites within Malaysia. Relative Importance Index method was used to prioritize factors in order of level of effect on construction hazards. The results indicated that Lack of designers safety knowledge, Lack of designers knowledge about construction processes and Late involvement of constructors in the design process have the highest level of effect while Lack of safety organizations which evaluates the safety level of design and Few application of components' prefabrication have the lowest level of effect on hazards in the design phase of construction projects.