Analysis of Events and Exposures Leading to Construction Injuries in Developing Countries: The Case of Lebanon

Abstract

There is unanimous agreement that the complex and dynamic nature of construction jobsites is coupled with inherent risks. Global occupational and health agencies revealed that the construction industry leads with the number of fatal injuries incurred every year. Lebanon, a developing country in the Middle East, is no exception. Studies on construction safety in the country showed that the industry has failed to implement safety regulations, while also witnessing a lack of safety incentives, training, and education. The situation worsens with the absence of a national experience multiplier that could reflect on contractors’ safety statuses and hold them accountable for their safety performance. This study addresses the problem by proposing a cost model that evaluates construction injuries. An analysis was performed on more than 3,000 accident claims collected from insurance companies to understand the events and exposures that construction labour face. Results showed that there are 17 different types of events and exposures which can be grouped into three clusters depending on their frequency and average cost. This paper presents and expands on the three clusters and identifies the events that fall under each of them. The findings will serve as the base of the cost model in a future study.