Why Subcontractor Operatives Engage in Unsafe Work Behavior

摘要

This paper discusses empirical research aimed at why construction workers engage in unsafe behavior. Interviews were conducted in Hong Kong with operatives who had been an accident victim. Both Chinese and non-Chinese operatives recorded their safety experiences when working on construction sites. Participants' information such as age and experience and work environment was documented. Seven individual accident and resulting injuries as reported by the injured operatives are described. Work-in-progress is briefly reported in an attempt to acquire and disseminate knowledge as to why subcontractors' operatives performed work in an unsafe behavior at construction sites. In-depth semi-structured interviews yielded a rich data base allowing a grounded theory approach to be adopted to identify emerging themes during data analysis. The findings provide that workers involve in unsafe behaviors because of lacking in safety awareness, to exhibit their self-esteem, work pressure, co-workers' attitudes, and other organizational, economic and psychological factors. The results substantiate the significance of the role of management, safety procedures, psychological and economic issues, self-esteem, experience, performance pressure, job security, education and training as well as work relationships and language barriers. The influences of these factors on the safety behavior of workers are discussed along with implications of the research for management of the construction industry.