Risk assessment of design components of building construction

Abstract

Lack of designer's knowledge of construction safety risks and HSE personnel's knowledge of structural designs and means and methods of construction have been highlighted as significant barriers to the implementation of design for construction safety. These barriers often result in poor collaboration among designers and HSE personnel in addressing safety issues that lead to accidents and frequent work stoppages. This study explored the ability of HSE officers, engineers and superintendents to recognize and assess risk associated with constructing structural components of a building (foundation, columns, walls, beams and roofs). The objective was to determine how consensus is risk perceived among the three groups of field personnel. The paper used a quantitative methodology that evaluates safety risks related to performing construction activities to supports designers to carry out construction designs using a risk assessment-based approach. The methodology compares cumulative risks of five designs and ranks the severity level of each design. The methodology also compares risk perception among HSE personnel, engineers and superintendent. Using this method of risk assessment will identify significant risks during design stage and highlight them in advance. Thus, a range of risk elimination or mitigation measures will be implemented before and during construction. The study was done with a survey questionnaire, and 40 construction field personnel (12 HSE, 14 superintendents and 12 engineers) were asked to evaluate risk's level of severity and time of exposure for each activity. Data collected were analysed with SPSS Statistics using descriptive statistics, general linear models (Multivariate) and Bivariate correlations (Pearson and Spearman). The results of the analysis showed that roof construction was perceived to have the highest risk followed by beam, foundation, wall and column. The differences in risk perceptions among the respondents were found to be non-significant statistically.