Role of Human Factors in Fall from Height Fatalities in the UK Construction Industry

Conference paper


Olatoye, O., Arewa, A. O. and Tann, D. 2024. Role of Human Factors in Fall from Height Fatalities in the UK Construction Industry. AHFE 2024: 15th International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics and the Affiliated Conferences. Nice, France 22 - 26 Jul 2024 AHFE International. https://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1005310
AuthorsOlatoye, O., Arewa, A. O. and Tann, D.
TypeConference paper
Abstract

Globally, fall from heights remains incessant in the construction industry with recent statistics revealing that about 65% of fatalities are directly linked to fall from height in the UK construction industry. Moreover, the problem is exacerbated by the persistent and reoccurring nature of falls from height in the construction industry. Yet, research about the contemporary roles of human factors vis-à-vis falls from height across high-risk industries is scarce.

Aim:
The study aims to provide a robust analysis regarding the role of human factors in fatalities caused by falls from height in the UK construction industry. Research question: What is the relationship between human factors and persistent falls from height incidents in the construction industry?

Method:
Mixed research methods (Qual-Quan) concept and phenomenological research strategy were adopted for a better understanding of the research variables. The study relied on HSE archived data and data obtained through a response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request sent to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) UK for 10 years data on fall accidents in the UK construction industry. Also, a semi-structured interview was conducted with professionals in high-risk industries for better insight into the study.

Result:
The initial findings of the research show a range of human contributory factors such as workers fatigue, mental slips, hastiness, organisational pressures, etc are responsible for persistent falls among workers.

Conclusion:
The study findings reveal that 75% of falls from height cases in the UK construction industry are caused by human factors and it further underscores the significant role human factors play in falls from height incidents. Other findings from the study suggest that the use of bespoke and modernised airbag PPE by construction workers has the potential to significantly mitigate the effects of falls from height. The study is part of an ongoing PhD research that seeks to develop a conceptual framework aimed at managing dysfunctional safety practices among workers in the UK’s high-risk industries.

KeywordsConstruction; Fall From Height; Human Factors; Fatalities
Year2024
ConferenceAHFE 2024: 15th International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics and the Affiliated Conferences
PublisherAHFE International
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Anyone
Publication dates
Online01 Jul 2024
Publication process dates
Accepted06 Jun 2024
Deposited03 Jul 2024
Journal citation151, pp. 136-146
ISSN2771-0718
Book titleSafety Management and Human Factors: Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics and the Affiliated Conferences, Nice, France, 24-27 July 2024
Book editorArezes, P.
Garcia, A.
ISBN9781964867274
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1005310
Web address (URL) of conference proceedingshttps://openaccess.cms-conferences.org/publications/book/978-1-964867-27-4
Copyright holder© 2024, The Authors
Permalink -

https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/8xz1z

Download files


Publisher's version
978-1-964867-27-4_14.pdf
License: CC BY 4.0
File access level: Anyone

  • 94
    total views
  • 94
    total downloads
  • 3
    views this month
  • 1
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Exploring nuanced approach to criminalization of late payers in the construction sector
Arewa, A., Olybodun, F. and Swai, L. P. 2023. Exploring nuanced approach to criminalization of late payers in the construction sector. International Journal of Construction Management. 24 (10), pp. 1136-1144. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2022.2163107
Theories of Costs of Health and Safety Compliance and Non-Compliance with Regulations
Olatoye, O. G., Tann, D., Arewa, A. O. and Olubodun, F. 2023. Theories of Costs of Health and Safety Compliance and Non-Compliance with Regulations. 2023 CIB W099 & W123 Annual International Conference: Digital Transformation of Health and Safety in Construction. Porto, Portugal 21 Jun - 22 Jul 2023 Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto. https://doi.org/10.24840/978-972-752-309-2
Fire Safety in High-Rise Buildings: Is the Stay-Put Tactic a Misjudgement or Magnificent Strategy?
Arewa, A., Ahmed, A., Edwards, D. J. and Nwankwo, C. 2021. Fire Safety in High-Rise Buildings: Is the Stay-Put Tactic a Misjudgement or Magnificent Strategy? Buildings. 11 (Art. 339). https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11080339
Integrated Performance Optimization of Higher Education Buildings Using Low-Energy Renovation Process and User Engagement
Ahmed, A., Mateo-Garcia, M., Arewa, A. and Caratella, K. 2021. Integrated Performance Optimization of Higher Education Buildings Using Low-Energy Renovation Process and User Engagement. Energies. 14 (5), p. 1475. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14051475
Analysis of accidents caused by human factors in the oil and gas industry using the HFACS-OGI framework
Nwankwo, C. D., Arewa, A., Theophilus, S. C. and Esenowo, V. N. 2021. Analysis of accidents caused by human factors in the oil and gas industry using the HFACS-OGI framework. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics. 28 (3), pp. 1642-1654. https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2021.1916238
Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Excess Summer Mortality in the UK
Abdi A. M., Arewa, A., Tyrer M. and Ugulu R. A. 2020. Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Excess Summer Mortality in the UK. International Conference on Civil Infrastructure and Construction (CIC2020). Doha, Qatar 02 - 05 Feb 2020 Qatar University Press. https://doi.org/10.29117/cic.2020.0017
Preventive Approach to Unsubstantiated Claims and Disputes in the UK Construction Industry
Nosheen, A., Arewa, A. O. and Akhtar, H. M. 2020. Preventive Approach to Unsubstantiated Claims and Disputes in the UK Construction Industry. International Conference on Civil Infrastructure and Construction (CIC2020). Doha, Qatar 02 - 05 Feb 2020 Qatar University Press. https://doi.org/10.29117/cic.2020.0014
Unfair Payment Issues in Construction: Re-thinking Alternative Payment Method for Tier-1 Contractors to Subcontractors
Swai, L., Arewa, A. and Ugulu, R. A. 2020. Unfair Payment Issues in Construction: Re-thinking Alternative Payment Method for Tier-1 Contractors to Subcontractors. International Conference on Civil Infrastructure and Construction (CIC2020). Doha, Qatar 02 - 05 Feb 2020 Qatar University Press. https://doi.org/10.29117/cic.2020.0012
Project Specific Constraints Influencing Productivity of Tradespeople in the Nigerian Construction Industry
Ugulu, R. A., Arewa, A. and Allen, S. 2020. Project Specific Constraints Influencing Productivity of Tradespeople in the Nigerian Construction Industry. Built Environment Project and Asset Management. 10 (1), pp. 94-109. https://doi.org/10.1108/BEPAM-10-2018-0124
Effects of emerging technologies in minimising variations in construction projects in the UK
Noruwa, B. I., Arewa, A. and Merschbrock, C. 2020. Effects of emerging technologies in minimising variations in construction projects in the UK. International Journal of Construction Management. 22 (11), pp. 2199-2206. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2020.1772530
A comparative analysis of process safety management (PSM) systems in the process industry
Nwankwo, C., Theophilus, S. C. and Arewa, A. 2020. A comparative analysis of process safety management (PSM) systems in the process industry. Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries. 66 (Art. 104171). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlp.2020.104171
Relationship between labour productivity and curved wall construction in high-rise building projects
Ugulu, R., Arewa, A. and Stephen, A. 2019. Relationship between labour productivity and curved wall construction in high-rise building projects. ARCOM 2019: Association of Researchers in Construction Management 35th Annual Conference. Leeds, United Kingdom 02 - 04 Sep 2019 Association of Researchers in Construction Management.
The Role of Emotional Intelligence Factors in Workers’ Occupational Health and Safety Performance — A Case Study of the Petroleum Industry
Ifelebuegu, A. O., Martins, O. A., Theophilus, S. C. and Arewa, A. 2019. The Role of Emotional Intelligence Factors in Workers’ Occupational Health and Safety Performance — A Case Study of the Petroleum Industry. Safety. 5 (Art. 30). https://doi.org/10.3390/safety5020030
Institutional Foundations of Construction ICT: A View from the West Midlands of England
Noruwa, B., Merschbrock, C., Arewa, A. O. and Agyekum-Mensah, G. 2018. Institutional Foundations of Construction ICT: A View from the West Midlands of England. ARCOM 2018: 34th Association of Researchers in Construction Management Annual Conference. Belfast, Northern Ireland 03 - 05 Sep 2018 Association of Researchers in Construction Management.
Potentiality of Emerging Technologies to Minimise Late-Payments Quandary in Construction
Swai, L. L. P. and Arewa, A. O. 2018. Potentiality of Emerging Technologies to Minimise Late-Payments Quandary in Construction. ARCOM 2018: 34th Association of Researchers in Construction Management Annual Conference. Belfast, Northern Ireland 03 - 05 Sep 2018 Association of Researchers in Construction Management.
The application of Bayesian – Layer of Protection Analysis method for risk assessment of critical subsea gas compression systems
Arewa, A., Ifelebuegu, A. O., Awotu-Ukiri, E. O., Theophilus, S. C. and Bassey, E. 2018. The application of Bayesian – Layer of Protection Analysis method for risk assessment of critical subsea gas compression systems. Process Safety and Environmental Protection. 113 (2), pp. 305-318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2017.10.019
Analysis of Penalties Imposed on Organisations for Breaching Safety and Health Regulations in the UK
Arewa, A. O., Theophilus, S., Ifelebuegu, A. and Farrell, P. 2018. Analysis of Penalties Imposed on Organisations for Breaching Safety and Health Regulations in the UK. Safety and Health at Work. 9 (4), pp. 388-397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2018.01.004
A Technique for the Retrospective and Predictive Analysis of Cognitive Errors for the Oil and Gas Industry (TRACEr-OGI)
Theophilus, S. C., Ekpenyong, I. E., Ifelebuegu, A. O., Arewa, A., Agyekum-Mensah, G. and Ajare, T. O. 2017. A Technique for the Retrospective and Predictive Analysis of Cognitive Errors for the Oil and Gas Industry (TRACEr-OGI). Safety. 3 (4), pp. 1-22. https://doi.org/10.3390/safety3040023
Human factors analysis and classification system for the oil and gas industry (HFACS-OGI)
Theophilus, S., Esenowo, V., Arewa, A., Ifelebuegu, A., Nnadi, E. O. and Mbanaso, F. 2017. Human factors analysis and classification system for the oil and gas industry (HFACS-OGI). Reliability Engineering and System Safety . 167, pp. 168-176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ress.2017.05.036
The Culture of Construction Organisations: the Epitome of Institutionalised Corruption
Arewa, A. and Farrell, P. 2015. The Culture of Construction Organisations: the Epitome of Institutionalised Corruption. Construction Economics and Building. 15 (3), pp. 59-71. https://doi.org/10.5130/AJCEB.v15i3.4619
A review of construction SME safety performance; where are we and why?
Arewa, A. and Farrell, O. 2013. A review of construction SME safety performance; where are we and why? IPGRC 2013: International Post Graduate Research Conference . Salford, United Kingdom 08 - 10 Apr 2013 School of the Built Environment, University of Salford.
A review of compliance with health and safety and safety regulations and economic performance in small and medium construction enterprises
Arewa, A. O. and Farrell, P. 2012. A review of compliance with health and safety and safety regulations and economic performance in small and medium construction enterprises. ARCOM 2012: 28th Annual Association of Researchers in Construction Conference. Leeds, UK 03 - 05 Sep 2012 Association of Researchers in Construction Management.
An appraisal of health and safety costing and culture in construction
Arewa, A. 2011. An appraisal of health and safety costing and culture in construction. IPGRC 2011: International Post Graduate Research Conference. Salford, United Kingdom 14 - 15 Sep 2011 School of the Built Environment, University of Salford.
The Private Finance Initiative: Why value for money remains elusive
Arewa, A. and Farrell, P. 2011. The Private Finance Initiative: Why value for money remains elusive. Public Private Partnerships: CIB TG72/ARCOM 2011 Doctoral Research Workshop. University of Central Lancashire, United Kingdom 12 - 12 Oct 2011 School of Built and Natural Environment, University of Central Lancashire.