A Framework for Systematic Assessment of Human Error in Construction Sites – A Sustainable Approach

Abstract

The construction industry is one of the most accident-susceptible sectors of the national economy and is characterized by a high rate of accidentality. The Human Error Assessment and Reduction Technique (HEART) is a generic method to identify human error. This technique uses generic task types and error producing conditions to calculate the probable human error. It is known that unsafe acts in the activity will also lead to unplanned events. Therefore, in this research, in addition to the existing factors, the probability of unsafe acts is also integrated. From the results, it is known that excavation (0.957), reinforcement erection for footing & column (0.631) and crane operation (0.269) are the tasks with a higher probability of human error. This can be minimized by frequent safety trainings to the workers and providing suitable personnel protective equipment (PPE) by the management. This proposed method may be applicable for all the workplaces, as it has a generic method to quantify human error with the task and error producing conditions. Knowledge of the circumstances of accidents will enable the formulation or modification of the labour law to be properly formulated, as well as the appropriate orientation of preventive measures and trainings in the field of occupational safety. All participants in the investment process: workers, construction site managers and supervisors, should be the recipients of these activities, who are also exposed to hazards and may suffer from accidents while performing their activities at a construction site. Parameters and the probable human error described by the authors allow for a comprehensive assessment of hazards and the probability of accident occurrences.