Role of the Regulation Framework in Occupational Safety in Construction Excavation Works—A Survey Analysis in Turkey

Abstract

The construction sector is known to have the highest risks of occupational accidents. A rationale for this high occurrence of occupational risks can be related to legislative requirements to enforce safe construction practices within this sector. Within the context of excavation works in Turkey, this study investigates the leading risks for any compliance shortfalls and ultimately presents recommendations to mitigate occupational accidents’ occurrences during excavation works in the construction sector. Based on a quantitative methodology, a closed-ended survey consisting of 35 questions and based on legislative requirements was applied to project managers in the construction industry, such as site supervisors, occupational safety experts, auditors, and control personnel. A sample size of 277 responses was found to have stability and validity through a reliability analysis and an exploratory factor analysis, and was used for testing statistical significance via cross-tabulation analysis and chi-square tests. The findings revealed that the major deviation of safety in excavation works from legislative requirements is executing works during adverse weather conditions. Moreover, it was also noteworthy that protective curtains did not surround the excavation sites, and most of the employees encountered ground slippage during excavation work. Therefore, the findings revealed preliminary research that will contribute positively to providing incentives for a focus on and development of relevant security and technical measures. It also provided information to protect the safety and welfare of the workers involved in excavation works. Finally, though these findings may be considered context-specific, this research can be used for comparative purposes for similar studies into the safety practices of excavation works in different countries, where generalized findings can be later derived to inform academia and practice.