Understanding risk perception of construction workers - an exploratory study in Portuguese sites: Understanding risk perception of construction workers - an exploratory study in Portuguese sites
Synopsis
Risk perception (RP) is a fundamental factor in safety management within the construction industry, a sector characterized by high accident rates. Objectives: To analyze RP using the psychometric paradigm and to identify influencing factors in a sample of construction workers in Portugal. Methods: A cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted with a convenience sample of workers from five Portuguese construction sites (n = 51), using a questionnaire-based survey. Results: Workers’ overall risk perception was moderate (G: 6.3 ± 2.5, on a 1–10 scale). The main determinants of G were perceived severity of consequences (A5), individual vulnerability/probability (A4), fear of harm (A3), and catastrophic potential (A8). No statistically significant differences in G were found by sex, age, educational level, years in the profession, or job role. Correlations between G and accident experience or training hours were not significant (p-value > 0.05). Workers identified falling/striking objects and falling from height as the most relevant risks, and formwork/formwork removal and shoring, as well as scaffold assembly/disassembly, as the highest-risk activities. Conclusions: Recommendations are presented to improve these workers’ perceptions of risk.
