An analysis of the expected net benefit of adopting Proactive Behavior Based Safety in the construction industry
Authors
Henriksen, Mads Høgh ; Lüdtke, Friedrich Charles Eduard
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2021
Submitted on
2021-01-07
Pages
104
Abstract
Construction employs many people worldwide and is a major driver of economic development. In Hong Kong, rapid growth has built an extensive transport network and modern urban infrastructure. At the same time, the frequent occurrence of injuries and fatalities in construction—both in Hong Kong and globally—shows that workers face many hazards. This thesis examines the construction industries of Hong Kong and Romania to identify hazards, risks, and challenges in occupational health and safety (OHS) management. Accidents result from unsafe conditions and, more often, unsafe acts (risky behaviors). The thesis focuses on reducing unsafe acts, because doing so can lower the number of near misses and actual accidents. In the risk management section, two approaches are introduced: Behavior-Based Safety (BBS), which uses observation and feedback to encourage safer behavior, and Proactive Behavior-Based Safety (PBBS), a newer method that helps workers detect hazards and dangerous zones in advance through proactive warning signals. International studies suggest BBS can improve safety, but the changing, mobile, and complex nature of construction sites can make long-term gains hard to sustain. PBBS appears promising for large enterprises in Hong Kong, particularly to reduce risks from working at heights and moving objects. However, due to its costs, PBBS is likely less suitable for small and medium-sized companies in Romania.
Bygge- og anlægssektoren beskæftiger mange mennesker globalt og bidrager væsentligt til økonomisk udvikling. I Hongkong har den hurtige vækst skabt et omfattende transportnet og en moderne byinfrastruktur. Samtidig viser den hyppige forekomst af arbejdsulykker og dødsfald i byggeriet – i Hongkong og internationalt – at medarbejdere er udsat for mange farer. Dette speciale analyserer byggebranchen i Hongkong og Rumænien for at identificere farer, risici og udfordringer i arbejdsmiljø- og sikkerhedsledelse. Ulykker skyldes både usikre forhold og, oftere, usikre handlinger (risikofyldt adfærd). Specialet fokuserer på at reducere usikre handlinger, fordi færre af dem kan sænke antallet af nærved-ulykker og faktiske ulykker. I risikostyringsdelen introduceres to tilgange: Behavior Based Safety (BBS), en adfærdsbaseret sikkerhedstilgang, der bruger observation og feedback til at fremme sikker adfærd, og Proactive Behavior Based Safety (PBBS), en nyere metode, der hjælper medarbejdere med at opdage farer og risikozoner på forhånd via proaktive advarselssignaler. Internationale studier peger på, at BBS kan forbedre sikkerheden, men byggepladsers skiftende, mobile og komplekse natur kan gøre det svært at opnå langvarige gevinster. PBBS fremstår som lovende for store virksomheder i Hongkongs byggebranche, især til at reducere risici ved arbejde i højden og fra bevægelige genstande. På grund af omkostningerne er PBBS sandsynligvis mindre egnet til små og mellemstore rumænske virksomheder.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]