Risk Assessment of Falling from Height in the Construction Industry in the Northern Region of Peninsular Malaysia Using Structural Equation Modelling

Abstract

Falls, including falls from height and the same level, have among the highest occurrence rate in the construction industry. They are also the highest contributor to fatalities in the construction industry. The objective of this research is to determine the factors that contribute to a falling hazard. This research was conducted by distributing a survey questionnaire among OSH regulators in the northern region of Malaysia. A total of 130 respondents from enforcement bodies were involved in the study. From the factors contributing to occupational accidents and illnesses in general, worksite conditions (3.92), worksite arrangements (4.08) and resource management (4.07) were perceived as the most significant variables by the respondents. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) analysis was applied to validate the relationship between the observed and latent variables in testing the hypothesis. Falls from height (R2 = 0.214; T = 5.600; p = 0.000) and falls at the same level (R2 = 0.150; T = 5.061; p = 0.000) had the most significant relationship with worksite, management and external elements.