Analyzing the Unsafe Behaviors of Frontline Construction Workers Based on Structural Equation Modeling

Abstract

The unsafe behavior of frontline workers at construction sites is the most important cause of construction accidents. This study proposed a comprehensive model of frontline workers’ unsafe behaviors based on a systems perspective and used structural equation modeling (SEM) to explore the influence mechanisms between the objective conditions (e.g., work environment, work climate, and task complexity), safety management (e.g., safety education and training, safety reward and punishment regulations, safety inspection, safety technology disclosure, and safety warning signs), group influence (propagation of unsafe behaviors among workers), personal perception (subjective judgment of operators on their safety knowledge and skills), and unsafe behaviors. Data from 460 frontline workers were collected through questionnaires and the correlation hypotheses were tested using SPSS 26.0 and Amos 26.0 software. The following conclusions were obtained: (1) objective conditions directly positively influence safety management, group influence, and personal perception but indirectly negatively influence unsafe behavior; (2) safety management not only directly positively affects personal perception but also directly negatively affects unsafe behavior. However, the direct effect of safety management on group influence is not significant; (3) group influence has a direct positive effect on unsafe behavior, but the direct effect on personal perception is not significant; (4) the direct effect of personal perception on unsafe behavior is insignificant. These findings can be used as preliminary data to guide decision makers or managers in construction companies to develop reasonable management plans to curb the unsafe behaviors of frontline workers.