Assessing workplace hazard and safety: Case study on falling irom height at building construction site

Abstract

Construction of building exposes the workers to the hazards of working at height. Although safety measures have been enforced and taken by the workers, the case about accidents from such workplace are still being reported. In the last 20 years, there have been significant reductions in the number and rate of injury. Nevertheless, construction continues to be one of the high-risk sectors in the world. This research attempted to assess the real case of falling from heights that had happened in Malaysia. The purpose of this case study is to make an evaluation of workplace hazard and safety through a HIRARC analysis. Case 1 was about a worker who fall from formworks structure and pronounced dead at the scene. Case 2 involved another worker who fall through roof opening dead on the same day as sent to hospital. The data was evaluated in form of Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control, Cause and Effect analysis, and Pareto analysis. Failure to manage and apply consistent safe work practise shall result to accidents which could give impact the country's economic development. Experience does not seem to diminish accident occurrence; hazards are often misjudged by workers.