Quantitative Analysis and Correlation between Safety Perception and Working Performance of Construction Workers in Pampanga, Philippines

Abstract

Accidents are unfortunate incidents that happen unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury. Construction hazards are heavily dependent on the type of construction work that is being carried out. Although these happen by chance, this probability is always high in the construction sector. The main idea is to perform a quantitative analysis in determining the correlation of the perception of workers on safety in relation to their work performance. Due to the presence of risks in construction sites, it is important to know how the performance of workers is affected by them being aware of the presence of risk. From this study, information on the construction workers’ perception of risk would help in the improvement of the management of any construction site; helping the safety and health unit of any company in developing an outline of safety procedures, specific to their workers. A total of 50 respondents were subjected to the survey, coming from different companies within the province of Pampanga. The questionnaires were validated by the COSH and BOSH practitioners in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. The awareness on the issue of safety on site was divided into three parameters: (1) the presence of hazard and risks; (2) the presence of safety protocols; and (3) the implementation or application of safety procedures on site. These variables were correlated with the workers’ performance. Using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), the Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient ( ) was computed in pairing these three levels with the performance of workers. The three levels, in relation to the work performance, yielded the following coefficient values: -0.162, 0.057, and 0.140. The first of these values indicate that the more aware the workers of these risks, their level of performance on their assigned workload decreases. The second value indicates that being aware of workers on the presence of safety procedures on site will not greatly affect the performance of the workers. From here, it could be concluded that workers respond greatly when they are aware that the safety protocols and procedures are properly implemented on site. It is not enough that safety measures are there; they must be executed to ensure workers’ safety.