Safety concerns in China’s construction industry

Abstract

Objective: To study the main problems of labor process safety in the construction industry drawing on the example of the construction of residential buildings. To identify the main factors affecting the construction safety conditions. To propose a new organizational structure for workforce to improve safety management at the construction site. Methods: Analysis, synthesis, statistical method, comparison method, and legal analysis method were applied. Results: It has been established that the growth rate of China’s construction sector surpasses its regulatory framework, which needs to be changed as soon as possible. The state needs to make a concerted effort to unify labor safety standards at construction sites. Five factors were identified that affect the safety conditions during the construction of a residential building: human, construction equipment, environment, construction management and technical. As a result of the study, a new organizational structure for the working personnel has been proposed, based on strengthening supervision both by the management and among the workers in order to change safety conditions management at the construction site. A detailed analysis of the incidents that occurred in 2018 made it possible to identify the most frequent accidents related to construction safety, as well as their types. Construction failures are mainly attributed to management rather than technical aspects. Practical importance: The results obtained can become the basis for further research on occupational safety in China’s construction industry, training and lecture materials. The proposed organizational structure of the working personnel will enable construction companies to carry out construction projects most efficiently while observing all labor protection standards. It is necessary to update the legal framework in the field of working conditions safety.