Pandemic-Related Safety and Health Challenges in the Construction Industry
Abstract
The COVID-19 epidemic has significantly impacted the construction sector, affecting safety regulations and practices globally. This research addresses the multidimensional challenges of pandemic safety and their implications for workers and project management. Key issues include worker management, crew rotation, and compliance with public health laws. Previously routine practices like shift work and crew rotation have become complex as projects strive to maintain productivity while safeguarding worker health. This study aims to ensure a safe working environment during a pandemic, both on-site and in the office. The main objective of this paper is to identify pandemic-related safety and health challenges. The research employed a quantitative method, distributing questionnaires to Grade G7 contractor firms in Selangor. Findings revealed that most contractors strongly agree on the challenges related to pandemic safety and health, such as emergency response, social distancing, and regulatory compliance. Ultimately, this paper provides a roadmap for safeguarding workers and sustaining productivity in the construction industry amidst ongoing and future public health crises.
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Araya, F. (2021). Modeling working shifts in construction projects using an agent-based approach to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Journal of Building Engineering, 41, 102413 - 102413.
Bashirzade, R. (2021). Using The Principles Of Cybernetics In Managing The Logistics System Of The City's Housing Complex. Scientific Review Theory and Practice. 1765-1778
Berry, L., Danaher, T., Aksoy, L., & Keiningham, T. (2020). Service Safety in the Pandemic Age. Journal of Service Research, 23, 391 - 395.
Cabanesas, A., Cabanesas, R., Padilla, J., Manzon, R., & Loria, S. (2021). New Normal in the Construction Industry a Covid-19 Effect. Engineering and Technology Journal.
Croswell, J., Corley, D., Lafata, J., Haas, J., Inadomi, J., Kamineni, A., Ritzwoller, D., Vachani, A., & Zheng, Y. (2021). Cancer screening in the U.S. through the COVID-19 pandemic, recovery, and beyond. Preventive Medicine, 151, 106595
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Dirikgil, E., Roos, R., Groeneveld, G., Heringhaus, C., Silven, A., Petrus, A., Villalobos-Quesada, M., Tsonaka, R., Boog, P., Rabelink, T., Bos, W., Chavannes, N., Atsma, D., & Teng, Y. (2021). Home monitoring reduced short stay admissions in suspected COVID-19 patients: COVID-box project. The European Respiratory Journal, 58.
Dobrucali, E., Sadikoglu, E., Demirkesen, S., Zhang, C., & Tezel, A. (2022). Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 on the United States Construction Industry: Challenges and Opportunities. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, PP, 1-13.
Friese, C., Veenema, T., Johnson, J., Jayaraman, S., Chang, J., & Clever, L. (2020). Respiratory Protection Considerations for Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic.. Health security
Gajdosikova, D., Valaskova, K., Kliestik, T., & Machová, V. (2022). COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Impact on Challenges in the Construction Sector: A Case Study of Slovak Enterprises. Mathematics.
Greiner, B., Leduc, C., O'Brien, C., Cresswell-Smith, J., Rugulies, R., Wahlbeck, K., Abdulla, K., Amann, B., Pashoja, A., Coppens, E., Corcoran, P., Maxwell, M., Ross, V., Winter, L., Arensman, E., & Aust, B. (2022). The effectiveness of organisational-level workplace mental health interventions on mental health and wellbeing in construction workers: A systematic review and recommended research agenda. PLOS ONE, 17.
Hidayatullah, A. (2022). Spatial configuration between zoning area in simple residential houses at limited space post pandemic situation. Malaysian Journal of Society and Space.
Jacoby, S., & Alonso, L. (2022). Home Use and Experience during COVID-19 in London: Problems of Housing Quality and Design. Sustainability.
Jamal, M., Shah, M., Almarzooqi, S. H., Aber, H., Khawaja, S., Abed, R. E. & Samaranayake, L. (2020). Overview of transnational recommendations for covid‐19 transmission control in dental care settings. Oral Diseases, 27(S3), 655-664.
Jiang, L., & Lavaysse, L. (2018). Cognitive and Affective Job Insecurity: A Meta-Analysis and a Primary Study. Journal of Management, 44, 2307 - 2342.
Keeling, M., Hollingsworth, T., & Read, J. (2020). Efficacy of contact tracing for the containment of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 74, 861 - 866.
Kobylarek, A (2021) Post-pandemic challenges for learning communities. (2021). Journal of Education Culture and Society, 12(1), 5-11.
Li, N., Sun, M., Bi, Z., Su, Z., & Wang, C. (2014). A new methodology to support group decision-making for IoT-based emergency response systems. Information Systems Frontiers, 16, 953-977.
Ling, F., Zhang, Z., & Yew, A. (2022). Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Demand, Output, and Outcomes of Construction Projects in Singapore. Journal of Management in Engineering.
Navid, M., Raza, S., & Rasheed, M. (2021). Quarantine Practices during Covid-19: Current Experiences and Strategic Prevention from Future Pandemics. 2. 199-200.
Pamidimukkala, A., & Kermanshachi, S. (2021). Impact of Covid-19 on field and office workforce in construction industry. Project Leadership and Society, 2, 100018.
Pathak EB, Garcia RB, Menard JM, Salemi JL. Out-of-Hospital COVID-19 Deaths: Consequences for Quality of Medical Care and Accuracy of Cause of Death Coding. Am J Public Health. 2021 Jul;111(S2):S101-S106.
Salami, B.A., Ajayi, S.O. and Oyegoke, A.S., 2021. Tackling the impacts of Covid-19 on construction projects: an exploration of contractual dispute avoidance measures adopted by construction firms. International Journal of Construction Management, pp.1-9.
Salari, N., Hosseinian-Far, A., Jalali, R. et al. Prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression among the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Global Health 16, 57 (2020).
Santarpia, J.L., Rivera, D.N., Herrera, V.L. et al. Aerosol and surface contamination of SARS-CoV-2 observed in quarantine and isolation care. Sci Rep 10, 12732 (2020).
Tetrevova L, Vavra J, Munzarova S. Communication of Socially-Responsible Activities by Higher Education Institutions. Sustainability. 2021; 13(2):483.
`Usher K, Bhullar N, Durkin J, Gyamfi N, Jackson D. Family violence and COVID-19: Increased vulnerability and reduced options for support. Int J Ment Health Nurs. 2020 Aug;29(4):549-552.
Wang C, Wang Z, Wang G, Lau JY, Zhang K, Li W. COVID-19 in early 2021: current status and looking forward. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2021 Mar 8;6(1):114.
Wu F, Zhao S, Yu B, Chen YM, Wang W, Song ZG, Hu Y, Tao ZW, Tian JH, Pei YY, Yuan ML, Zhang YL, Dai FH, Liu Y, Wang QM, Zheng JJ, Xu L, Holmes EC, Zhang YZ. A new coronavirus associated with human respiratory disease in China. Nature. 2020 Mar;579(7798):265-269.
Yu, H., Lee, L., Popa, I., & Madera, J. M. (2021). Should I leave this industry? The role of stress and negative emotions in response to an industry negative work event. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 94(January), 102843.
Published
2024-11-01
How to Cite
MOHD RAZI, Razman Aiman; WAN MOHD AZMI, Wan Faida.
Pandemic-Related Safety and Health Challenges in the Construction Industry.
International Journal of Business and Technology Management, [S.l.], v. 6, n. S2, p. 267-277, nov. 2024.
ISSN 2682-7646.
Available at: <https://myjms.mohe.gov.my/index.php/ijbtm/article/view/27935>. Date accessed: 05 dec. 2024.
Issue
Section
English Section
