An Exploratory Study on the Hazard Identification Skill Acquisition Process for Construction Workers

Abstract

This study aims to clarify the process of hazard identification skill acquisition for construction workers and consider measures to improve hazard identification performance for novice workers. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 16 experienced construction workers and analyzed the data by modified grounded theory approach. As a result, 11 category groups of 37 categories containing 73 concepts were generated and the process of hazard identification skill acquisition was divided into 3 periods (beginner period, beginner to experienced period, and experienced period). Beginners’ characteristics of hazard identification included a lack of knowledge, lack of attention to hazards and circumstance, low risk evaluation, and disregarded risk due to habituation. In the beginner to experienced period, workers’ psychological changes and experiences concerning accidents or hazards promoted the acquisition of hazard identification skill, and the patterning of focus points. Furthermore, in the experienced period, beginners’ characteristics of hazard identification were improved, and the new strategies for hazard identification were applied. Based on these findings, we discussed measures to improve hazard identification performance for novice workers.