Abstract
We analyzed accident data at construction work sites and examined the processes and contributing factors for communication errors. Of 800 accidents at construction work sites, 50 accidents involving communication errors were analyzed using Variation Tree Analysis, and 60 communication errors were found. These communication errors could be classified into five patterns, personal judgment, equipment fault, planning fault (these three patterns were included in the faulty intention and message pattern), inadequate channel pattern, and faulty comprehension pattern, by using the process model of communication. The contributing factors associated with these five patterns of communication errors were found and classified from the variation nodes and the explanation sections on the variation trees. These results suggested that each pattern had different features concerning the contributing factors of communication errors. Finally, we proposed human factors measures to prevent communication errors based on those patterns.
