Determining the Role of Attentional Control among Construction Workers in Improving Safety Performance

Atefeh Mohammadpour, Somayeh Asadi, Ebrahim Karan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Human error is the most dominant factor in approximately 70 to 80% of safety-related accidents in the construction industry. The inability to exert attentional control has proven to be a contributing factor in many injuries, such as falls, slips, and trips in field construction activities. The sources of attention in the human brain can be categorized into three networks: alertness, orientation, and executive control. This paper focuses on an investigation of specific links between the three attentional networks and safety-related risks among construction workers. Subsequently, this paper aims to test the hypothesis that construction workers with high attentional control are able to recognize and perceive more safety hazards than those with lower attentional control. To address it, work experience and knowledge on safety information of participants is evaluated using a questionnaire. Then, the attention network test (ANT) is conducted to assess the efficiency of the three attention networks of participants. Finally, an experiment using photos of potential hazards in the workplace is performed to evaluate the ability of participants to recognize and perceive safety hazards followed by a statistical analysis. The paper makes recommendation based on the conducted experiment as well as statistical result.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationConstruction Research Congress 2016
Subtitle of host publicationOld and New Construction Technologies Converge in Historic San Juan - Proceedings of the 2016 Construction Research Congress, CRC 2016
EditorsJose L. Perdomo-Rivera, Carla Lopez del Puerto, Antonio Gonzalez-Quevedo, Francisco Maldonado-Fortunet, Omar I. Molina-Bas
PublisherAmerican Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Pages2793-2800
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9780784479827
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016
EventConstruction Research Congress 2016: Old and New Construction Technologies Converge in Historic San Juan, CRC 2016 - San Juan, Puerto Rico
Duration: May 31 2016Jun 2 2016

Publication series

NameConstruction Research Congress 2016: Old and New Construction Technologies Converge in Historic San Juan - Proceedings of the 2016 Construction Research Congress, CRC 2016

Other

OtherConstruction Research Congress 2016: Old and New Construction Technologies Converge in Historic San Juan, CRC 2016
Country/TerritoryPuerto Rico
CitySan Juan
Period5/31/166/2/16

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Building and Construction

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