Development of Worker Safety Attitude Construct and Model in Oil & Gas Construction Projects

In construction industry, there are lots of factors that affect accident rate. Attitude of the worker is the one of factors which has influence to it. Thus, worker attitude is important to prevent accident from occurring.

The companies have implemented a lot of safety programs in construction site to reduce the accident rate in the construction industry. Also, they want to increase productivity of their work. However, the safety programs might have influences to worker positively and negatively. The companies must be alarmed and take extra care in these both effects of safety programs.

Although there are many researchers conducted study related to safety programs, still the problem now is that, companies do not know how to develop workers’ attitude. Therefore, companies cannot implement safety programs to make safety attitude and behavior for workers in construction site.

Mr. Thanaporn Buaklom made a research which aimed to determine the worker’s attitude constructs and model in Oil and Gas industry. To accomplish this primary objective, three specific objectives were also needed as follows:

• To develop safety attitude constructs and model.

• To study the implementation level of safety program in Oil and Gas industry.

• To determine the correlation between safety program and worker attitude.

Conclusion

The effect of difference worker attitude base on Age and Experiences to worker attitude

As the result of this study, age and experience were analyzed to determine their different effects to safety worker attitude. Normally, the age and experience have effect to the worker attitude. However, in the Oil and Gas projects, they play more attention in safety occupation. Thus, the safety attitude was established at the beginning stage of work, and it was found out that the age and experience have no influence to the worker attitude. In conclusion, the age and experiences of worker have no effect to worker attitude in Oil and Gas projects.

Development of worker attitude constructs and model

There are six factors for worker attitude constructs found. The worker attitude was established from the environmental impact such as worker experience, company support, and personal perception and so on. Therefore, to develop the worker attitude, the important factors have to consider. In addition, this study found the factors that construct the worker attitude. If the companies try to improve worker attitude, they have to improve these factors such as Personal motivation for safe behavior; Personal effectiveness; Positive safety practice; External motivation; Cognitive; and Belief

These factors present the element to improve worker attitude in construction work. The personal motivation for safe behavior is the most effective to worker attitude, because this factor is influenced by the company’s motivation to do their work safely. In addition, the worker can improve their behavior following these factors. Moreover, each factor can represent some element as shown in the table below.


The implementation level of safety programs in Oil and Gas industry

This objective measured the implementation level of safety program. To achieve this objective, this study distributed questionnaire to safety managers, and conducted an interview to know how they implement the safety programs in their company. Moreover, the data was ranked by the implementation of safety programs. The result is shown in the table below.

The meanings of range are:
Ranges Level of implementation
1.00-1.50 Poor level
1.51-2.50 Fair level
2.51-3.50 Good level
3.51-4.00 Excellent level

The meaning of ranges explained about implementation level as elaborated in the previous chapter.


As the result of this study, there are two safety programs which were most implemented 1) In house safety rule 2) Personnel Protection Equipment. These two safety programs are provided for carefully preventing the accident with worker. These are proactive safety programs, which implement before the accident occurred. The reasons for implementing these programs are to easily supervise the worker. Therefore, the safety managers prefer to implement these two programs. Thus, these programs are highest implementation level in oil and Gas industry.

On the other hand, the behavior base safety program has the lowest level of implementation because this program builds for change the risk behavior of worker. For example, the worker is risk taker, who want to work with risk behavior, behavior base safety program are provided to change the behavior of worker; to work safely which is difficult to change. Therefore, this safety program has a lowest level implementation.

As the result of this study, the implementation level of safety programs show the capability of company to implement the safety programs in their company. Each company has different approach to implement safety programs. Some company want to emphasize on management programs, thus, the company will provide more special safety programs. Especially in Oil and Gas industry, they have more safety programs to implement in their work places. Therefore the implementation level of safety program tends to have high implementation level.

The Regression model between safety programs and worker attitude

This research used multiple regression method to find the correlation between safety programs and worker attitude. The data was collected from safety managers and workers in Oil and Gas industry.

The result showed that, there are no significant relationship between safety programs and worker attitude. The model summary of multiple regressions show R square equals .083 which means safety programs has correlation to worker attitude only by 8.3% Consequently, the correlation among safety programs and safety attitude is very low.

The main reason that makes this situation occurred is the assessment of safety program which cannot use to predict the relationship between safety programs and worker attitude in Oil and Gas project. Moreover, there are many factors which affects to worker attitude as cognitive and personal perception. Thus, the safety program cannot signify which safety programs have direct influence to worker attitude.

On the contrary, the safety programs have impact to worker attitude in term of indirect way to worker. This effect encouraged the worker to work safely in the site. This effect is shown by the average that worker attitude is high. This means that the worker attitude have effect from safety programs.

The correlation between organization and worker attitude

These analyses determined the correlation between organization and worker attitude in the company. The relationship between organization factor and worker attitude is the effect of organization to safety attitude. Normally, the organization factors have influences to company employee. In this study, the researcher focused on the influence of organization to worker attitude.

To achieve the objective, which organization factors were implemented in the company, safety managers were interviewed, and the worker attitude comes from the factors analysis.

The result showed that there is a little correlation occurred between personal effectiveness of worker and organization structure, leadership, management style, communication, job responsibility, training and trust. The result explained that the relationship among organization factors and worker attitude is in term of personal effectiveness.

Conclusion, the personal effectiveness is sensitive with the organization factors. There is a small correlation between personal effectiveness and organization factors; while it is evident the other organization factors have no relationship with factor of worker safety attitude.

His thesis abstract is copied and posted below.

Abstract

The construction industry started to boom recently. The construction works have greatly impact in developing the economy particularly in Thailand. Many infrastructures have been built and many investors have been encouraged to bring their business in the country. Many new technologies have been used to upgrade the construction process, but despite of this new knowledge, problems keep on arising at different level in any construction site. Therefore, this research was conducted to study about safety in construction work which is specifically related to safety attitude of worker.

Moreover, the safety programs in construction works were also studied. There were three objectives in this study such as follow:
(1) to develop worker attitude construct and model;
(2) to study the implementation level of safety programs in Oil and Gas industry; and
(3) to determine the correlation between safety programs and worker attitude.

In order to carry out the research objectives, the author collected data from workers and safety managers by using questionnaire. These data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. In addition, the safety managers were interviewed to understand more the safety occupation they applied in their companies.

As the result of this study, the worker safety attitude construct was found having six factors. These are personal motivation for behavior, personal effectiveness, positive safety practice, external motivation, cognitive and belief. These factors represent the worker attitude, which the company can apply to develop more the worker attitude.

For the implementation level of safety programs, the result of this study shown that the safety programs were more implemented in the work place. It was also found out that among the safety programs which implemented; in-house safety rules and personal protection Equipment have the highest levels.. In the contrary, behavior base safety has the lowest level of safety programs implementation.

The correlation study between safety programs and worker attitude revealed that these two have no correlation at all. These can explain that the safety program have indirect impact to worker attitude. Moreover, there are many factors which affect the worker attitude. Thus the safety programs are not the only possible reasons having direct impact to worker attitude. iv
In conclusion, this study suggests to policy implementers, construction firms and to the reader to develop factors for worker attitude too. The implementation levels of safety program are shown. Therefore, this research can be of great help to the construction industry to develop safety occupation in the future.

Internationalization Process of Pakistani Contractor

The fourth paper “Internationalization Process of Pakistani Contractor” which was presented during the International Design and Construction Management Forum in Hilton Millennium Hotel, Bangkok on March 13-15, 2011 is authored by Mr. Hassan Fazliani.

His full paper presentation is posted below.

Construction Claim Negotiation In International Projects

Mr. Ahsen Maqsoom is the third student who presented his paper entitled “Construction Claim Negotiation In International Projects” during the International Design and Construction Management Forum in Hilton Millennium Hotel, Bangkok on March 13-15, 2011.

The topic of his doctoral research is “Factors affecting the internationalization of multinational construction firms”. Below is his full poster presentation.

Building Trust in Contractor - Owner Relationships: Case Study in Vietnam

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tam is one of the Doctoral students who presented his paper during the International Design and Construction Management Forum in Hilton Millennium Hotel, Bangkok on March 13-15, 2011. The title of his presentation was “Building Trust in Contractor - Owner Relationships: Case Study in Vietnam”.

His poster presented is posted below.

Theoretical Framework of Strategic behaviors in Thai contractors: an empirical case study

Four students from the Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Management field of study presented their paper during the International Design and Construction Management Forum in Hilton Millennium Hotel, Bangkok on March 13-15, 2011.

One of the presenters, Colonel Arthasith Hastheetham presented his paper on “Theoretical Framework of Strategic behaviors in Thai contractors: an empirical case study”. This study is also published in Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 2011, Vol.18 issue 2.

CEIM open applications for August 2011 Intake.

We open the application for August 2011 intake for AIT Thailand campus. Limited numbers of scholarships are available for talented applicants. Some of the scholarships are Royal Thai Government scholarship, The King of Thailand scholarship, The Queen of Thailand Scholarship, Asian Development Bank scholarship etc.

What is CEIM? CEIM master and doctoral programs aim to prepare engineers to manage large construction projects starting from planning, design, tendering, construction and commissioning.

What will you learn? you will learn important knowledge and skills in project management in construction such as project planning/scheduling, project cost and financial management, organizational management, project contract, project risk, project quality management, project performance management and project financing.

Where will you work after graduation? You can work in strategic industries that highly need project management such as:
- Contractors (highway, building, oil/gas and energy)
- Consultants
- Property and real estate developers
- Bank and Invesment companies
- Public Private Partnership Consortium
- Financial and Banking institutions that lend fundings for construction projects
- hotel and apartment development
- oil and gas construction

What else will you learn during your study with us in AIT?
AIT is a very multicultural insitute. Our students and faculty members come from different parts of the world such as Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, Taiwan, Pakistan, Indonesia, China, Korea, European Union. Aside from studying knowledge, you will also learn different cultures and different ways of thinking from your friends; and develop your global international networking.


Please contact CEIM Secretary (Ms. Woranuch, phone 025246060 or email woranuch@ait.ac.th) for further information.

Visit CEIM: http://www.set.ait.ac.th/ceim
How to apply? http://www.ait.ac.th/AIT/admissions/admissions


Regards
Dr. BHW Hadikusumo
Associate Professor
CEIM Coordinator
MPM Coordinator

Communication ManagementiIn Construction

One of the traits and probably the most important factor in all successful construction projects is communication both internal and external. So, how the communication would be helpful for construction targets? What effective measures and medium should be used in modern construction now? What is the adverse way/manner in construction communication that should be avoided and eliminated for ensuring smooth and as good as practice performance/activities in construction?

There are a lot of possible problems of communication in construction. Each of those also can negatively affect to the goal and success of construction project. The most common problems related to communication in construction are the following:
- Miscommunication or misaddressing
- Misunderstanding due to misinterpretation or misconception
- Unclear/ambiguous understanding
- Lack of link or interruption of connection of communication
- Cultural barriers and/or language differences
- Complexity of the unique construction or very high technology
- Too extensive of scope
- Inadequate information, time constraint, insufficient control
- Conflict and/or poorly informed participants

Mr. Du Thien Duc made a case study on the Tallest Tower in HCMC project. Due to limited time and resources, his report only focused on the following objectives:

i. Identify what and how an appropriate/effective communication should be useful in a construction project.

ii. Study the application of communication in a case of construction of the tallest tower now in Hochiminh city: THE 68-story BITEXCO FINANCIAL TOWER.

Conclusion

Communication is always an indispensable necessity and demand of individual, collectivity, community, and organization. In construction and for construction projects, especially for big project or trans-countries project, such regard becomes more and more important. It plays a vital role for the link of all resources to create a collective and common force for the well-performance of the project, hence bring benefits to every involved individual and team/group, company, community and society.

Building an effective and powerful communication system for a construction project is not a simple/easy work at all. It demands good background, expertise platform, life experienced and a brain-storming as well as an open soul and inspiration; and – of course – subject to the specificity, particularity and size of the desired construction project.

All manners and measures are settled for the ultimate goal: the success of the project - meant benefits brought to the clients, contractors, supplier, all parties involved, community and society.

The success of construction project also mean success in every phase of the project. Therefore the communication plan or method applied to the project should be deployed and mobilized effectively and productively through every stage of the construction project such as:

Planning stage:
- Quite understand the intention of the client; the purposes and functions of the project.
- Deeply discuss and consult with the client for common understanding
- Collect experience from expert on each specific and particular disciplines of the constructed project, to learn the best estimation on technique, technology, cost and schedule.
- Anticipate and evaluate the pros and cons for the project; and then exchange, dialogue with the client and project team.
- Create a harmonious team which will result in perfect teamwork consists of project management, conceptual architects, quantity surveyors and the authorized representatives of the client.

Design stage:
- Clearly classify and discriminate sets of drawings: architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, façade, curtain wall, interior, setting-out, schematics, plan and section layout
- Collect and then select a qualified list of designers with the approval from the client.
- Timely and validly update for revised set of drawings or bulletin so that any update of drawings is always recorded, documented and controlled.

Construction stage:
- All contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, installer, and others must conform to and comply with a very clear, strong and powerful project procedure.
- A very effective and valid method and means of communication is media. This will not be interrupted and limited as much as expected on the variant, deformation or distortion of the information transmitted to the destination.
- Have an effective mechanism of sending, receiving and feed-back of information.
- A very clear, transparent, friendly and open-minded mechanism for inter-communicating between the client, project management and contractors, suppliers.
- Instruction or notices should be prompt, timely, and accurate.

Close-out stage:
- Clear instruction and schedule for contractors to hand-over.
- Close coordination with the client for taking-over
- Thorough checking for the compliance of local and international codes.
- Documentation of all paper works for hand-over and take-over process.
External relations and communication:
- To court, to win the popularity, especially for the supports from local
authorities and press, public opinion.
- To strictly keep the security of adjacent community and environment.
- Keep informing and communicating positively with press and media.
- To create opportunity and influence for any possible chance.

Always consider the very important role of external communication, public and media, and especially the support from local authorities and community.

Important role of ICT and advanced technology:

Role of ICT – information & communication technology plays important and efficient factors in project communication. Telecom and Communication equipment/devices in a construction project should be sufficient, redundant, back-up and standby and as advanced as possible. Computers, servers and routers used in construction site, document control as well as project management should be powerful and durable; sufficient to handle a lot of information coming at the same time. And also be ready for a satellite leased lines for contingency.

For a very big project or trans-country/trans-border construction project, an intermediate server and/or share-point; share-archive is recommended for convenience and help for inter-communication.

Recommendations

The communication system for construction project must satisfy the following requirements:
- Only one common language (English) to be used in the project.
- Simple & precise.
- Prompt & instant
- Clear & accurate
- Internal & external
- Suitable & proper for any circumstance
- Effective and productive
- Timely and synchronous
- Friendly and appropriate

Communication in construction project is the art of control, monitoring, verification, recording and documentation. Obviously, a lot of factors affect to the process; positively and negatively as well. This requires the project management to be smart to filter and identify what are the helpful and active things that bring the advantages and conveniences to the project implementation.

His thesis abstract is copied and posted.

Abstract

Everyone is aware on the legend of “Tower of Babel”. According to the biblical account, a united humanity of the generations following the Great Flood, speaking a single language and migrating from the east, came to the land of Shinar, where they resolved to build a city with a tower "with its top in the heavens...lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the Earth". God came down to see what they did and said: "They are one peoples and have one language, and nothing will be withheld from them which they purpose to do." So God said, "Come, let us go down and confound their speech." And so God scattered them upon the face of the Earth, and confused their languages, and they left off building the city, which was called Babel "because God there confounded the language of all the Earth." (Genesis 11:5-8).

The legend “Tower of Babel” has often been associated and implied with the impossibility, the delay in completion of a program, a schedule, a target because of weak or deficiency of communication in the process; particularly in construction process .

That is the story in the old days; how about of the similar case in nowadays? Let see a piece of news of BRE (Building Research Establishment, Scotland – enquiries@bre.co.uk _ www.bre.co.uk):

Poor Communication Costing UK Construction Industry
PRESS RELEASE
It is estimated that defects in the UK construction industry, many of which are the result of the inefficient use and communication of information, cost at least £20 billion to correct every year.

In Vietnam, yet a comprehensive report on losses and damages caused by unsound communication in construction but through over many poor-quality construction project completed; it is affirmable that poor, bad, insufficient, ineffective, improper, and so on related to communication are involved.

• What is project communication? Project communication is a link which connects the major goals of a project: time schedule – quality expected – cost estimated and safety requirement.
• Why project communication is important? Because depending on the thoroughness, comprehensiveness and effectiveness of the communication; the goals of the project would be perfect and as expected or not.

From this viewpoint, the objective of this report is to study on various factors impact to communication in construction projects and how to improve the communication in construction so that it can help and support the construction management team to get the planned targets effectively and conveniently.