California Construction Trucking Association (CCTA)

With so much emphasis on safety and accident prevention, why do workers still have accidents or become injured on the job? Unsafe conditions and mechanical failures that cause accidents and injury are the main cause, and can be readily correctable. However, there are also other root causes at work, and a primary one is human behavior.

Insufficient training or the lack thereof is a basic cause for accidents and injury. Workers may simply not be aware of the hazards involved with a job, tool, or equipment. Every worker should be trained to do a particular task or use a certain tool correctly and safely. From day one, workers must be informed of the hazards they may be exposed to at the workplace and shown ways to protect themselves from injury or illness.

Displaying poor work habits will set bad examples which can come from job familiarity or begin when a new job is started. A new worker could be following the example of a veteran worker who has developed unsafe work practices or habits that have not been corrected.  Regular training can help new and long-term workers develop acceptable work habits.  Supervisors can play an important role in controlling poor work habits by constantly reinforcing good work practices when they do their worksite walk-through.

Displaying an “indifferent” attitude or showing a lack of concern. This attitude could be temporary because of personal problems or it could become a dangerous habit. Continually observe worker performance and reinforce job safety standards.  Safe work performance is important for the well being of all workers at the site.

Showing off in the workplace is a bad idea. The worksite is not an arena for any type of horseplay, showing off, or clowning around. There are enough inherent hazards in construction without creating more for attention.  Daring or inappropriate behavior should not be encouraged or tolerated.

Rushing through the job can be disastrous. Completing a job within a short amount of time can sometimes be a good thing, but if it’s done where speed jeopardizes safety then it’s a bad and even dangerous thing. Safety should be the determining factor of the speed of any job.
When someone loses control of their emotions it can result in unsafe behavior and accidents.  Supervisors should be aware of workers who are “hot headed,” or are depressed. They should either talk with the worker or suggest employee assistance programs that could be of help. (This suggestion should be exercised at the discretion of the supervisor)

A worker may have physical limitations that make it impossible to perform the job properly such as poor eyesight, poor hearing, fatigue or other health ailments.  Workers may not recognize that their condition is jeopardizing safe work performance.  Pre-employment and periodic work physicals can help surface a heath issue.

The good news is that many of these human factors can be corrected. Stay in touch with workers.  Conduct a walk-through of the site daily. Talk to workers and observe how they’re doing their jobs.  Schedule periodic training where questions about safe work practices can be discussed.  Worker attitudes and behaviors can be a negative factor in causing accidents but they can also be a positive factor in accident prevention.