SpringerLink
Log in

Exploring the intentional unsafe behavior of workers in prefabricated construction based on structural equation modeling

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Compared with traditional onsite construction, prefabricated construction has a more complex working environment, resulting in more safety risks. While cognitive failure has been identified as a primary cause of intentional unsafe behaviors, there remains a lack of knowledge on the formation mechanism underlying intentional unsafe behaviors among workers in precast construction. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior and the risk preference variable, this study constructs a theoretical model for intentional unsafe behaviors of precast construction workers. Data related to precast construction and safety management activities is collected from 208 frontline workers. Structural Equation Modeling is used to test and modify the theoretical model in order to identify the formation mechanism and pathway underlying intentional unsafe behaviors. The findings show that: (1) workers’ perceptual behavior control, behavior and attitude, risk preference, and subjective norms influence their intention to engage in unsafe behavior and subsequently lead to intentional unsafe behavior; (2) the effect of personal risk preference on intentional unsafe behaviors is significant, contributing 7.71% to overall intentional unsafe behavior; and (3) the effects of the observed variables are more evident than the initial theoretical model. The most prominent of these are the effects of task intensity (IBC1), safety equipment (IBC2), worker behavior (IOW1), historical behavior (IBC3), and behavioral belief (BAA3). Finally, comprehensive measures to control the intentional unsafe behaviors of precast construction workers are recommended. The results of this study are useful for reducing the occurrence of intentional unsafe behaviors by workers and reducing the incidence of accidents in a complex manufacturing-oriented construction environment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

References

  • Ajzen I (1991) The theory of planned behavior, organizational behavior and human decision processes. J Leis Res 50:176–211

    Google Scholar 

  • Armitage CJ, M Conner (2001) ‘Efficacy of the theory of planned behaviour: a meta-analytic review. ‘British J Soc Psychol 40

  • Cai R (2018) Research on influencing factors of construction workers’ intentional unsafe behavior. **angtan University, **angtan

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen H, C Chen, H Li, J Zhang, Z Yang (2022) ‘A simulation study on the processes of intra-group informal interaction affecting workers’ safety behaviors’. Int J Environ Res Public Health 19

  • Chen X, Z Gou (2022) ‘Bridging the knowledge gap between energy-saving intentions and behaviours of young people in residential buildings’. J Build Eng 57

  • Deng S, Peng R, Pan Y, Han S (2022) A cognitive failure model of construction workers’ unsafe behavior. Adv Civil Eng 2022:1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Ding Y, Tian Y (2019) Research on quality and safety risk evaluation of prefabricated building assessment. Constr Econ 40:80–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Dong C, Li X (2019) Obstacles to the promotion of building industrialization based on principal component analysis. Value Eng 38:151–153

    Google Scholar 

  • Fang D, C Zhao, M Zhang (2016) ‘A cognitive model of construction workers’ unsafe behaviors’. J Constr Eng Manag 142

  • Fishbein M, Ajzen I (1977) ‘Belief, attitude, intention and behaviour: an introduction to theory and research Addison-Wesley, Reading MA.’ Philosophy Rhetoric 41:842–844

    Google Scholar 

  • Fogarty G, A Shaw (2009) ‘Safety climate and the theory of planned behavior: towards the prediction of unsafe behavior’. Acc Anal Prev 42

  • Han Y, Mei Q, Liu S, Sun Y (2015) Cognitive causes of construction worker’s unsafe behaviors and management measures. Chin Civil Eng J 29:97–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Haslam RA, SA Hide, AGF Gibb, DE Gyi, T Pavitt, S Atkinson, AR Duff (2005) ‘Contributing factors in construction accidents.’ Appl Ergon 36

  • Heinrich H (1980) Industrial accident prevention: a safety management approach. McGraw-Hill

    Google Scholar 

  • Ji Y, Qi K, Qi Y, Li Y, Li H, Zhen L, Liu Y (2020) BIM-based life-cycle environmental assessment of prefabricated buildings. Eng Constr Archit Manag 27:1703–1725

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaber D, CM Perry, N Segall, M Sheik-Nainar (2007) ‘Workload state classification with automation during simulated air traffic control’. Int J Aviation Psychol 17

  • Lee G, Choi B, Jebelli H, Lee S (2021) ‘Assessment of construction workers’ perceived risk using physiological data from wearable sensors: a machine learning approach’ 42

  • Li G, Xu F, Zou X (2019) Research on the management of five unsafe factors in prefabricated building construction. Constr Safety 34:45–48

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li N, Ma Y, Niu L (2011) Research on miners’ deliberate violation behavior intentions based on theory of planned behavior. China Safety Sci J 21:3–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Li N, **a L (2010) ‘A structural equation model of job burn out, insecurity psychology and insecurity behavior for miner ‘. Chin Mental Health J 24:236–240

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Z, Zhang S, Meng Q, Hu X (2020) Barriers to the development of prefabricated buildings in China: a news coverage analysis. Eng Constr Archit Manag 28:2884–2903

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lian M, Liu R, Lu C, Zhou Z (2020) The influence mechanism and empirical study of miners’ psychological safety capital on their violation behaviors. MING R & D 40:167–173

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu Q, Ye G, Feng Y (2019) Workers’ safety behaviors in the off-site manufacturing plant. Eng Constr Archit Manag 27:765–784

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu Y, F Yao, Y Ji, W Tong, G Liu, H Li, ASCE M, X Hu (2022) ‘Quality control for offsite construction: review and future directions. J Constr Eng Manag 148

  • Lu W, Lv Y (2017) Empirical analysis of induced factors of miners’ deliberate violation behavioral intention based on SEM. China Min Mag 26:35–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Luo M (2017) ‘Research on main obstacles and countermeasures of chinese construction industrialization.’ J Sci Technol Innov 126–27

  • Reason J (1995) ‘A systems approach to organizational error’. Ergonomics 38

  • Reason J (1990) ‘Human error’. Cambridge University Press 23

  • Sheeran P, M Conner, P Norman (2001) ‘Can the theory of planned behavior explain patterns of health behavior change?’, Health psychology: official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association 20

  • Stone RW, HW Heinrich (1931) ‘Industrial accident prevention. ‘Soc Serv Rev 5

  • Sun X, Zhou Z, Tang Y, Lu Y, **ahou X, Li Q (2022) Scene-oriented Statistical Analysis of Safety Accidents in Prefabricated Construction. Constr Technol 51:51–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Tian S, Liu F, Yang L, Zhang H (2014) Study on miners’unsafe behaviors based on theory of planned behavior. Min Safety Environ Protect 41:109–112

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang K, R Wang, X Zhang (2020) ‘Research on unsafe behavior of prefabricated building based on “2–4” model’. Technol Appl 108–11

  • Wang X (2021) ‘Research on intentional unsafe behavior in prefabricated building construction ‘. North China University of Technology, Bei**g

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Yang C (2015) On the influential factors of deliberate violation against the engineering maintenance rule based on SEM. J Saf Environ 15:166–169

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Zhang Y, Chen F (2013) Simulation research on pilots violations evolution based on system dynamics. China Safety Sci J 23:28–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang Y, Zhu L, Shi Z, Xu X, Huang Y (2022) Research on human influencing factors of prefabricated building construction safety. Technol Innov Manag 43:75–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Yao F, Y Ji, W Tong, H Li, G Liu (2021) ‘Sensing technology based quality control and warning systems for sleeve grouting of prefabricated buildings’. Autom Constr 123

  • Ye G, Duan S, Wang H (2015) Study on causation of unsafe behaviors for construction workers. J Safety Sci Technol 11:170–177

    Google Scholar 

  • Ye G, Li X, **ang Q, Yue H (2020) Research on formation mechanism of construction workers’ DVB motivation. China Safety Sci J 30:12–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang S, Tan Q, Liu J, Li W, Pan S (2020) A study of intentional unsafe behavior based on big-five personality trait theory. Ind Safety Environ Prot 46:51–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao J, Wang D, Xu Y (2021) Research on the development obstacles of new building industrialization based on fuzzy ISM-MICMAC model. J Bei**g Univ Civil Eng Arch 37:103–112

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng X, Shi G, Chen C (2017) Causation analysis on intentional unsafe behavior of crane operator under multi-parties game. J Safety Sci Technol 13:175–181

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhuang L, Ma T, Liu S, Liu L (2021) An evolutionary game analysis of behaviors management of prefabricated building safety groups based on PT-MA theory. Ind Eng J 24:68–76+118

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This research was supported by the 2023 College Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program (no. 10805136023XN262-172), the Research Initiation Fund of North China University of Technology (no. 110051360023XN224-50), the Support Special Project of the National Level Project (no. 1100513623XN-283–29), the Organized Scientific Research (no. 110051360023XN278-02), and the North China University of Technology Key Scientific Research Directions (2020–2025) Grant Program (no. 110052972027/034, no. 110052972027/030).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil Engineering, North China University of Technology, Bei**g, 100144, People’s Republic of China

    Fuyi Yao, Chaofan Shi, Yingbo Ji & Yan Liu

  2. Policy Processing Section, Hangzhou Fuyang Jiaotuo Ecological Environment Engineering Limited Company, Hangzhou, 310000, People’s Republic of China

    **aowen Wang

  3. School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University, Locked Bag 20001, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia

    Hong **an Li

Authors
  1. Fuyi Yao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chaofan Shi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. **aowen Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yingbo Ji
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yan Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Hong **an Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

All authors contributed to the study’s conception and design. Research work and analysis were carried out by Fuyi Yao. Yingbo Ji carried out the conceptualization of the intentional unsafe behavior. Chaofan Shi and **aowen Wang wrote the first draft. The data was reviewed and the manuscript was edited by Hong **an Li and Yan Liu. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yingbo Ji.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Philippe Garrigues

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yao, F., Shi, C., Wang, X. et al. Exploring the intentional unsafe behavior of workers in prefabricated construction based on structural equation modeling. Environ Sci Pollut Res 31, 1589–1606 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-30894-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-30894-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation