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Article
Publication date: 20 November 2017

Albert P.C. Chan, Francis K.W. Wong, Carol K.H. Hon, Arshad Ali Javed and Sainan Lyu

With increasing employment of ethnic minority (EM) workers from different nationalities to mitigate the growing demand for a construction workforce, the safety and health problems…

1577

Abstract

Purpose

With increasing employment of ethnic minority (EM) workers from different nationalities to mitigate the growing demand for a construction workforce, the safety and health problems of these workers have become a significant concern. The purpose of this paper is to identify and rank according to severity the safety and health-related problems confronted by EM construction workers.

Design/methodology/approach

Grounded theory approach was employed to construct the main categories and subcategories of the construction safety and health problems of EM workers. A two-round Delphi survey of 18 experts, who are highly experienced in managing EM workers, was conducted to rank the relative severity of the identified safety and health problems.

Findings

A total of 14 subcategories and 4 categories of construction safety and health problems of EM workers were identified. Among the 14 subcategories, the most urgent and serious ones were insufficient safety materials and training in their native language, insufficient safety staff from EM origin, and safety communication barriers. In addition, safety and health problems at the corporate and governmental levels are also worth paying attention.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the update on the existing body of knowledge on safety and health problems encountered by EM construction workers and revelation of their peculiar situation in Hong Kong. Findings of the study will be of value to various stakeholders in formulating safety and health measures for EM construction workers.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 24 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

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Article
Publication date: 4 July 2016

Albert P.C. Chan, Wen Yi and Francis K.W. Wong

Extreme hot environments are prevalent in many occupational settings, and facilities management workers are no exception. Wearing suitable cooling garment is a useful means to…

689

Abstract

Purpose

Extreme hot environments are prevalent in many occupational settings, and facilities management workers are no exception. Wearing suitable cooling garment is a useful means to alleviate heat strain and improving performance at heat exposure. This paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness and applicability of the cooling vest across four selected fields (i.e. construction, outdoor cleaning and horticulture, kitchen work and work involved manual handling at the airport) and identify the shortcomings of the cooling vest used by the participating workers.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a two-phase design: a quantitative questionnaire survey followed by qualitative in-depth interviews.

Findings

A remarkable physical strain alleviation (PSA) of 21.1 per cent (14.8 per cent in construction, 18.8 per cent in horticulture and cleaning, 27.4 per cent in kitchen and catering and 26.5 per cent in airport apron service) is achieved by the use of cooling vest in four industries. Despite the success of PSA, several shortcomings of the cooling vest were identified: easily stained color, heavy weight, short cooling time, inflexibility that presents a hazard around moving equipment, lack of industry-specific design, nondurable and thick fabric with poor permeability.

Originality/value

The findings of the current study do not only confirm the effectiveness of the cooling vest in alleviating heat strain and physical strain but also identify the major shortcomings upon which further improvements can be made.

Details

Facilities, vol. 34 no. 9/10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

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Article
Publication date: 3 August 2020

Sainan Lyu, Carol K.H. Hon, Albert P.C. Chan, Arshad Ali Javed, Rita Peihua Zhang and Francis K.W. Wong

Previous studies have highlighted that communication barrier was one of the major safety problems faced by ethnic minority (EM) workers. This study aims to model the predominant…

509

Abstract

Purpose

Previous studies have highlighted that communication barrier was one of the major safety problems faced by ethnic minority (EM) workers. This study aims to model the predominant safety communication networks of EM crews and explore the relationships among safety communication networks, individual attributes, safety climate, near misses and injuries of EM crews.

Design/methodology/approach

Case studies were conducted with EM crews in the Hong Kong construction industry. Demographic attribute, network, safety climate and accidents data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed by a combination of social network analysis (SNA), cross-case comparison and nonparametric tests.

Findings

The results revealed that language proficiency, network density and level of reciprocity were contributing factors of distinguishing high and low safety performing EM crews. EM management received more safety information from EM workers than local management. The centrality of EM workers was significantly related to their age, the perceived priority of safety and language ability.

Practical implications

The research findings regarding the impact of safety communication network characteristics on the safety performance of EM crews provides insights to employers on how to cultivate effective safety communication patterns within EM crews that can lead to better safety performance. The connections between personal attributes and their positions in safety communication networks could help the employers identify the EM workers who are positioned on edges of networks and need more attention.

Originality/value

This study contributes to knowledge by enriching the limited research on analyzing safety communication of small construction crews using SNA and expanding the research object to EM construction crews in the literature, who are more vulnerable to construction accidents. This research also extends the existing body of knowledge from studies mainly carried out in Western culture to Eastern culture. Although safety communication has been regarded as important for EM workers, there is a lack of quantitative analysis on this at a crew level. The present study provides empirical research to reveal authentic safety communication networks and their connections with safety performance and personal attributes.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 28 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

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Article
Publication date: 5 October 2015

Albert P.C. Chan, Yang Yang, Francis K.W. Wong, Daniel W.M. Chan and Edmond W.M. Lam

– The aim of this study is to investigate wearing comfort of summer work uniforms judged by construction workers.

652

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate wearing comfort of summer work uniforms judged by construction workers.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 189 male construction workers participated in a series of wear trials and questionnaire surveys in the summer of 2014. They were asked to randomly wear two types of work uniforms (i.e. uniforms A and B) in the two-day field survey and the subjective attributes of these uniforms were assessed. Three analytical techniques, namely, multiple regression, artificial neural network and fuzzy logic were used to predict wearing comfort affected by the six subjective sensations.

Findings

The results revealed that fuzzy logic was a robust and practical tool for predicting wearing comfort in terms of better prediction performance and more interpretable results than the other models. Pressure attributes were further found to exert a greater effect than thermal–wet attributes on wearing comfort. Overall, the use of uniform B exhibited profound benefits on wearing comfort because it kept workers cooler, drier and more comfortable with less work performance interference than wearing uniform A.

Originality/value

The findings provide a fresh insight into construction workers’ needs for work clothes, which further facilitates the improvement in the clothing tailor-made design and the enhancement of the well-being of workers.

Details

Construction Innovation, vol. 15 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-4175

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Article
Publication date: 5 June 2007

Patrick T.I. Lam, Francis K.W. Wong and Franky W.H. Wong

Buildability is concerned with enhancing building designs to achieve ease of construction. Adapting from the Buildable Design Appraisal System in Singapore, a tailored‐made…

1380

Abstract

Purpose

Buildability is concerned with enhancing building designs to achieve ease of construction. Adapting from the Buildable Design Appraisal System in Singapore, a tailored‐made Buildability Assessment Model (BAM), which scores buildability of building designs, has been devised for use in Hong Kong. In developing the BAM, local factors and terrain characteristics, e.g. highly constrained and sloping site conditions, which are common features besetting the industry, are particularly considered. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to report on the effects of building sites on buildability.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey with 39 valid responses was administered on construction practitioners, aimed at understanding the relative buildability importance of a number of building features and site‐specific factors in Hong Kong. Analysis was carried out using the relative importance index method.

Findings

It is found that the most important buildability considerations for building features and site‐specific factors are “simplicity” and “allowing working space for safe construction and minimising water ingress and geotechnical difficulties”, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

The small sample size, though statistically significant, can be increased in further studies of similar type, to enhance the representativeness of the rankings.

Originality/value

The survey findings are valuable in that they offer a practical reference for design professionals, by scoring their designs, to comprehend the degree to which various building features and site‐specific factors impact on the ease of constructing their designs.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, vol. 5 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

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Article
Publication date: 19 October 2010

Francis K.W. Wong, Eddie C.M. Hui, Joe T.Y. Wong and Janice K.M. Wan

This paper seeks to examine the contributions of rehabilitation and redevelopment projects to the labour force of the construction industry in Hong Kong. Major projects from the…

1897

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine the contributions of rehabilitation and redevelopment projects to the labour force of the construction industry in Hong Kong. Major projects from the private and public sectors were critically examined and the manpower requirements and the tangible benefits in terms of wages arising from urban renewal were forecast.

Design/methodology/approach

The forecast of the expected persons to be engaged in the construction industry is based on trend regression model. Time series data of construction sites, both private and public, and persons engaged in the past ten years were forecasted for linear trend process for the next three years. From this, a reasonable estimate of man‐days to be engaged and wages to be incurred in the construction industry in the future can be obtained.

Findings

The results provide evidence that the impacts are positive. About 19.4 million man‐days and an income of HK$16.4 billion (3.8 per cent of the nominal GDP of Hong Kong in 2008) are anticipated in the short run. To meet urban regeneration needs, the Government should develop various vocational skills and enhance motivation and job search.

Research limitations/implications

There are potential risks of error arising from the use of assumptions, limited sample size and data from the secondary resources.

Practical implications

Urban renewal works can generate more jobs. The ratio of development projects to rehabilitation works in terms of producing job opportunity by the same amount of budget is about 1 to 4.7. To meet urban regeneration needs, the Government should develop various vocational skills and enhance motivation and job search for renewal works.

Social implications

Urban renewal attracts and stimulates investment, creates employment opportunities and improves the built environment of cities. Also, public rehabilitation works can play a moderate role in stabilizing the economy and the labour market.

Originality/value

The major contributions of this paper are: the estimated labour and financial resources to undertake such renewal works; and the more significant impact of rehabilitation work identified.

Details

Facilities, vol. 28 no. 13/14
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 18 January 2011

Andy K.D. Wong, Francis K.W. Wong and Abid Nadeem

Building information modelling (BIM) is a paradigm shift in the architectural, engineering and construction industries which transforms processes to achieve greater efficiency and…

5656

Abstract

Purpose

Building information modelling (BIM) is a paradigm shift in the architectural, engineering and construction industries which transforms processes to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the implementation of BIM in Hong Kong and the USA and recommend strategies for BIM implementation in Hong Kong.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review of BIM initiatives taken in Hong Kong and the USA was conducted including the government policy, guidelines, standards and implementation status. Findings from the literature review were complemented with insights obtained through focused interviews of experts in the field for arriving at recommendations based on the research. The principal investigator of this research also participated in the establishment of a BIM professional institute as one of the founding board members.

Findings

As a result of studies performed for this paper, guidelines are proposed for BIM implementation in Hong Kong. The role of government in implementing BIM in different phases of a project lifecycle is also highlighted.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited mainly to the initiatives of BIM taken by the public sector (government). The roles of other stakeholders are not specifically studied. Results from this study should be considered in the context of a qualitative research methodology adopted and the limited number of responses obtained for arriving at the findings of this paper.

Practical implications

Results from this study can be used as guidelines for the implementation of BIM elsewhere and this implementation can be compared with other countries.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the best practices of BIM implementation, which is useful for the effective and efficient implementation of BIM in Hong Kong.

Details

Construction Innovation, vol. 11 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-4175

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Article
Publication date: 10 July 2009

Francis K.W. Wong, Albert P.C. Chan, Michael C.H. Yam, Edmond Y.S. Wong, Kenny T.C. Tse, Kendra K.C. Yip and Esther Cheung

Falls continue to be the major cause of fatalities in the Hong Kong construction industry, as well as in other countries. Published statistics of the Labour Department, Hong Kong…

2830

Abstract

Purpose

Falls continue to be the major cause of fatalities in the Hong Kong construction industry, as well as in other countries. Published statistics of the Labour Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) showed that from 2000 to 2004 approximately half of the fatal construction accidents were a result of fall of person from height. In view of this phenomenon, the purpose of this paper is to present the findings and recommendations of a research paper which investigates the problems associated with fall of person from height in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Accident data obtained from the Architectural Services Department, HKSAR, was analysed according to the 14 available factors collectively to derive explanations for common situations and reasons leading to fall accidents.

Findings

The findings of this rigorous analysis are presented to practitioners whose feedback on the findings are recorded by means of a questionnaire survey. The responses from the survey show that “re‐enforced safety training” and “equipments for working at height” are the adoptable methods to enhance the workers' safety performance. The paper shows that “poor safety attitude and behaviour of workers” is the main problem in obstructing the implementation of safety procedures and guidelines for construction sites. In addition, over half the respondents agree that “closer monitoring and supervision” and “higher standard of projects” is observed by public projects when compared to private projects.

Originality/value

The statistics analysed in this paper are limited to public sector projects only. However, the findings are still believed to be valuable for safety practitioners so that they can adopt the necessary measures to prevent fall from height accidents occurring in future projects.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, vol. 7 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

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Article
Publication date: 1 October 2006

Albert P.C. Chan, Francis K.W. Wong and Patrick T.I. Lam

Quality management in construction has received increasing attention in recent years. Numerous studies have been carried out which have highlighted the factors affecting quality…

1982

Abstract

Purpose

Quality management in construction has received increasing attention in recent years. Numerous studies have been carried out which have highlighted the factors affecting quality of construction. Each study has contributed to identifying factors affecting quality. However, there is little published work that comprehensively addresses the factors specifically affecting the quality of Hong Kong public housing, which has long been criticized as having poor quality performance. This paper aims to identify the factors affecting the quality outcomes of public housing projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Potential quality attributes affecting quality performance was identified from the literature. A five‐page questionnaire was then developed to determine how these identified factors affect the quality scores of public housing projects. Factor analysis and multiple regression analysis were used to examine the data obtained from the questionnaire survey.

Findings

Analysis of 54 cases indicated that the project manager's experience in running public housing projects was the most important factor affecting the quality scores. Other important factors include a proactive quality culture; the extent of using direct skilled labour; a comprehensive subcontract inspection system; the competency of site labour, and the client's emphasis on quality, safety and environment.

Research limitations/implications

The empirical results were based locally in Hong Kong, however, the lessons learnt are generally applicable. For future research the methodology adopted can be replicated elsewhere to facilitate international comparison of quality practices.

Originality/value

A predictive model for quality performance has been developed. The findings can assist project managers to better manage public housing projects and achieve higher quality performance.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 23 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

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Article
Publication date: 4 July 2016

Albert P.C Chan, Francis K.W. Wong and Yang Yang

The Hong Kong government agencies launched a “Cooling Vest Promotion Pilot Scheme” across four industries, namely, construction, horticulture and cleaning, airport apron services…

192

Abstract

Purpose

The Hong Kong government agencies launched a “Cooling Vest Promotion Pilot Scheme” across four industries, namely, construction, horticulture and cleaning, airport apron services, and kitchen and catering industries in 2013. A follow-up questionnaire survey regarding this innovative heat stress controlling measure was administered to evaluate its applicability to these industries. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The questionnaire surveys were separately administered to frontline workers and management staff. A total of 232 workers from the four industries participated in the full-scale questionnaire survey (A), which aimed to evaluate the perceived effectiveness of cooling vests, worker satisfaction, and willingness to wear cooling vests. The survey was also geared toward eliciting the comments of the workers regarding logistics-related issues. A total of 100 members of the management staff across the four industries participated in the questionnaire survey (B), which aimed to solicit their feedback about the Pilot Scheme and the logistic arrangements for using cooling vests.

Findings

On the basis of the survey results, a systems model was established. The model revealed that the applicability of cooling vests mainly depends on the perceived benefits (i.e. worker satisfaction) and logistic costs. The results implied that the existing personal cooling vest failed to satisfy the workers’ needs and incurred potential logistic costs, which likely limited the broad application of cooling vests.

Originality/value

The current study employed a systematics thinking approach and provided practical recommendations that could benefit industrial practitioners in the extensive application of an innovative heat stress precautionary measure.

Details

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. 5 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-6099

Keywords

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