Workplace Safety Climate Surveys for City Center and Cosmopolitan Construction Projects, Las Vegas, Nevada (Final Report)
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Las Vegas Projects - Assessment and Audit
The following are links to all of the items in this collection:
Documents
- Fall Hazard Identification and Control Audit of the Aria Building, City Center Project, Las Vegas Nevada
- Fall Hazard Identification and Control Audit of the Mandarin Building, City Center Project, Las Vegas Nevada
- Worksite Assessment Team Site Visit Report for City Center and Cosmopolitan Construction Projects, Las Vegas Nevada
- Workplace Safety Climate Surveys for City Center and Cosmopolitan Construction Projects, Las Vegas, Nevada (Final Report)
Summary Statement
The worksite assessment was conducted in response to work-related fatalities. The primary purpose of the visit was to better understand safety management and programs used by general contractor at both the City Center and Cosmopolitan construction projects and to provide constructive feedback to improve safety and health on these projects. During the site visit, an average of 7,200 employees (day shift) in multiple crafts worked at the site. Part of a collection. Click on the 'collection' button to access the other items.
January 2009
Acknowledgments
Detailed contents of the Final Report
A. Introduction
B. Methods
C. Results
Appendices
References
2. Foreman
2-1. Descriptive Analysis
2-1-a. Demographics
A total of 134 Foremen completed the safety climate survey. Forty percent (n=53) work on the City Center site and 25% (n=33) work on the Cosmopolitan site. Figure 18 shows the distribution of foremen by age. The average age of foremen on the two sites is 41 years of age. Foremen ranged in age from 23 to 61 years. All of the foremen completing the survey were employees of Perini.
Figure 18. Distribution of Construction Foremen by Age
Figure 19 below shows the distribution of foremen by trade. Sixty percent of the foremen who completed the survey are carpenters, 26% are laborers, followed by (6%) cement masons, and (4%) operating engineers.
Figure 19. Distribution of Construction Foremen by Trade
Figure 20 shows the self-reported racial distribution of the foremen on site is as follows: Half the foremen are Caucasian (52%), followed by Hispanics (34%), Native American (2%), Asian (2%) and African American (1%).
Figure 20. Distribution of Construction Foremen by Race / Ethnicity
Figure 21 shows 43% of those completing the survey were General Foremen and 55% were classified as foremen.
Figure 21. Distribution of Construction Foremen by Work Status
Figure 22 below shows the average number of months worked on the job by Perini foremen is 15 ranging from 1 to 39 months.
Figure 22. Months Worked at City Center or Cosmopolitan Projects by Foremen
Figure 23 shows that the majority of General Foremen and Foremen had over ten years of experience in construction (86%).
Figure 23. Distribution of Years Worked in the Construction Industry by Foremen
2-1-b. Item-Specific Responses
Table 3 describes the frequency of responses for each category of the 6 point likert scale for each of the climate survey questions answered by Foremen. Selected highlights are presented at the end of Table 3.
Table 3. Item-Specific Responses to Safety Climate Survey Questions – Foremen Responses
Questions |
Strongly Disagree |
Disagree |
Somewhat Disagree |
Somewhat Agree |
Agree |
Strongly Agree |
Missing |
Mean |
1. Safety is visible on this job – for example, I have seen safety personnel or site supervisors or site managers doing daily safety checks |
0 (0%) |
1 (1%) |
3 (2%) |
9 (7%) |
59 (44%) |
61 (46%) |
1 (1%) |
5.32 ± 0.76 |
2. Perini thinks that job site safety is more important than schedules or deadlines |
0 (0%) |
4 (3%) |
3 (2%) |
13 (10%) |
58 (43%) |
55 (41%) |
1 (1%) |
5.18 ± 0.92 |
3. Perini safety personnel step in to stop unsafe operations |
1 (1%) |
4 (3%) |
2 (1%) |
9 (7%) |
50 (37%) |
67 (50%) |
1 (1%) |
5.29 ± 0.97 |
4. The Perini safety staff follows up when there is a problem – it gets fixed right away and stays that way |
1 (1%) |
1 (1%) |
6 (4%) |
19 (14%) |
61 (46%) |
45 (34%) |
1 (1%) |
5.05 ± 0.92 |
5. Perini's safety program works well together with other subcontractor safety programs – it is clear to me who is responsible for what |
2 (1%) |
5 (4%) |
6 (4%) |
21 (16%) |
63 (47%) |
37 (28%) |
0 (0%) |
4.86 ± 1.09 |
6. Perini believes that schedule in the most important issue on this project |
17 (13%) |
35 (26%) |
21 (16%) |
24 (18%) |
25 (19%) |
10 (7%) |
2 (1%) |
3.27 ± 1.53 |
7. Perini encourages employees to talk about near misses (close calls) that occurred at work |
1 (1%) |
6 (4%) |
9 (7%) |
14 (10%) |
67 (50%) |
35 (26%) |
2 (1%) |
4.86 ± 1.08 |
8. Perini cares for my safety on this site |
1 (1%) |
1 (1%) |
1 (1%) |
2 (1%) |
51 (38%) |
78 (58%) |
0 (0%) |
5.50 ± 0.75 |
9. Perini policy encourages the reporting of work-related injuries and illnesses |
1 (1%) |
1 (1%) |
0 (0%) |
2 (1%) |
54 (40%) |
74 (55%) |
2 (1%) |
5.49 ± 0.73 |
10. Perini regularly assesses the use of Personal Protective Equipment |
0 (0%) |
1 (1%) |
0 (0%) |
4 (3%) |
70 (52%) |
59 (44%) |
0 (0%) |
5.39 ± 0.62 |
11. Perini encourages communication of safety concerns between workers and management |
1 (1%) |
3 (2%) |
2 (1%) |
8 (6%) |
46 (34%) |
73 (54%) |
1 (1%) |
5.36 ± 0.93 |
12. Perini disciplines workers who do not follow safety procedures |
1 (1%) |
1 (1%) |
3 (2%) |
15 (11%) |
58 (43%) |
54 (40%) |
2 (1%) |
5.20 ± 0.88 |
13. Productivity is more important than safety to Perini |
34 (25%) |
55 (41%) |
20 (15%) |
10 (7%) |
8 (6%) |
5 (4%) |
2 (1%) |
2.38 ± 1.32 |
14. The General Contractor (Perini) gives employees positive feedback when they demonstrate good safety practices |
1 (1%) |
5 (4%) |
3 (2%) |
34 (25%) |
57 (43%) |
34 (25%) |
0 (0%) |
4.81 ± 1.01 |
15. Safety is important to my employer – he or she mentions it often when talking to me |
0 (0%) |
1 (1%) |
1 (1%) |
5 (4%) |
68 (51%) |
59 (44%) |
0 (0%) |
5.37 ± 0.67 |
16. My employer makes sure I have the safety knowledge needed for the hazards we face on this job |
1 (1%) |
2 (1%) |
0 (0%) |
4 (3%) |
66 (49%) |
61 (46%) |
0 (0%) |
5.35 ± 0.79 |
17. My employer makes sure we follow site safety rules and procedures very closely |
1 (1%) |
1 (1%) |
0 (0%) |
6 (4%) |
62 (46%) |
63 (47%) |
1 (1%) |
5.38 ± 0.75 |
18. My employer wants us to inform him/her of any safety problems so they can get them fixed or reported to others |
0 (0%) |
4 (3%) |
0 (0%) |
2 (1%) |
53 (40%) |
75 (56%) |
0 (0%) |
5.46 ± 0.80 |
19. If my employer is unsure of a safety question, he or she always calls in a safety specialist |
0 (0%) |
3 (2%) |
5 (4%) |
14 (10%) |
74 (55%) |
32 (24%) |
6 (4%) |
4.99 ± 0.86 |
20. My employer thinks that safety is more important than productivity |
2 (1%) |
4 (3%) |
4 (3%) |
13 (10%) |
61 (46%) |
44 (33%) |
6 (4%) |
5.02 ± 1.05 |
21. My employer thinks that productivity is more important than safety |
32 (24%) |
54 (40%) |
13 (10%) |
9 (7%) |
13 (10%) |
4 (3%) |
9 (7%) |
2.43 ± 1.39 |
22. My employer's safety program works well together with other subcontractor's safety programs |
0 (0%) |
11 (8%) |
9 (7%) |
13 (10%) |
66 (49%) |
29 (22%) |
6 (4%) |
4.73 ± 1.15 |
23. My employer supports me if I stop work because working conditions are unsafe, even if we have a deadline |
0 (0%) |
4 (3%) |
2 (1%) |
9 (7%) |
67 (50%) |
48 (36%) |
4 (3%) |
5.18 ± 0.87 |
24. My employer informs me of changing safety conditions on this job site |
0 (0%) |
1 (1%) |
2 (1%) |
16 (12%) |
63 (47%) |
46 (34%) |
6 (4%) |
5.18 ± 0.77 |
25. My employer gives me the responsibility I need to allow my crew to work safely |
0 (0%) |
1 (1%) |
2 (1%) |
3 (2%) |
65 (49%) |
59 (44%) |
4 (3%) |
5.38 ± 0.69 |
26. My crew works too many hours per week on this job |
40 (30%) |
64 (48%) |
7 (5%) |
10 (7%) |
7 (5%) |
1 (1%) |
5 (4%) |
2.09 ± 1.13 |
27. Fatigue is an issue for my workers – they have made mistakes on the job because they were tired |
36 (27%) |
60 (45%) |
9 (7%) |
13 (10%) |
6 (4%) |
1 (1%) |
9 (7%) |
2.17 ± 1.15 |
28. Doing the work safely on this job has definite priority over getting it done on schedule |
5 (4%) |
10 (7%) |
7 (5%) |
14 (10%) |
62 (46%) |
30 (22%) |
6 (4%) |
4.63 ± 1.33 |
29. Sometimes I don't report a hazard because there isn't time to stop work, or the work task is of too short a duration, so we work around the hazard |
57 (43%) |
52 (39%) |
4 (3%) |
10 (7%) |
2 (1%) |
3 (2%) |
6 (4%) |
1.88 ± 1.14 |
30. Sometimes the crew can't do the job safely because other trades are in our way |
31 (23%) |
43 (32%) |
10 (7%) |
18 (13%) |
14 (10%) |
10 (7%) |
8 (6%) |
2.77 ± 1.61 |
31. There is always enough personal protective equipment available to allow work to be done safely |
3 (2%) |
3 (2%) |
6 (4%) |
7 (5%) |
59 (44%) |
51 (38%) |
5 (4%) |
5.09 ± 1.10 |
32. The workers in my crew have received enough training to do the work safely |
1 (1%) |
2 (1%) |
6 (4%) |
16 (12%) |
64 (48%) |
40 (30%) |
5 (4%) |
5.02 ± 0.94 |
33. We always get enough site-specific information about a job to do it safely |
0 (0%) |
2 (1%) |
4 (3%) |
14 (10%) |
74 (55%) |
34 (25%) |
6 (4%) |
5.05 ± 0.80 |
34. My workers know what their safety responsibilities are at work |
0 (0%) |
1 (1%) |
1 (1%) |
8 (6%) |
72 (54%) |
47 (35%) |
5 (4%) |
5.26 ± 0.68 |
35. Sometimes I have to ignore a safety rule or policy in order to carry out an assignment to meet the schedule |
50 (37%) |
53 (40%) |
1 (1%) |
17 (13%) |
4 (3%) |
4 (3%) |
5 (4%) |
2.10 ± 1.30 |
36. The workers on my crew always report safety hazards that they see |
2 (1%) |
2 (1%) |
11 (8%) |
22 (16%) |
58 (43%) |
34 (25%) |
5 (4%) |
4.81 ± 1.07 |
37. The workers on my crew know who to report a hazard to when they see one on the job |
0 (0%) |
1 (1%) |
0 (0%) |
15 (11%) |
65 (49%) |
48 (36%) |
5 (4%) |
5.23 ± 0.71 |
38. The workers on my crew assist others to make sure they perform their work safely |
0 (0%) |
2 (1%) |
1 (1%) |
13 (10%) |
75 (56%) |
38 (28%) |
5 (4%) |
5.13 ± 0.74 |
39. Toolbox talks about safety are given regularly |
0 (0%) |
2 (1%) |
1 (1%) |
7 (5%) |
60 (45%) |
59 (44%) |
5 (4%) |
5.34 ± 0.76 |
40. Toolbox talks are helpful to my workers |
0 (0%) |
2 (1%) |
1 (1%) |
10 (7%) |
60 (45%) |
56 (42%) |
5 (4%) |
5.29 ± 0.77 |
41. Other workers care about my safety, and I care about theirs |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
10 (7%) |
51 (38%) |
65 (49%) |
8 (6%) |
5.44 ± 0.64 |
42. I believe that safety committees for the project would be very beneficial |
1 (1%) |
2 (1%) |
5 (4%) |
25 (19%) |
47 (35%) |
48 (36%) |
6 (4%) |
5.02 ± 1.00 |
43. I'm confident neither my crew members nor I will suffer a lost-time injury on the job here |
3 (2%) |
5 (4%) |
5 (4%) |
28 (21%) |
54 (40%) |
30 (22%) |
9 (7%) |
4.72 ± 1.14 |
44. Media attention has portrayed safety on the site accurately |
47 (35%) |
26 (19%) |
14 (10%) |
8 (6%) |
22 (16%) |
9 (7%) |
8 (6%) |
2.67 ± 1.74 |
Selected "Positive" Findings- Foremen Responses
- 99% of foremen agree that Perini regularly assesses the use of Personal Protective Equipment
- 99% of foremen agree that safety is important to their employer – their employer mentions it often when talking to them
- 98% of foremen agree their employer makes sure they have the safety knowledge needed for the hazards they face on this job
- 97% of foremen agree safety is visible on this job – for example, they have seen safety personnel or site supervisors or site managers doing daily safety checks
- 97% of foremen agree that Perini cares for their safety on this site
- 97% of foremen agree their employer makes sure they follow site safety rules and procedures very closely
- 97% of foremen agree their employer wants them to inform him/her of any safety problems so they can get them fixed or reported to others
- 96% of foremen agree that Perini policy encourages the reporting of work-related injuries and illnesses
- 96% of foremen agree that the workers on their crew know who to report a hazard to when they see one on the job
- 95% of foremen agree that their employer gives them the responsibility they need to allow their crew to work safely
- 95% of foremen agree their workers know what their safety responsibilities are at work
Selected "Negative" Findings – Foremen Responses
- 85% of foremen disagree that sometimes they don't report a hazard because there isn't time to stop work, or the work task is of too short a duration, so they work around the hazard (10% agree)
- 83% of foremen disagree that their crew works too many hours per week on this job (13% agree)
- 81% of foremen disagree that productivity is more important than safety to Perini (17% agree)
- 79% of foremen disagree that fatigue is an issue for their workers – they have made mistakes on the job because they were tired (15% agree)
- 78% of foremen disagree that sometimes they have to ignore a safety rule or policy in order to carry out an assignment to meet the schedule (19% agree)
- 74% of foremen disagree that their employer thinks that productivity is more important than safety (20% agree)
- 64% of foremen disagree that media attention has portrayed safety on the site accurately (29% agree)
- 62% of foremen disagree that sometimes the crew can't do the job safely because other trades are in their way (30% agree)
- 55% of foremen disagree that Perini believes that schedule is the most important issue on this project (44% agree)
- 16% of foremen disagree that doing the work safely on this job has definite priority over getting it done on schedule (78% agree)
2-2. Psychometric Analysis
2-2-a. Factors and Corresponding Survey Items for the Foremen Survey
Based on a series of factor analyses, parallel analyses, and item analyses, 15 factors were identified for the foremen survey. Factors and the correspondent survey items of each factor, and descriptive statistics (alpha coefficient, possible range, observed range, mean, standard deviation, and number of respondents) are reported in Table 4. See Appendix 3 for definitions of the 15 factors.
Table 4. Factors and Corresponding Survey Items for the Foreman Survey
Factors with corresponding survey items |
Alpha |
PR |
OR |
Mean |
SD |
N |
Perini Safety Climate |
.89 |
17-102 |
39-102 |
87.8 |
9.3 |
134 |
Safety is visible on this job – for example, I have seen safety personnel or site supervisors or site managers doing daily safety checks |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perini thinks that job site safety is more important than schedules or deadlines |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perini safety personnel step in to stop unsafe operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Perini safety staff follows up when there is a problem – it gets fixed right away and stays that way |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perini cares for my safety on this site |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Safety is important to my employer – he or she mentions it often when talking to me |
|
|
|
|
|
|
My employer thinks that productivity is more important than safety |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perini regularly assesses the use of Personal Protective Equipment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perini encourages communication of safety concerns between workers and management |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perini disciplines workers who do not follow safety procedures |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Productivity is more important than safety to Perini |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The General Contractor (Perini) gives employees positive feedback when they demonstrate good safety practices |
|
|
|
|
|
|
My employer supports me if I stop work because working conditions are unsafe, even if we have a deadline |
|
|
|
|
|
|
My employer informs me of changing safety conditions on this job site |
|
|
|
|
|
|
My employer gives me the responsibility I need to allow my crew to work safely |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perini encourages employees to talk about near misses (close calls) that occurred at work |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perini policy encourages the reporting of work-related injuries and illnesses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Factors with corresponding survey items |
Alpha |
PR |
OR |
Mean |
SD |
N |
Employer Safety Management |
.82 |
5-30 |
10-30 |
26.2 |
3.3 |
130 |
My employer makes sure I have the safety knowledge needed for the hazards we face on this job |
|
|
|
|
|
|
My employer makes sure we follow site safety rules and procedures very closely |
|
|
|
|
|
|
My employer wants us to inform him/her of any safety problems so they can get them fixed or reported to others |
|
|
|
|
|
|
If my employer is unsure of a safety question, he or she always calls in a safety specialist |
|
|
|
|
|
|
My employer thinks that safety is more important than productivity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Safety Behaviors |
.66 |
3-18 |
8-18 |
15.2 |
2.0 |
129 |
The workers on my crew always report safety hazards that they see |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The workers on my crew know who to report a hazard to when they see one on the job |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The workers on my crew assist others to make sure they perform their work safely |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Safety Practices |
.73 |
5-30 |
16-30 |
25.8 |
3.0 |
129 |
There is always enough personal protective equipment available to allow work to be done safely |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The workers in my crew have received enough training to do the work safely |
|
|
|
|
|
|
We always get enough site-specific information about a job to do it safely |
|
|
|
|
|
|
My workers know what their safety responsibilities are at work |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Toolbox talks about safety are given regularly |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fatigue |
.68 |
2-10 |
2-12 |
4.3 |
2.0 |
125 |
My crew works too many hours per week on this job |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fatigue is an issue for my workers – they have made mistakes on the job because they were tired |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Factors with corresponding survey items |
Alpha |
PR |
OR |
Mean |
SD |
N |
Unsafe work due to time pressure |
.45 |
2-12 |
2-12 |
4.0 |
2.0 |
128 |
Sometimes I don't report a hazard because there isn't time to stop work, or the work task is of too short a duration, so we work around the hazard |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sometimes I have to ignore a safety rule or policy in order to carry out an assignment to meet the schedule |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perini Safety Program |
.73 |
2-12 |
3-12 |
9.7 |
1.9 |
128 |
Perini's safety program works well together with other subcontractor safety programs – it is clear to me who is responsible for what |
|
|
|
|
|
|
My employer's safety program works well together with other subcontractor's safety programs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Importance of Scheduling |
N/A |
1-6 |
1-6 |
3.3 |
1.5 |
132 |
Perini believes that schedule in the most important issue on this project |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Safety Priority |
N/A |
1-6 |
1-6 |
4.6 |
1.3 |
128 |
Doing the work safely on this job has definite priority over getting it done on schedule |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Situational Constraints Caused by Other Trades |
N/A |
1-6 |
1-6 |
2.8 |
1.6 |
126 |
Sometimes the crew can't do the job safely because other trades are in our way |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Toolbox Talks Evaluation |
N/A |
1-6 |
2-6 |
5.3 |
0.8 |
129 |
Toolbox talks are helpful to my workers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Concern for Others |
N/A |
1-6 |
4-6 |
5.4 |
0.6 |
126 |
Other workers care about my safety, and I care about theirs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perceived Need for Safety Committee |
N/A |
1-6 |
1-6 |
5.0 |
1.0 |
128 |
I believe that safety committees for the project would be very beneficial |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Injury Risk Perception |
N/A |
1-6 |
1-6 |
2.3 |
1.1 |
125 |
I'm confident neither my crew members |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Factors with corresponding survey items |
Alpha |
PR |
OR |
Mean |
SD |
N |
Media Coverage |
N/A |
1-6 |
1-6 |
2.7 |
1.7 |
126 |
Media attention has portrayed safety on the |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note. Alpha = alpha coefficient, which is computed only for Factors consisting of 2 or more items. It ranges from 0 to 1, with values closer to 1 indicating that the set of items measures well a single Factor. PR = possible range of scores. OR = observed range of scores. Mean = an arithmetic average of the sum of the individual responses to the set of items for each Factor based on the survey respondents. SD = standard deviation, which is a measure of how widely the respondents' scores differ from the mean score. The larger the standard deviation, the more spread are the respondents' scores. N = number of respondents who provide valid responses for each factor. N may differ across factors due to missing responses.
Summary of Table 4.Overall, alpha coefficients were satisfactory, ranging from 0.66 to 0.89. The exception was unsafe work due to time pressure, which showed a low coefficient of alpha (i.e., 0.45). This indicated that foremen did not consistently respond to the two items comprising this scale. Both possible range of scores and observed range of scores were similar for most of the factors, indicating no or little evidence of range restriction. However, safety practices and concern for others exhibited narrower observed range of scores than the possible range of scores. In other words, responses on these two factors were significantly skewed in a positive direction.
2-2-b. Mean Comparisons within the Foremen Survey
Mean comparisons of each of the 15 factors were conducted based on the following background characteristics: (1) three trades (carpenter, laborer, and cement mason), (2) months worked on the job site (less than 3-month vs. greater or equal to 3 months), (3) job site (City Center vs. Cosmopolitan), (4) work status (foremen vs. general foremen), and (5) years worked in the construction industry (less than 19 years vs. greater or equal to 19 years). No significant mean differences were found for the 15 factors based on months worked on the job site and years worked in construction. The remaining significant results based on job site are depicted in Figures 24a – 24c. Selected highlights are presented following these figures. Mean comparisons based on Months on the job, and years worked in construction were not significant. Therefore, no figures were provided in this report.
2-2-b1. Mean Comparisons based on Job Site (City Center vs. Cosmopolitan)
Figure 24a. Perini Safety Climate
Figure 24b. Perini Safety Program
Figure 24c. Safety Behaviors
Summary of Key Findings Based Comparisons Between City Center vs. Cosmopolitan (Figures 24a-24c).
Compared to foremen in Cosmopolitan, foremen at City Center
- reported more positive Perini safety climate.
- reported more positive Perini safety program.
- reported more crews' safety behaviors.
One key finding pertaining to Perini is related to mean differences across job sites. In contrast to foremen in Cosmopolitan, foremen in City Center reported more positive Perini safety climate, Perini safety program, and crews' safety behaviors. The current findings suggest a pattern of discrepancies in the perceptions and experiences about safety for foremen and workers at the two job sites, and an additional analysis was conducted.
