Structural Failures Risk Analysis as a Tool Supporting Corporate Responsibility

Abstract

The problem of the structural failures is inextricably linked with the construction industry. A structural failure can be defined as the unintentional, violent destruction of a building object or its part, as well as structural elements of scaffolding, forming elements, sheet piling and excavation linings. Structural failures always entail financial and environmental losses that cause a big problem for companies. The analysis of the structural failures allows to indicate the causes that led to them, but also to introduce actions to help avoid them or decrease their appearance in the future. From the point of view of sustainability risk, human life, corporate responsibility, but also possible financial penalties, it is a very important element of the business process management in an enterprise. In the paper the structural failures occurring in Poland in 2015–2019 were analyzed based on data from the General Office of Building Control (GUNB). They are divided into two categories: caused by random factors and resulting from human error. Failures caused by human error were divided into those related to construction, used material and building operation (exploitation). The structural failures occurring during construction works, e.g., construction, renovation, demolition works, as well as in existing facilities, e.g., during the use of the facility but also in facilities excluded from use, were analyzed. Then, the individual causes of the structural failures were analyzed in terms of repeatability in each category. The risk priority number was calculated for the causes in the group “random events” and nine causes related to “human error”. Actions aimed at reducing the risk of future failures were proposed. The results of the analysis provide conclusions that constitute input data for the improvement of both the processes themselves and the procedures for design, construction and exploitation, or methods and frequency of inspections.