Health and Safety for Infrastructure Projects: PPE Adaptation and Barriers

Abstract

The construction industry is a dynamic and revolutionary industry that come up with projects in terms of infrastructure and buildings. It has been facing with safety challenges in every project. The statistic shows that the increases in fatality cases and permanent disablement cases due to accidents at Malaysian construction sites are one of the highest compares to other industries. On top of that, as the COVID-19 pandemic challenge rises globally, safety measures need to be taken in construction projects by implementing personal protective equipment (PPE) to avoid the transmission of the COVID-19. This study examines the safety management and hazard in infrastructure projects through PPE and investigates the effect of COVID 19 on the construction industry. The safety factors and barriers for PPE adaptation about safety encountered were identified through the literature review, then a questionnaire survey was carried out at different companies. Finally, to avoid the transmission of the COVID-19 at the construction sites, this study comes out with practical recommendations and safety measures towards the importance of the application of PPE in infrastructure projects.