Multiple configurational effects and analyses on construction workers' unsafe behaviors: a qualitative approach of fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis.

Abstract

Objectives: Unsafe behaviors among construction workers are a leading cause of site accidents and injuries. While previous research has examined these behaviors in isolation, the complex causal mechanisms underlying their occurrence remain insufficiently explored. This study introduces a conceptual model that captures the multiple configurational impacts of individual, organizational and environmental factors contributing to unsafe behaviors.

Methods: Drawing on empirical data from 40 construction accident case studies, the research employs fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to examine the impact of different combinations of factors on behavioral outcomes.

Results and conclusions: The results reveal two key insights: no single factor is a necessary condition for unsafe behaviors - instead, six sub-conditions (e.g., physical condition, psychological condition, personal traits, organizational management, workplace design and physical environment) interact in various configurations to precipitate unsafe actions; and (b) unsafe behaviors emerge from the synergistic interplay of these factors, illustrating a 'multiple paths to the same outcome' pattern and demonstrating causal asymmetry. The identified causal pathways offer practical implications for improving construction safety management by enhancing understanding of the multi-dimensional drivers of unsafe behaviors.