Investigation of factors affecting occupational health and safety performance at construction sites by relative importance index method

The main purpose of this thesis is to determine the factors and calculate their relative effects on the occupational health and safety performance in construction sites. In this context, existing studies directly related to the research subject were examined in detail and presented in chronological order. The results of the literature findings were reviewed after face-to-face interviews with 18 experts who are very experienced in the field of occupational health and safety at construction sites and 120 observable factors under 15 groups affecting the health and safety performance of construction sites have been identified. A survey was conducted for the analysis of the relative importances of the occupational health and safety performance factors of construction sites in construction industry. According to the survey results, the relative importances of these safety performance factors were quantified by the relative importance index method. The ranking of the factors and groups were demonstrated according to their importance level on safety performance. Finally, the factors and groups contributing the most to safety performance were discussed, and some recommendations for construction safety professionals are provided to improve the safety performance of construction sites.