Identifying popular unsafe behaviors in construction sites in Vietnam

Abstract

This study identifies unsafe behaviors on construction sites in Vietnam, ranks them by intervention priority, and proposes management measures to improve control of these behaviors. Data were collected across multiple sites using a structured questionnaire, content analysis of safety records, and semi-structured interviews. Nineteen prevalent behaviors were measured on two 5-point scales—frequency and consequence. Using the Relative Importance Index (RII), we computed a priority score for each behavior and assessed robustness via clustered bootstrap at the site level, Spearman correlations, and OLS regression with cluster-robust standard errors; we also conducted an Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA) for management strategies. Results indicate the highest-priority behaviors are: lack of fall protection/non-rated anchorage, non-use/misuse of personal protective equipment (PPE), absence of closed-loop signaling/spotters, unsafe vehicle operations, and improper manual handling. At the management-system level, a strong safety culture is associated with lower behavior frequency, whereas long working hours and hot microclimates are associated with higher frequency; permit-to-work (PTW/LOTO) requirements and engineering controls contribute to reductions in unsafe behaviors. IPA shows that PPE and engineering measures are relatively well implemented, while PTW, closed-loop signaling, and digitalization exhibit notable execution gaps. We recommend targeted interventions on the five priority behaviors, alongside system-level upgrades in safety culture, stricter PTW, strengthened engineering controls, practical digital tools, and smart work-environment design—shifting safety management from incident counting to proactive, mechanism-based prevention.