Workplace Safety Climate Surveys for City Center and Cosmopolitan Construction Projects, Las Vegas, Nevada (Final Report)
-
Las Vegas Projects - Assessment and Audit
The following are links to all of the items in this collection:
Documents
- Fall Hazard Identification and Control Audit of the Aria Building, City Center Project, Las Vegas Nevada
- Fall Hazard Identification and Control Audit of the Mandarin Building, City Center Project, Las Vegas Nevada
- Worksite Assessment Team Site Visit Report for City Center and Cosmopolitan Construction Projects, Las Vegas Nevada
- Workplace Safety Climate Surveys for City Center and Cosmopolitan Construction Projects, Las Vegas, Nevada (Final Report)
Summary Statement
The worksite assessment was conducted in response to work-related fatalities. The primary purpose of the visit was to better understand safety management and programs used by general contractor at both the City Center and Cosmopolitan construction projects and to provide constructive feedback to improve safety and health on these projects. During the site visit, an average of 7,200 employees (day shift) in multiple crafts worked at the site. Part of a collection. Click on the 'collection' button to access the other items.
January 2009
Acknowledgments
Detailed contents of the Final Report
A. Introduction
B. Methods
C. Results
Appendices
References
3. Superintendents
3-1. Descriptive Analysis
3-1-a. Demographics
Figure 25 shows the age distribution of Superintendents. All 61 Superintendents who completed the survey worked on the City Center site (all hired by Perini –data was missing on employer for 2 superintendents). The average age of Superintendents at City Center was 48 years of age. Superintendents ranged in age from 34 to 64 years of age.
Figure 25. Distribution of Construction Superintendents by Age
Figure 26 shows the race/ethnicity distribution of Superintendents. Nearly two thirds of the Superintendents (including Assistant Superintendents) are Caucasian (72%) followed by Hispanics (5%) and Native Americans (5%).
Figure 26. Distribution of Construction Superintendents by Race / Ethnicity
Figure 27 shows the work status of Superintendents on the sites. There were 43 Superintendents and 12 Assistant Superintendents who completed the safety climate survey.
Figure 27. Distribution of Construction Superintendents by Work Status
Figure 28 shows the distribution of Superintendents based on months worked on the job site. Most of the Superintendents have worked more than three months on either City Center site (59%). Roughly a third had been on site less than three months. All of the Superintendents have worked 10+ years in construction.
Figure 28. Months Worked at City Center or Cosmopolitan Projects by Superintendents
3-1-b. Item-Specific Responses
Table 5 describes the frequency of responses for each category of the 6 point likert scale for each of the climate survey questions answered by Superintendents. Selected highlights are presented at the end of Table 5.
Table 5. Item-Specific Responses to Safety Climate Survey Questions – Superintendent Responses
Questions |
Strongly Disagree |
Disagree |
Somewhat Disagree |
Somewhat Agree |
Agree |
Strongly Agree |
Missing |
Mean |
1. MGM thinks that job site safety is more important than job schedules and deadlines |
1 (2%) |
3 (5%) |
4 (7%) |
9 (15%) |
29 (48%) |
13 (21%) |
2 (3%) |
4.71 ± 1.15 |
2. MGM has a management structure that encourages exchange of information about safety on the job |
0 (0%) |
2 (3%) |
1 (2%) |
11 (18%) |
34 (56%) |
11 (18%) |
2 (3%) |
4.86 ± 0.86 |
3. MGM communicates a commitment to safety throughout this project |
0 (0%) |
1 (2%) |
3 (5%) |
14 (23%) |
31 (51%) |
10 (16%) |
2 (3%) |
4.78 ± 0.85 |
4. Safety is visible on this job – for example, I have seen safety personnel or site supervisors or site managers doing daily safety checks |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
4 (7%) |
18 (30%) |
38 (62%) |
1 (2%) |
5.57 ± 0.62 |
5. Perini thinks that job site safety is more important than schedules or deadlines |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
4 (7%) |
24 (39%) |
31 (51%) |
2 (3%) |
5.46 ± 0.62 |
6. Perini safety personnel step in to stop unsafe operations |
1 (2%) |
0 (0%) |
1 (2%) |
0 (0%) |
23 (38%) |
34 (56%) |
2 (3%) |
5.47 ± 0.84 |
7. The Perini safety staff follows up when there is a problem – it gets fixed right away and stays that way |
1 (2%) |
0 (0%) |
2 (3%) |
3 (5%) |
25 (41%) |
29 (48%) |
1 (2%) |
5.30 ± 0.93 |
8. Perini's safety program works well together with other subcontractor safety programs – it is clear to me who is responsible for what |
1 (2%) |
0 (0%) |
2 (3%) |
8 (13%) |
28 (46%) |
20 (33%) |
2 (3%) |
5.07 ± 0.94 |
9. Perini encourages employees to talk about near misses (close calls) that occurred at work |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
6 (10%) |
22 (36%) |
32 (52%) |
1 (2%) |
5.43 ± 0.67 |
10. Perini policy encourages the reporting of work-related injuries or illnesses |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
1 (2%) |
5 (8%) |
23 (38%) |
31 (51%) |
1 (2%) |
5.40 ± 0.72 |
11. Perini regularly assesses the use of Personal Protective Equipment |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
1 (2%) |
19 (31%) |
40 (66%) |
1 (2%) |
5.65 ± 0.52 |
12. Perini encourages communication of safety concerns between workers and management |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
1 (2%) |
3 (5%) |
19 (31%) |
37 (61%) |
1 (2%) |
5.53 ± 0.68 |
13. Perini disciplines workers who do not follow safety procedures |
1 (2%) |
0 (0%) |
1 (2%) |
2 (3%) |
20 (33%) |
36 (59%) |
1 (2%) |
5.47 ± 0.87 |
14. Perini considers safety performance in pre-qualifying its subcontractors |
1 (2%) |
0 (0%) |
2 (3%) |
9 (15%) |
18 (30%) |
26 (43%) |
5 (8%) |
5.16 ± 1.02 |
15. Perini believes that productivity is more important than safety |
31 (51%) |
17 (28%) |
3 (5%) |
2 (3%) |
3 (5%) |
2 (3%) |
3 (5%) |
1.88 ± 1.33 |
16. The General Contractor (Perini) gives employees positive feedback when they demonstrate good safety practices |
2 (3%) |
1 (2%) |
1 (2%) |
7 (11%) |
28 (46%) |
20 (33%) |
2 (3%) |
5.00 ± 1.11 |
17. Perini always includes safety in the job planning process |
0 (0%) |
1 (2%) |
1 (2%) |
2 (3%) |
24 (39%) |
32 (52%) |
1 (2%) |
5.42 ± 1.79 |
18. Safety is important to my employer – he or she wants me to mention it often when talking with my staff |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
23 (38%) |
37 (61%) |
1 (2%) |
5.62 ± 0.49 |
19. My employer makes sure all management personnel have the safety knowledge needed for the hazards we face on this job |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
1 (2%) |
7 (11%) |
22 (36%) |
30 (49%) |
1 (2%) |
5.35 ± 0.76 |
20. My employer makes sure we follow site safety rules and procedures very closely |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
3 (5%) |
21 (34%) |
36 (59%) |
1 (2%) |
5.55 ± 0.59 |
21. I inform my employer of any safety problems on the jobsite |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
1 (2%) |
22 (36%) |
37 (61%) |
1 (2%) |
5.60 ± 0.53 |
22. My employer thinks that safety is more important than productivity |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
3 (5%) |
6 (10%) |
19 (31%) |
31 (51%) |
2 (3%) |
5.32 ± 0.86 |
23. My safety program works well together with other subcontractor's safety programs |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
2 (3%) |
7 (11%) |
27 (44%) |
24 (39%) |
1 (2%) |
5.22 ± 0.78 |
24. My employer supports me if I stop work because working conditions are unsafe |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
2 (3%) |
19 (31%) |
38 (62%) |
2 (3%) |
5.61 ± 0.56 |
25. My employer gives me the responsibility I need to allow my crew to work safely |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
1 (2%) |
19 (31%) |
38 (62%) |
3 (5%) |
5.64 ± 0.52 |
26. Fatigue is an issue for my workers – they have made mistakes on the job because they were tired |
8 (13%) |
17 (28%) |
5 (8%) |
15 (25%) |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
4 (7%) |
3.11 ± 1.41 |
27. Doing the work safely on this job has definite priority over getting it done on schedule |
0 (0%) |
3 (5%) |
1 (2%) |
10 (16%) |
22 (36%) |
24 (39%) |
1 (2%) |
5.05 ± 1.05 |
28. Sometimes the crew can't do the job safely because other trades are in our way |
16 (26%) |
20 (33%) |
6 (10%) |
4 (7%) |
9 (15%) |
4 (7%) |
2 (3%) |
2.69 ± 1.63 |
29. There is always enough personal protective equipment available to allow work to be done safely |
1 (2%) |
0 (0%) |
3 (5%) |
2 (3%) |
24 (39%) |
30 (49%) |
1 (2%) |
5.30 ± 0.96 |
30. My workers have received enough training to do the work safely |
1 (2%) |
1 (2%) |
1 (2%) |
5 (8%) |
39 (64%) |
12 (20%) |
2 (3%) |
4.97 ± 0.89 |
31. I always make sure workers get enough site-specific information about a job to do it safely |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
1 (2%) |
7 (11%) |
27 (44%) |
25 (41%) |
1 (2%) |
5.27 ± 0.73 |
32. My workers know what their safety responsibilities are at work |
0 (0%) |
2 (3%) |
0 (0%) |
5 (8%) |
29 (48%) |
24 (39%) |
1 (2%) |
5.22 ± 0.87 |
33. Sometimes workers have to ignore a safety rule or policy in order to carry out an assignment to meet the schedule |
31 (51%) |
20 (33%) |
3 (5%) |
0 (0%) |
3 (5%) |
1 (2%) |
3 (5%) |
1.74 ± 1.13 |
34. My workers always report safety hazards that they see |
0 (0%) |
2 (3%) |
3 (5%) |
19 (31%) |
24 (39%) |
11 (18%) |
2 (3%) |
4.66 ± 0.96 |
35. My workers know who to report a hazard to when they see one on the job |
0 (0%) |
1 (2%) |
0 (0%) |
7 (11%) |
28 (46%) |
23 (38%) |
2 (3%) |
5.22 ± 0.79 |
36. Workers assist others to make sure they perform their work safely |
0 (0%) |
1 (2%) |
1 (2%) |
14 (23%) |
30 (49%) |
13 (21%) |
2 (3%) |
4.90 ± 0.82 |
37. Toolbox talks about safety are given regularly |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
2 (3%) |
2 (3%) |
23 (38%) |
32 (52%) |
2 (3%) |
5.44 ± 0.73 |
38. Toolbox talks are helpful to my workers |
0 (0%) |
0 (0%) |
1 (2%) |
6 (10%) |
27 (44%) |
25 (41%) |
2 (3%) |
5.29 ± 0.72 |
39. I believe that safety committees for the project would be very beneficial |
1 (2%) |
1 (2%) |
2 (3%) |
9 (15%) |
31 (51%) |
15 (25%) |
2 (3%) |
4.92 ± 0.99 |
40. Media attention has portrayed safety on the site accurately |
36 (59%) |
11 (18%) |
3 (5%) |
2 (3%) |
5 (8%) |
3 (5%) |
1 (2%) |
1.97 ± 1.54 |
41. My foreman and supervisors always report safety problems to me |
0 (0%) |
1 (2%) |
0 (0%) |
7 (11%) |
34 (56%) |
16 (26%) |
3 (5%) |
5.10 ± 0.74 |
Selected "Positive" Findings- Superintendent Responses
- 99% of superintendents agree safety is visible on this job – for example, I have seen safety personnel or site supervisors or site managers doing daily safety checks
- 99% of superintendents agree that Perini regularly assesses the use of Personal Protective Equipment
- 99% of superintendents agree safety is important to their employer – he or she wants them to mention it often when talking with their staff
- 99% of superintendents agree that they inform their employer of any safety problems on the jobsite
- 98% of superintendents agree that Perini encourages employees to talk about near misses (close calls) that occurred at work
- 98% of superintendents agree their employer makes sure they follow site safety rules and procedures very closely
- 97% of superintendents agree that Perini thinks that job site safety is more important than schedules or deadlines
- 97% of superintendents agree that Perini policy encourages the reporting of work-related injuries or illnesses
- 97% of superintendents agree that Perini encourages communication of safety concerns between workers and management
- 96% of superintendents agree their employer makes sure all management personnel have the safety knowledge needed for the hazards they face on this job
- 96% of superintendents agree their employer supports them if they stop work because working conditions are unsafe
- 96% of superintendents agree they always make sure workers get enough site-specific information about a job to do it safely
Selected "Negative" Findings – Superintendent Responses
- 89% of superintendents disagree that sometimes workers have to ignore a safety rule or policy in order to carry out an assignment to meet the schedule (7% agree)
- 84% of superintendents disagree that Perini believes that productivity is more important than safety (11% agree)
- 82% of superintendents disagree that media attention has portrayed safety on the site accurately (16% agree)
- 69% of superintendents disagree that sometimes the crew can't do the job safely because other trades are in their way (29% agree)
- 49% of superintendents disagree that fatigue is an issue for their workers – they have made mistakes on the job because they were tired (25% agree)
- 14% of superintendents disagree that MGM thinks that job site safety is more important than job schedules and deadlines (84% agree)
- 8% of superintendents disagree that their workers always report safety hazards that they see (88% agree)
- 7% of superintendents disagree that MGM communicates a commitment to safety throughout this project (90% agree)
- 7% of superintendents disagree that the General Contractor (Perini) gives employees positive feedback when they demonstrate good safety practices (90% agree)
- 7% of superintendents disagree that doing the work safely on this job has definite priority over getting it done on schedule (91% agree)
- 7% of superintendents disagree that there is always enough personal protective equipment available to allow work to be done safely (91% agree)
- 7% of superintendents disagree that they believe that safety committees for the project would be very beneficial (91% agree)
3-2. Psychometric Analysis
3-2-a. Factors and Corresponding Survey Items for the Superintendent Survey
Based on a series of factor analyses, parallel analyses, and item analyses, 13 factors were identified for the superintendent survey, respectively. Factors and the correspondent survey items of each factor, and descriptive statistics (alpha coefficient, possible range, observed range, mean, standard deviation, and number of respondents) are reported in Table 6. See Appendix 4 for definitions of the 13 factors.
Table 6 – Factors and Corresponding Survey Items for the Superintendent Survey
Factors with corresponding survey items |
Alpha |
PR |
OR |
Mean |
SD |
N |
Perini Safety Climate |
.92 |
17-102 |
61-102 |
92.0 |
8.5 |
60 |
Safety is visible on this job – for example, I have seen safety personnel or site supervisors or site managers doing daily safety checks |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perini thinks that job site safety is more important than schedules or deadlines |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perini safety personnel step in to stop unsafe operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Perini safety staff follows up when there is a problem – it gets fixed right away and stays that way |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Safety is important to my employer – he or she wants me to mention it often when talking with my staff |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perini regularly assesses the use of Personal Protective Equipment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perini encourages communication of safety concerns between workers and management |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perini disciplines workers who do not follow safety procedures |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perini believes that productivity is more important than safety |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The General Contractor (Perini) gives employees positive feedback when they demonstrate good safety practices |
|
|
|
|
|
|
My employer supports me if I stop work because working conditions are unsafe |
|
|
|
|
|
|
My employer gives me the responsibility I need to allow my crew to work safely |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perini encourages employees to talk about near misses (close calls) that occurred at work |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perini policy encourages the reporting of work-related injuries or illnesses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perini considers safety performance in pre-qualifying its subcontractors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perini always includes safety in the job planning process |
|
|
|
|
|
|
My foreman and supervisors always report safety problems to me |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Factors with corresponding survey items |
Alpha |
PR |
OR |
Mean |
SD |
N |
Employer Safety Management |
.84 |
4-24 |
17-24 |
21.8 |
2.3 |
60 |
My employer makes sure all management personnel have the safety knowledge needed for the hazards we face on this job |
|
|
|
|
|
|
My employer makes sure we follow site safety rules and procedures very closely |
|
|
|
|
|
|
I inform my employer of any safety problems on the jobsite |
|
|
|
|
|
|
My employer thinks that safety is more important than productivity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Safety Behaviors |
.79 |
3-18 |
6-18 |
14.8 |
2.2 |
57 |
My workers always report safety hazards that they see |
|
|
|
|
|
|
My workers know who to report a hazard to when they see one on the job |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Workers assist others to make sure they perform their work safely |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Safety Practices |
.70 |
5-30 |
17-30 |
26.2 |
2.8 |
60 |
There is always enough personal protective equipment available to allow work to be done safely |
|
|
|
|
|
|
My workers have received enough training to do the work safely |
|
|
|
|
|
|
I always make sure workers get enough site-specific information about a job to do it safely |
|
|
|
|
|
|
My workers know what their safety responsibilities are at work |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Toolbox talks about safety are given regularly |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fatigue |
N/A |
1-6 |
1-5 |
3.1 |
1.4 |
57 |
Fatigue is an issue for my workers – they have made mistakes on the job because they were tired |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unsafe work due to time pressure |
N/A |
1-6 |
1-6 |
1.7 |
1.1 |
58 |
Sometimes workers have to ignore a safety rule or policy in order to carry out an assignment to meet the schedule |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Factors with corresponding survey items |
Alpha |
PR |
OR |
Mean |
SD |
N |
Perini Safety Program |
.81 |
2-12 |
5-12 |
10.3 |
1.6 |
59 |
Perini's safety program works well together with other subcontractor safety programs – it is clear to me who is responsible for what |
|
|
|
|
|
|
My safety program works well together with other subcontractor's safety programs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Safety Priority |
N/A |
1-6 |
2-6 |
5.1 |
1.1 |
60 |
Doing the work safely on this job has definite priority over getting it done on schedule |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Situational Constraints Caused by Other Trades |
N/A |
1-6 |
1-6 |
2.7 |
1.6 |
59 |
Sometimes the crew can't do the job safely because other trades are in our way |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Toolbox Talks Evaluation |
N/A |
1-6 |
3-6 |
5.3 |
0.7 |
59 |
Toolbox talks are helpful to my workers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perceived Need for Safety Committee |
N/A |
1-6 |
1-6 |
4.9 |
1.0 |
59 |
 I believe that safety committees for the project would be very beneficial |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Media Coverage |
N/A |
1-6 |
1-6 |
2.0 |
1.5 |
60 |
Media attention has portrayed safety on the site accurately |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MGM Safety Climate |
.75 |
3-18 |
7-18 |
14.4 |
2.4 |
59 |
MGM thinks that job site safety is more important than job schedules and deadlines |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| MGM has a management structure that encourages exchange of information about safety on the job | ||||||
MGM communicates a commitment to safety throughout this project |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note. Alpha = alpha coefficient, which is computed only for Factors consisting of 2 or more items. It ranges from 0 to 1, with values closer to 1 indicating that the set of items measures well a single Factor. PR = possible range of scores. OR = observed range of scores. Mean = an arithmetic average of the sum of the individual responses to the set of items for each Factor based on the survey respondents. SD = standard deviation, which is a measure of how widely the respondents' scores differ from the mean score. The larger the standard deviation, the more spread are the respondents' scores. N = number of respondents who provide valid responses for each factor. N may differ across factors due to missing responses.
Summary of Table 6.
Overall, alpha coefficients ranged from 0.70 to 0.92, which were satisfactory. Perini safety climate, employer safety management, safety practice, and Perini safety program exhibited narrower observed range of scores than the possible range of scores. In other words, responses on these four factors were significantly skewed in a positive direction.
3-2-b. Mean Comparisons within the Superintendent Survey
Mean comparisons of each of the 13 factors of the superintendent survey were conducted based on the following background characteristics: (1) months worked on the job site (less than 3- month vs. greater or equal to 3 months), (2) work status (superintendents, assistant superintendents, and project managers), and (3) years worked in the construction industry (less than 29 years vs. greater or equal to 29 years). No significant mean differences were found for the 13 factors based on work status. The remaining significant results based on months worked on the job site are depicted in Figures 29a – 29c.
3-2-b1. Mean Comparisons based on Months Worked
Figure 29a. Perini Safety Climate
Figure 29b. Perini Safety Program
Figure 29c. Safety Priority
Summary of Key Findings Based on Comparisons Between Those Who Worked <3 months vs. those who worked>3 Months (Figures 29a-29c).
Superintendents who have worked greater or equal to 3 months on the job site
- reported more positive Perini safety climate.
- reported more positive Perini safety program.
- reported more safety priority.
Given that the Superintendent surveys were distributed later than October of 2009, those who just came on board may not have the same frame of reference as those who have been working for more than 3 months. Thus, these findings indirectly support the implication that safety may have improved (cf. 1-2-b2). However, the above speculation should be interpreted with caution because these findings may also suggest that the two groups of Superintendents may have different standards or experience about Perini safety climate.
Overall, Superintendents who have worked greater or equal to 3 months on the job site reported more positive Perini safety climate, Perini safety program, and safety priority. Given that the superintendent surveys were distributed later than October of 2009, those who just came on board may not have the same frame of reference as those who have been working for more than 3 months. Thus, these findings indirectly support the implication that safety may have improved. However, the above speculation should be interpreted with caution because these findings may also suggest that the two groups of superintendents may have different standards or experience about Perini safety climate.
