Multiple configurational effects and analyses on construction workers' unsafe behaviors: a qualitative approach of...

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.

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.

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.