Why Monday is the most threatening day on a construction site

The Australian construction industry employs over 1.3 million employees. That’s about 9% of the workforce.

But there may be construction sites dangerous workplaces. There are also more accidents on the street Monday than any other weekday, as we see in this pattern many countries.

Many factors give us this “The Monday effect“. We can address these and other issues to reduce avoidable workplace accidents on Mondays and other weekdays.

Construction is threatening

The construction sector has higher rates accidents at work than the national average.

The industry reported that in 2023 45 workers diedwhich is an enhance from the five-year average of 33.

Construction workers most often die from being hit by moving objects. The next most common causes are deaths due to falls, trips and slips.

Financial year 2022-23 There were over 16,600 earnest workers’ compensation claims in the construction sector. The median salary is now A$18,479 and the median lost work time is 8.5 weeks – both higher than in previous years.

“The Monday Effect”

Various studies conducted in different regions confirm that “The Monday effect”in construction. For example, a Chinese study found that fatal accidents occurred 12.6% more often on Mondays compared to other weekdays. There was a similar trend in Spain AND Hong Kong.

We also see “The Monday effect” IN other industries, such as agriculture, forestry, mining and manufacturing.

A Spanish study that looked at records almost 3 million accidents at workincluding construction, confirmed the Monday effect across industries, companies of all sizes, all types of workers, and all types of injuries.

Linked data from all workplace accidents in Queensland also confirms Monday’s impact.

Why Mondays?

Construction accidents are more likely on Monday many reasons.

For example, staying up tardy on Sunday night and getting a penniless night’s rest the night before the work week starts contributes to “cognitive failures” and mistakes at work on Monday.

Mondays usually involve starting new tasks or projects. This may cause unknown risks.

Construction site conditions, including weather, may also change over the weekend, causing unexpected hazards. For example, powerful winds over the weekend could cause scaffolding or unsecured materials to move, increasing the risk of accidents on Monday.

We need to address the root causes

AND test responsible for the safety and efficiency of the Australian construction industry, stressed the need to proactively anticipate and prevent accidents rather than taking action after they occur – on Mondays or other days of the week.

The study used in-depth interviews with 30 industry professionals at 14 companies to identify several factors contributing to construction accidents:

• unrealistic deadlineswhich can prompt employees to rush and cut corners to get the job done on time

• shortage of skilled laborwhich means some employees may be doing work for which they are not qualified

• employees are afraid to speak out about safety concernswhich may lead to failure to report and address potential threats

• complicated and unknown custom structureswhich may involve unique risks and challenges that employees may not have encountered before

• insufficient human factor risk assessmentwhich include fatigue, stress or cognitive overload and can lead to errors and unsafe decisions on the spot

• rushed training programsparticularly for safety reasons, which may leave workers unprepared to deal with risks or follow proper procedures.

What can we do to prevent accidents?

Part of the solution to some of these problems is supporting a workplace culture in which security it is perceived as a core value and shared responsibility of employers, superiors and employees.

In construction companies, where safety is treated as “psychological contract” – unwritten but mutual obligations of employees and superiors – employees are better equipped identify and eliminate security threats.

Awareness campaigns highlighting issues such as the “Monday effect” can also encourage adjustments to workflows to reduce the risk of accidents. This may include scheduling less threatening or less convoluted tasks for Mondays to give employees time to return to their daily activities.

What else can we do?

Technology it can also lend a hand prevent accidents.

For example, wearable sensors on a wristband or smartphone can identify, track and monitor employees body posture. These sensors can detect unsafe lifting practices, excessive bending, or prolonged exposure to a stagnant or uncomfortable position. These are factors that can contribute to ergonomic risks and injuries.

Augmented reality can be used to simulate tasks to lend a hand workers practice techniques safely.

Artificial intelligence could analyze the camera image Down monitor workplaces in case of threatening activities and signaling threats.

But cost concernsprivacy and industry belief that these investments are worthwhile are among the barriers to the adoption of these technologies.

Talking about money

Raising awareness of the economic costs of workplace accidents can change attitudes and priorities.

2019 Australian study found that the average cost of a construction accident ranges from $2,040 to $6,024,517. This depends on whether the accident resulted in miniature or long absence from work, whether someone is partially or completely unable to work, or whether someone dies.

Elements of this estimate include compensation, loss of income or earnings, costs of training and retraining of staff, social welfare benefits, as well as costs of treatment, tests and care.

Goal: zero deaths

Deaths and injuries at work on construction sites should not be dismissed as accidents. They are a symptom of many systemic factors that need to be addressed through thoughtful action and a commitment to safety.

Just as road safety initiatives aim to achieve zero fatalities, the construction industry should focus on achieving zero workplace fatalities.