The impact of macroeconomic and industrial fluctuation on fatalities of construction workers in China

• Published in: Journal of safety research Vol. 70; pp. 149 - 158
• Main Authors: Liang, Kongzheng, Fung, Ivan W.H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2019; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Accidents, Occupational - mortality; Accidents, Occupational - trends; China; China - epidemiology; Civil engineering; Cointegration analysis; Construction accidents & safety; Construction fatalities; Construction industry; Construction Industry - economics; Construction Industry - statistics & numerical data; Construction methods; Economic analysis; Fatalities; Granger causality; Growth rate; Housing; Humans; Indicators; Industrial development; Industrial safety; Macroeconomic fluctuation; Macroeconomics; Mortality; Occupational safety; Safety; Time series; Trends; Variation; Workers; China; Macroeconomic fluctuation; Cointegration analysis; China; Granger causality; Construction fatalities
• ISSN: 0022-4375; 1879-1247
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2019.06.004

Objective: This study explores the relationship between fluctuation in economic and industrial development and work-related fatalities of Chinese construction workers. Methods: The data for work-related fatalities in housing and civil engineering in China from 1996 to 2016 were tested for fluctuation and trends of both general economic and industry-specific indicators using the Engle-Granger cointegration analysis and the augmented Granger Causality test the with modified Wald method. Results: Both the long-run equilibrium associations and short-run dynamic interactions between construction safety and macroeconomic development in China were determined. According to the estimates, fatalities in the construction industry appeared to be more significantly associated with changes in the gross output value of the industry, and the improvement in the workers' efficiency also contributed to the decline of fatalities. It initially revealed that the changes in growth rate, instead of growth itself, had a more significant influence on construction safety in China, while a marginal decreasing trend of positive effects exerted by the growth can be expected with the gradual maturity of the industry. Significance: The application of econometrical methods explored an untapped data source for gaining an insight into the underlying rules of occurrence of construction fatalities, thus strengthening the body of knowledge of construction safety by providing a new research perspective that some safety indicators can be treated as the macro-level socioeconomic index. Practical applications: The findings reminded policymakers and practitioners to be aware of potential challenges from the slowing or even declining trend facing the industry in the near future, and offered a reference to relevant authorities for establishing a more targeted and effective governance strategy. •This article introduced econometrical methods into an untapped data source for construction safety research.•A pioneering study for the association between occupational safety and economic condition in developing countries.•The changes in the growth rate of the industry had a significant influence on construction fatalities in China.•Chinese Policymakers should note challenges in safety management from the upcoming decline trend facing the industry.