This article proposes a methodology for classifying occupational accidents involving scaffolding based on the knowledge of the causes that led to their occurrence. Each occupational accident is caused by several causes belonging to three generic groups (technical, organizational, human) occurring in a different configuration. The aim of this research was to determine the qualitative and quantitative structure of the causes of accidents caused by falling from scaffolding. Significant causes were selected from the set of all the causes identified in the analyzed set of accidents. For this purpose, Pareto–Lorenz analysis and the ABC classification were used. Then, a set of significant causes containing technical, organizational and human causes was created, which was the basis for determining the subsets of accidents caused by similar causes. The hierarchical cluster analysis method, the agglomeration clustering technique and the binding of objects using the Ward method were proposed to determine the number of characteristic clusters. Three subsets of accidents with a similar set of causes were obtained. Information on the quality and number of causes in individual subsets was used to estimate the probability of an accident caused by a given set of causes and to assess occupational risk in construction. Calculations were performed using Statistica software.

The article presents the analysis of the dependence between methods of reducing construction waste and the size of the construction enterprise. The analysis was carried out for the following construction products: steel, concrete, wood, and small-sized (ceramic, concrete) and finishing (ceramic and stone tiles) products. Based on the literature review, the 13 most frequently used methods of reducing construction waste were identified. Surveys were then conducted among 140 construction enterprises. The research was conducted in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. In order to test whether there is a relationship between the used waste-reduction method for a given construction product and the size of the enterprise, the Pearson chi-square test of independence was used. The null hypothesis and the alternative hypothesis were formulated, and the critical level of significance α = 0.05 was adopted. The results were statistically significant for 7 methods of reducing construction waste. The identified methods include appropriate storage, the training of employees in the field of waste management, the use of monitoring systems, the appropriate transport and unloading of products, the appropriate involvement of subcontractors, the use of prefabricated elements, and the reuse of products on the construction site. Based on the conducted research, it was found that these methods are more often used with an increase in the size of the enterprise. The presented analysis emphasizes the urgent need to improve, integrate, and adjust the promotion of both the reduction of construction waste and the benefits of this reduction in construction enterprises, especially those of the smallest size.

This article presents research that aims to identify waste reduction methods used in the construction industry in relation to the following materials: steel, concrete, masonry products, finishing products (i.e., ceramic, and stone tiles), and wood and the dependence between the use of these methods and the size of the construction company. The research is based on surveys conducted amongst construction site managers in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. In the research, 13 methods of reducing construction waste were analyzed using Pearson’s independence test and the SPSS-26 software. Methods of reducing construction waste were identified. The study determined the frequency with which waste reduction methods in each material group were used, depending on the size of the company. Amongst the 13 methods analyzed, the ones which demonstrate a relationship between frequency of methods and size of the company were identified (for all groups of materials): the use of monitoring systems, reuse of materials within the construction, use of prefabricated elements, adequate storage, and engagement of subcontractors. In the case of the other tested methods, no such relationship was found.

Construction, like any other economic activity, can contribute to national income by creating employment opportunities, and raising gross domestic product (GDP). Several researchers have studied the challenges of various aspects of the construction industry (CI), ranging from sustainability, the industrial revolution, small and medium enterprise, building information modelling, and intelligent construction, but this research examines the state of the CI in conflict-affected regions by evaluating the challenging factors impacting this sector of the economy. A total of 150 industry experts participated in this survey across three regions (Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East). In total, 35 challenging factors were identified and classified using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Using version 4 of Smart Partial Least Squares (PLS), structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to build the model, which produced seven constructs: economic, environment and education, government, industrial, sustainability, technology, training and support. 31 challenging factors were outlined under these constructs, with economic challenges such as high inflation, high-interest rates, and foreign direct investment (FDI) being the most critical of those observed. This study will be of great importance to the governments of nations in the formulation of policies for the CI. At the same time, stakeholders in the CI will collaborate in the advancement of the sector in the affected region.

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