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Taking shortcuts on construction sites may feel like a quick way to get the job done — but survey findings show it’s becoming a dangerous norm. According to a recent industry survey by IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health), nearly half of construction workers admit to taking shortcuts while working at height, even though falls remain one of the leading causes of workplace deaths worldwide.
What the Survey Revealed
- 21% of workers admit to taking shortcuts while working at height.
- 1 in 7 workers feel their employer or main contractor expects them to ignore safety rules to finish the job faster.
- Many workers lack proper training, with some reporting that they have never received formal instruction on safe work at height.
- Time pressure, tight deadlines and productivity demands were cited as the most significant reasons workers cut corners.
- A significant number believe that refusing unsafe work may affect their job security, even though most say they want safer conditions.
One worker shared that after her father fell from a ladder, the family lived through months, even years, of emotional, physical and financial impact. This story reflects a painful truth: the ripple effect of one shortcut lasts far longer than the seconds saved.
Why This Matters for Malaysia
Malaysia’s construction landscape is fast-paced — from high-rise projects to major public infrastructure. On-site pressures are very similar:
- tight handover deadlines
- client expectations
- budget constraints
- subcontractor layers
- wrongs methods
- lack of supervision and training
These create an environment where shortcuts feel “normal”, for example, no fall-prevention planning, no edge protection, harness not attached to a suitable anchor point, workers climbing without fall protection.
While Malaysia’s DOSH regulations are clear, on-ground culture is often the real challenge. What workers see others doing becomes what they think is acceptable.
What Employers and Contractors Should Do
To break this cycle, companies must tackle the root causes rather than simply blaming workers:
✔ Ensure high-risk work is always supervised and monitored by competent supervisors
✔ Ensure adequate training is provided consistently
Every worker operating at height must receive proper, hands-on, refreshed training — not just a safety briefing on the first day.
✔ Eliminate pressure-driven shortcuts
Supervisors must be appropriately trained to plan & prioritise safety over speed. Production pressure should never override risk controls.
✔ Improve equipment availability
Shortcuts often happen because the right equipment isn’t available, maintained or easily accessible.
✔ Empower workers to say “Stop Work”
Workers must feel safe to refuse unsafe tasks without fear of losing their jobs.
✔ Strengthen communication across subcontractors
Different teams often follow different standards. Clear, uniform expectations must be communicated from the main contractor to every subcontractor.
Shortcuts might seem to save time now, but in construction safety, they almost always cost more in human lives, livelihoods and reputation. Malaysia’s construction industry must ensure that when work stress rises, safety comes first, because no deadline, budget or target justifies a major injury or fatality.
Image: Freepik
