BTQS3063 Project and Dissertation II

Impacts of Covid-19 Pandemic in the Malaysian Construction

Industry

BY

Teo Shek Ven

DEPARTMENT OF QUANTITY SURVEYING

FACULTY OF BUILT ENVIRONMENT

TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

KUALA LUMPUR

2022/2023
Impacts of Covid-19 Pandemic in the Malaysian Construction Industry

By

Teo Shek Ven

Supervisor: Dr. Sia Mal Kong

Project dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the

award of the Bachelor of Quantity Surveying (Honours)

Department of Quantity Surveying

Faculty of Built Environment

Tunku Abdul Rahman University College

Kuala Lumpur

2022/2023

Copyright © 2022 by Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

All rights reserved. No part of this dissertation may be reproduced, stored in

a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the

prior permission of Tunku Abdul Rahman University College

 DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY

“The project submitted herewith is a result of my own investigations. All information that

has been obtained from other sources had been fully acknowledged. I understand that

plagiarism constitutes a breach of University College rules and regulations and would be

subjected to disciplinary actions.”

Signature

Joeyteo
Teo Shek Ven

Date: 22/9/2022

ii
 ACKNOWLEGMENT

First of all, I would like to use this opportunity to express my deepest appreciation and

gratitude for the people, individuals and even for the organization who lend their hand to

support and help on completing my final year project. It was a great chance for me, and I

will never forget to thank them for their guidance and assistance.

Secondly, I did like to offer my sincere appreciation to the Faculty of Built Environment

in Tunku Abdul Rahman University College for providing me with the chance to conduct

this research. Next, I did want to convey my gratitude to our esteemed supervisor, Dr Sia

Mal Kong, for all of his assistance in completing my assignment, especially the

referencing and format part. He also took the time to answer my questions. Therefore, I

am grateful to you for providing us with this opportunity.

Other than that, I would also like to express my thankfulness to my fellow friends and

classmates as they are open for sharing their personal experiences or providing some

necessary advice and guidance on my research paper. Last but not least, I am appreciative

of my parents as they always give unlimited support and encouragement for every

decision and step that I wish to make. All of this help, I am able to complete my PD II on

time which I really appreciate.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY ......................................................................... ii

ACKNOWLEGMENT .................................................................................................. iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................. iv

LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................... viii

LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................... xi

LIST OF SYMBOLS/ABBREVIATION .................................................................... xii

ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................. xiii

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 1

1.2 Background Information..................................................................................... 1

1.3 Problem Statement .............................................................................................. 3

1.4 Research Questions............................................................................................. 4

1.5 Research Objectives ........................................................................................... 5

1.6 Scope of Research .............................................................................................. 5

1.7 Methodology ....................................................................................................... 5

1.8 Research Significance......................................................................................... 6

1.9 Summary ............................................................................................................. 7

CHAPTER 2 LITREATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 8

2.2 Impacts of Covid-19 Pandemic .......................................................................... 8

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 2.2.1 Impacts on Workers .................................................................................. 8

2.2.2 Impacts on Company............................................................................... 11

2.3 Strategies of managing and mitigating the spread of Covid-19 ....................... 14

2.4 Effectiveness of SOP in preventing the Covid-19 pandemic ........................... 20

2.4.1 Covid-19 Screening Test ......................................................................... 21

2.4.2 Social Distancing .................................................................................... 22

2.4.3 Wear a mask ............................................................................................ 23

2.4.4 Maintain hygiene ..................................................................................... 24

2.4.5 Reduce 50% worker’s capacity ............................................................... 26

2.4.6 Vaccination of Covid-19 ......................................................................... 27

2.5 Summary ........................................................................................................... 28

CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 29

3.2 Research Process .............................................................................................. 30

3.3 Technic Data Collection ................................................................................... 30

3.3.1 Primary Data Collection .......................................................................... 30

3.3.1.1 Qualitative Approaches ..................................................................... 31

3.3.1.2 Quantitative Approaches ................................................................... 31

3.3.1.3 Mixed Method Research.................................................................... 32

3.4 Research Design ............................................................................................... 33

3.5 Questionnaire Design ....................................................................................... 34

3.6 Research Sampling ........................................................................................... 37

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3.7 Data analysis technique .................................................................................... 38

3.8 Summary ........................................................................................................... 40

CHAPTER 4 DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULT

4.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 41

4.2 Reliability Test ................................................................................................. 41

4.3 Coding and Data Entry ..................................................................................... 42

4.3 Section A: Demographic information of Respondents ..................................... 44

4.3.2 Respondent’s age range........................................................................... 46

4.3.2 Respondent’s working experience .......................................................... 47

4.3.3 Respondent’s CIDB grade....................................................................... 48

4.3.4 Respondent’s mostly involved construction project ............................... 49

4.3.5 Respondent’s experience on impacts of Covid-19 .................................. 50

4.4 Section B: Impacts of Covid-19 Pandemic....................................................... 51

4.4.1 Impacts on company ............................................................................... 53

4.5 Section C: Strategies of managing and mitigating the Covid-19 ..................... 54

4.5.1 Agreement on strategies of managing and mitigating the Covid-19....... 54

4.5.2 Agreement on strategies if having symptoms of Covid-19 ..................... 61

4.6 Section D: The effectiveness of implementing SOP ........................................ 64

4.7 Independent Sample t-test ................................................................................ 71

4.7.1 Relationship between Gender and SOP .................................................. 71

4.7.2 Relationship between Gender and strategies if having symptoms .......... 72

4.7.3 Relationship between Gender and effectiveness on implement SOP ..... 73

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4.8 Summary ........................................................................................................... 74

CHAPTER 5 DISCUSSION, CONCLUSSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 75

5.2 Impacts of Covid-19 pandemic to the construction industry ............................ 75

5.3 Strategies of SOP on managing the spread of Covid-19 .................................. 76

5.4 Strategies to take if having symptoms of Covid-19 ......................................... 78

5.5 Effectiveness of implementing SOP in preventing the spread of Covid-19 ..... 79

5.6 Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 82

5.7 Recommendations for Future Study ................................................................. 86

5.8 Limitations of study .......................................................................................... 88

REFERENCES.............................................................................................................. 89

APPENDICES

Appendix A: Survey Questionnaire

Appendix B: Survey Questionnaire in Google Forms

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 LIST OF TABLES

Table 2.1 The Detailed Labour Productivity .................................................................. 11

Table 2.2 Phase 1 in National Recovery Plan ................................................................. 16

Table 2.3 Phase 2 & 3 in National Recovery Plan.......................................................... 17

Table 3.1 Qualitative Approach VS Quantitative Approach .......................................... 32

Table 4.1 Cronbach's Alpha Level of Reliability ........................................................... 42

Table 4.2 Case Processing Summary .............................................................................. 42

Table 4.3 Reliability Statistics for Section B .................................................................. 42

Table 4.4 Reliability Statistics for Section C .................................................................. 42

Table 4.5 Reliability Statistics for Section D ................................................................. 42

Table 4.6 Summary of Data Screening for Section A .................................................... 43

Table 4.7 Summary of Data Screening for Section B, C and D ..................................... 44

Table 4.8 Gender of Respondents ................................................................................... 45

Table 4.9 Age Range of Respondents ............................................................................. 46

Table 4.10 Working Experience of Respondents ........................................................... 47

Table 4.11 CIDB Grade of Respondents ........................................................................ 48

Table 4.12 Mostly Involved Construction Project of Respondents ................................ 49

Table 4.13 Experiences of respondents on impact of Covid-19 ..................................... 50

Table 4.14 Frequency Reading of Impacts on Workers ................................................. 52

Table 4.15 Frequency of Impacts on Company .............................................................. 53

Table 4.16 Take a Covid-19 Screening Test................................................................... 55

Table 4.17 Descriptive Statistics .................................................................................... 55

Table 4.18 Wear a Mask ................................................................................................. 56

Table 4.19 Descriptive Statistics .................................................................................... 56

Table 4.20 Practice Social Distance ............................................................................... 57

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Table 4.21 Descriptive Analysis ..................................................................................... 57

Table 4.22 Surfaces sanitization and disinfection .......................................................... 58

Table 4.23 Descriptive Statistics .................................................................................... 58

Table 4.24 Maintain Hand Hygiene ................................................................................ 59

Table 4.25 Descriptive Statistics .................................................................................... 59

Table 4.26 50% reduction on workers capacity at construction workplaces .................. 60

Table 4.27 Descriptive Statistics .................................................................................... 60

Table 4.28 Get Vaccinated.............................................................................................. 61

Table 4.29 Descriptive Statistics .................................................................................... 61

Table 4.30 Isolate in special area .................................................................................... 62

Table 4.31 Descriptive Statistics .................................................................................... 62

Table 4.32 Evaluate the potential area of shutting down the construction site .............. 63

Table 4.33 Descriptive Statistics .................................................................................... 63

Table 4.34 Hire professional team to sanitize................................................................. 64

Table 4.35 Descriptive Statistics .................................................................................... 64

Table 4.36 Take a Covid-19 Screening Test................................................................... 65

Table 4.37 Descriptive Statistics .................................................................................... 65

Table 4.38 Wear a mask ................................................................................................. 66

Table 4.39 Descriptive Statistics .................................................................................... 66

Table 4.40 Practice Social Distance ............................................................................... 67

Table 4.41 Descriptive Statistics .................................................................................... 67

Table 4.42 Surfaces sanitization and disinfection .......................................................... 68

Table 4.43 Descriptive Statistics .................................................................................... 68

Table 4.44 Maintain hand hygiene ................................................................................. 69

Table 4.45 Descriptive Statistics .................................................................................... 69

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Table 4.46 50% reduction on workers capacity at workplaces ....................................... 70

Table 4.47 Descriptive Statistics .................................................................................... 70

Table 4.48 Get Vaccinated.............................................................................................. 71

Table 4.49 Descriptive Statistics .................................................................................... 71

Table 4.50 Group Statistic of Gender and SOP .............................................................. 72

Table 4.51 Group Statistic of gender and strategies if having symptoms ...................... 73

Table 4.52 Group Statistics of Gender and effectiveness on implementing SOP .......... 74

Table 5.1 Ranking for impacts of workers ..................................................................... 76

Table 5.2 Ranking for impacts of company .................................................................... 76

Table 5.3 Ranking for strategies SOP ............................................................................. 77

Table 5.4 Ranking for strategies if having symptoms .................................................... 78

Table 5.5 Ranking for effectiveness SOP ....................................................................... 80

Table 5.6 Overall mean value for gender and SOP ........................................................ 81

Table 5.7 Female ranking for SOP ................................................................................. 81

Table 5.8 Male ranking for SOP ..................................................................................... 82

Table 5.9 Overall mean value for gender and strategies if having symptoms ................ 83

Table 5.10 Female ranking for strategies if having symptoms ....................................... 83

Table 5.11 Male ranking for strategies if having symptoms .......................................... 83

Table 5.12 Overall mean value for effectiveness of strategies ....................................... 84

Table 5.13 Female ranking for effectiveness of strategies ............................................. 85

Table 5.14 Female ranking for effectiveness of strategies ............................................. 85

x
 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 2.1 Labour Productivity of First Quarter 2020 .................................................... 10

Figure 2.2 Malaysia's GDP from Q1 2017 to Q1 2020 .................................................. 13

Figure 2.3 Weekly Covid-19 cases VS weekly recoveries in Malaysia ......................... 20

Figure 2.4 3rd quarter and projection for 4th quarter of working loss.............................. 26

Figure 2.5 The infection and symptomatic for partially and fully vaccinated ................ 28

Figure 3.1 Research Process (Dudovskiy, 2022) ............................................................ 30

Figure 4.1 Gender of Respondents ................................................................................. 45

Figure 4.2 Age Range of Respondents ........................................................................... 46

Figure 4.3 Working Experience of Respondents ............................................................ 47

Figure 4.4 CIDB Grade of Respondents ......................................................................... 48

Figure 4.5 Mostly Involved Construction Project of Respondents ................................. 50

Figure 4.6 Experiences of Respondents on impacts of Covid-19 ................................... 51

Figure 4.7 Impacts on Workers....................................................................................... 52

Figure 4.8 Impacts on Company ..................................................................................... 54

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 LIST OF SYMBOLS/ABBREVIATION

ABC Associated Builders and Contractors

CDC Centres for Disease Control and Prevention

CIDB Construction Industry Development Board

CIVac Construction Industry Vaccination

CLQ Centralised Labour Quarters

CMCO Conditional Movement Control Orders

EMCO Enhanced Movement Control Orders

EOT Extension of Time

ERT Emergency Response Team

GDP Gross Domestic Product

ILO International Labour Organisation

KKR Kementerian Kerja Raya

L&E Loss and Expenses

MCO Movement Control Order

MITI The Ministry of International Trade and Industry

MOH Ministry of Health

NRP National Recovery Plan

OHSA Occupational Health and Safety Committees

RMCO Resumption of Movement Control Orders

SOP Standard Operating Procedures

SPSS Statistical Package for the Social Sciences

WHO World Health Organization

xii
 ABSTRACT

At the end of 2019, Covid-19 has become a trended and heated topic worldwide, including

in Malaysia. People did not realize that this pandemic would bring so many impacts on

their basic livelihood, healthy, business, jobs, income and so on in the first place. But

with the passage of time, people then only know that Covid-19 is a serious pandemic

which will bring a lot of impacts on their life. This Covid-19 pandemic makes a mess for

the people surrounding the world including losing their families member due to the

confirmed case of Coronavirus, no monthly income to survive their life and so on. The

impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic have not excluded the construction industry as well. It

has made a lot of construction parties like workers and company as well facing the serious

impacts brought by the pandemic. Hence, there are several objectives to investigate the

impacts brought by the Covid-19 pandemic on the Malaysian construction industry. There

is total 70 number of respondents have been targeted to answer the questionnaires by

using Google Forms for providing their views and perception on the strategies that

mitigate and manage the spread of Covid-19 and the effectiveness of the SOP

implemented by the Malaysian Government. The collected questionnaire will therefore

use some research method such as reliability test to know the reliability of the

questionnaire, descriptive analysis and independent sample t-test as well to conduct data

analysis for getting results at the end. Several findings of the study indicated that the

majority of respondents strongly agreed that the SOPs implemented by the government

were sufficiently effective in mitigating and managing the spread of Covid-19. The

results of this study show that it is important to be aware of the impact of Covid-19 in

order for people to recognize and take action to minimize the impact and learn to coexist

with Covid-19. More than that, people will be aware of the importance of SOPs to ensure

that the spread of Covid-19 is mitigated and controlled. This will also show the

xiii
effectiveness of SOPs, which will lead people to follow and obey company and

government instructions.

xiv
 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

In this particular chapter, it will discuss the background information and problem

statement that comes with research objectives, scope of research. Not only that, this

chapter will also discuss the methodology, research significance and summary in respect

of impacts of Covid-19 pandemic in the Malaysian construction industry for better

enhancement of the research.

1.2 Background Information

2019 Coronavirus disease which also known as Covid-19, was declared as a pandemic by

the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020, with many economic implications

for business around the world (Ogunnusi, Hamma-Adamma, Salma & Kouider 2020, pp.

120-128). The pandemic resulted in the imposition of a total lockdown in many countries

after a significant peak of positive Covid-19 cases was detected. In Malaysia, the

government implemented a restrictive approach called "Movement Control Order'' (MCO)

on 18 March 2020 to curb and suppress the spread of the virus (Ain Umaira Md Shah,

Syafiqah Nur Azrie Safri, Nor Kamariah Noordin, Azmanwani Abd Rahman, Zamberi

Sekawi, Aini Ideris & Mohamed Thariq Hameed Sultan 2020, pp. 108-116). This

lockdown has led to the country facing a major socio-economic crisis as many sectors

have needed to be temporarily closed in order to assist government decision-making.

Without a doubt, the construction industry is also one of the sectors which are affected

(Naomie, Chan, Suhaimi Mansor, Nor Erne Nazira Bazin, Safiya Amaran, Ahmand Athif

Mohd Fauzi, Anazida Zainal, Sharin Hazlin Huspi, Khoo & Shaekh Mohammad Shithil,

2020).

1
During the period from 2020 to 2021, government has made an attempt to implement

several measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the society, such as Enhanced

Movement Control Orders (EMCO), Resumption of Movement Control Orders (RMCO)

and Conditional Movement Control Orders (CMCO). In the meantime, Malaysia has not

won the war against the Covid-19 pandemic yet (Kaos & Chung 2020). As we all know,

the construction industry is one of the most significant industries that can encourage the

nation's development. It requires many workers to work concurrently in order to carry out

the work properly and successfully (Mohd Shahidan Shaari, Faiz Masnan, Nur Salimah

Alias & Razinda Tasnim Abdul Rahim 2021, p.020058). Nevertheless, all of this

instability has brought the construction industry into a critical status. There are a lot of

projects that were forced to stop and shut down during the whole restriction period as it

jeopardizes personal safety especially for construction site workers (Biswas, Ghosh, Kar,

Mondal, Ghosh & Bardhan 2021, p.012054).

The reason for choosing this topic for research is that Covid-19 pandemic had caused

many implications for the construction industry. Although some movement control orders

implemented by the government allowed the construction industry to resume their

operations and work progress within conditions of complying with the Standard

Operating Procedures (SOP), the long shutting down period has caused huge effects such

as delaying the projects (Bailey, Bouchardie & Madelena 2020). It has not only brought

an impact on the construction project itself, but also created a precarious situation for all

the companies, workers and society involved (Mohd Shahidan Shaari et al, 2021). Not in

addition to that, the construction industry needs to be more vigilant in implementing

mandatory safety measures and guidelines to overcome and additionally reduce the risk

2
of Covid-19 spreading throughout the construction industry when it is allowed to resume

in the future (LoBue & Lua-Valenicia 2020).

1.3 Problem Statement

The construction industry was significantly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic due to the

various lockdowns imposed by the government nationwide from 18 March 2020

(Flanders Trade, 2021). In order to curb the spread of the virus, stop-work orders were

issued to all construction sites in certain states of the country when MCO were

implemented, with the exemption of certain works that belong to the list of essential

services for the construction industry (Bernama 2021). The construction industry was

greatly affected during the pandemic due to the various lockdowns and restrictions

enforced by the government. Many construction projects were being delayed due to the

need for contractors to follow and comply with these restrictions. The pandemic also

pushed many construction companies to the border of bankruptcy due to the temporary

suspension of construction sites during the lockdown. This is a critical issue that will

directly lead to a drop in the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the construction

industry contributes significantly to the country's economy (Biswas et al. 2021).

Consequently, it is important to identify the impact on the construction industry so that

the government will be able to put in place some recovery plans to help the struggling

construction companies during this economic recession.

As cases of Covid-19 continue to rise, it is necessary to carry out various strategies on

construction sites to curb the spread of the virus among workers. The Construction

Industry Development Board (CIDB) has introduced a complete SOP guide for the

different stages of MCO in order to effectively control the infection rate on construction

sites. Yet, many contractors are still not adhering and following the SOP during their

3
operations. Based on Teoh (2021), a total of 150 construction sites were under stop-work

orders for non-compliance with SOPs during MCO 3.0. Due to the proliferation of Covid-

19 cases, it is essential to pay attention to the enforcement of SOPs in the workplace by

contractors. It has been reported that SOP best practices can work to help avoid the spread

of viruses on construction sites, thus allowing construction projects to continue and

stimulating the country's economic development (CIDB, 2020).

According to the data from the Ministry of Health (MOH), it was revealed that 11.56%

of Covid-19 cases were from construction sites and it shows that it is under Top 3 of most

infection rates among different sectors in Malaysia (Codeblue 2021). As per Afiq Aziz

(2020), it shows that there are 630 new positive cases which were detected and found

from the Damanlela construction site in Kuala Lumpur. The high volume of cases has

drawn attention to the effectiveness of the SOP which is implemented in the construction

industry, especially construction sites.

1.4 Research Questions

Based on the Section 1.3 problem statement above, several research questions should be

emphasized:

I. What are the impacts of Covid -19 Pandemic in the construction industry?

II. What are the strategies of managing and mitigating the spread of Covid-19

Pandemic in the construction workplaces?

III. What is the effectiveness of implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)

in preventing the spread of the Covid-19 Pandemic among construction workers?

4
1.5 Research Objectives

The aim of this study is to carry out research on impacts of Covid-19 pandemic in the

Malaysian construction industry. The research objectives are:

I. To identify the various impacts of Covid-19 pandemic to the construction industry.

II. To investigate the strategies of managing and mitigating the spread of Covid-19

pandemic in the construction workplaces.

III. To investigate the effectiveness of implementing Standard Operating Procedures

(SOP) in preventing the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic among construction

workers.

1.6 Scope of Research

Basically, this research will aim on construction field worker’s satisfaction and comments

on how the Covid-19 pandemic impacts the Malaysian construction industry. The

evaluation of construction field workers’ satisfaction will only comment and cover the

topic surrounding impact of Covid-19, satisfaction of strategies that manage and mitigate

the spread of Covid-19 and the effectiveness of implementation of Standard Operating

Procedures (SOP). The targeted population are the construction field workers such as

Developer, Quantity Surveyor, Architect, Contractor, Engineering, even for the

construction site workers as well in Malaysia.

1.7 Methodology

In this research, all the data and findings are collected from primary and secondary

sources. By using these two sources, it is able to achieve the objectives of the research.

The primary sources of data are collected from online questionnaires by using quantitative

research methods. Basically, the questionnaire survey method is frequently used in order

5
to collect the data and information from the respondents about the research objectives.

Not only that, his method can be productively used by researchers in order to obtain

primary data from a wide range of respondents. Therefore, the distribution of

questionnaires will be targeted to the respondent of construction field workers with

specific positions such as the Site Supervisor, Quantity Surveyor, Contractor or some

office workers who have a minimum one-year experience on the construction field in

Malaysia. After collecting the data through questionnaires from respondents, it will then

evaluate and analyse by using appropriate software and technology such as Statistical

Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software in order to achieve the research

objectives.

1.8 Research Significance

Covid-19 was a serious crisis that brought the global economy and society to a critical

state. This pandemic had many repercussions in the short and long term. Therefore, the

significance of doing this research is to figure out and further understand the impact of

Covid-19 pandemic in the Malaysian construction industry. Not only that, it will also be

able to know the strategies of managing and mitigating the spread of Covid-19 in

construction workplaces such as offices, sites and so on. By investigating the strategies,

this research will also investigate the effectiveness of implementing Standard Operating

Procedures (SOP) in preventing the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic among construction

field’ workers so that the people especially construction workers will be able to

understand the importance of implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to

prevent the spread of Covid-19.

6
1.9 Summary

In a nutshell, the background information has shown Malaysia's government

implementing certain measures such as lock downs to curb the pandemic of Covid-19 and

how the Covid-19 impacts the country which brings the country facing a major socio-

economic crisis.

Besides that, the problem statement has mentioned that the construction industry was

greatly affected during the pandemic due to the various lockdowns and restrictions

enforced by the government. It also mentioned that it is necessary to carry out various

strategies on construction sites to curb the spread of the virus among construction field’

workers such as Developer, Quantity Surveyor, Architect, Contractor, Engineering, even

for the construction site workers as well in Malaysia.

Therefore, the research objectives that focus on impacts of Covid-19 pandemic, the

strategies of managing and mitigating the spread of Covid-19 and the effectiveness of

implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) among construction workers.

Furthermore, the questionnaire will be then distributed to the construction field’ workers

such as Developer, Quantity Surveyor, Architect, Contractor, Engineering, even for the

construction site workers as well in Malaysia in order to reach the objective of this

research and study. The collected data will then be analysed by appropriate technology

which is Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) software.

Throughout the whole research, the reader will be able to understand the impacts of

Covid-19 pandemic in the Malaysian construction industry.

7
 CHAPTER 2 LITREATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction

The construction industry in Selangor has finally been able to fully resume operations on

18 October 2021 after many movement controls have been imposed since Selangor

reached Phase 4 in the National Recovery Plan (NRP). This chapter will be aimed to

discuss the impacts of Covid-19 pandemic in the Malaysian construction industry and

suggest some strategies to managing and mitigating the spread of Covid-19 pandemic in

the construction workplaces. Not only that, this chapter will also investigate the

effectiveness of implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in preventing the

spread of the Covid-19 pandemic among construction workers. In order to identify the

various impacts of Covid-19 pandemic that brings to the Malaysian construction industry

in this research, the literature review is then carried out by using several sources such as

journal articles, newspaper, electronic publications and so on to identify the research.

2.2 Impacts of Covid-19 Pandemic

2.2.1 Impacts on Workers

In the beginning of Covid-19 Pandemic that occurred in Malaysia, the construction

industry activities had been controlled and affected by the movement control that was

implemented by the government such as MCO, EMCO, CMCO and RMCO. The

movement control’s SOP is not allowing the construction site works to operate as usual

or restrict the workforces with low rates of productivity in construction works for

complying with the SOP. Based on Construction Plus (2021), the whole industry has

experienced total stop construction work durations which are up to 199 days and the

8
restriction of low rates productivity durations is up to 380 days which is more than a year.

Based on the Table 2.1, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (2020) shows that the

labour productivity of total employment has decreased dramatically from Quarter 4 2019

with 1.4% of value added per employment to -0.8% of value in Quarter 1 2020 in

Malaysia. According to Araya (2021, p. 105022), the construction workforce has

decreased around the range of 30% to 90% for the construction projects due to the Covid-

19 pandemic. Based on Figure 2.1, it shown that the labour productivity has dropped in

Quarter 1 in 2020 compared to Quarter 4 in 2019 (Department of Statistics Malaysia

Office Portal 2020). Based on what Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said, the construction

works are not allowed to operate as usual during the whole nationwide lockdown unless

the work is deemed as critical or emergency which stated in The Star (30 May). For

example, the traffic lights that will affect the road user safety can be repaired during the

nationwide lockdown period as it will bring inconvenience or hazard to the environment,

workers and public as well. As the public infrastructure is also one of the critical

construction works, therefore the construction site is able to continue operating during

the lockdown period. He also mentioned that there are limitations of only 60% worker’s

capacity allowed in the site for the construction works in order to comply with the SOP

that was announced by the government in Malaysia. These strict SOP has caused the

construction site workers to lose their job in total of losing 30% of manpower and income

from the construction industry (Afizah Ayob 2021). As the construction companies

themselves are facing the difficulties in the financial problem, therefore there are many

workers who are not able to get paid by the company or even being laid off by their

employers as well. Thus, all of these have resulted in many construction workers for

losing their job and facing economic hardship in the meantime (Biswas et al. 2021).

Normally the workers that work in the construction site will be paid hourly or monthly

9
depending on the work scope and experiences. Due to the limitations of worker’s capacity

in construction sites, some of the workers are only allowed to work for a certain day in a

week or some of the workers will not be needed totally in the few months due to the

restrictions especially for the general workers. This bad situation has brought the workers

into serious conditions as they have faced the huge deductions of income for a day, even

more than a month. It is a worse situation for the migrant workers as they are normally

paid by lower rates which according to their own productivity in the construction sites

during the whole Covid-19 pandemic (Wahab 2020).

Figure 2.1 Labour Productivity of First Quarter 2020

10
 Table 2.1 The Detailed Labour Productivity

Labour Labour Gross Total Total

Sector Productivity Productivity Domestic Employmen Hour
Per Per Hour Product t Worked
Employmen Worked
t
Agriculture -8.9 -7.1 -8.7 0.1 -1.8
Mining & -0.4 3.8 -2.0 -1.7 -5.6
Quarrying
Manufacturing -0.2 2.2 1.5 1.6 -0.7
Construction -5.3 -1.6 -7.9 -2.7 -6.4
Services 0.5 3.7 3.1 2.5 -0.6
Total -0.8 2.1 0.7 1.6 -1.4

2.2.2 Impacts on Company

In the effect of Covid-19 Pandemic, it has brought and pushed many companies in

different kinds of sectors to their toughest time in their whole managing business life. The

Ernst & Young (2020) mentioned that there are having 32% of big and listed companies

have suffered their downtime in daily operations and 31% of small and medium sized

enterprises experienced delays in completing their construction project due to the various

lockdown and movement control. Based on the For Construction Pros (2021), it shows

several types of construction such as non-residential building, heavy and civil engineering

construction, residential building and so on are facing an employment decline growth in

February 2020 versus February 2021. Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) from

U.S. The construction industry with cooperation of the Bureau of Labour Statistics in the

U.S. has analysed data which shows the construction industry employment rate is having

significant changes in this big country, therefore Malaysia supposedly will suffer more

than that. Not only that, according to the sources from Global Data, it shows that there is

a significant decrease in the global construction output with up to 3.1% in 2021 which

contrasts with the forecast and prediction that did before this (Marsh 2021). The National

House Buyers Association (HBA) from Malaysia has come up with a report showing that

11
there are 17,000 companies affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and all of these companies

are the main drivers of the Malaysian construction industry (National House Buyers

Association 2020).

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Malaysia is now experiencing the worst economic

downturn in its history just as other developing countries are facing a deep recession

(Landau, 2020). Figure 2.2 has shown the GDP of Malaysia in Quarter 1,2020 has

decreased around 7.9% (Department of Statistics Malaysia Office Portal 2020). Therefore,

many business owners are facing a financial crisis especially for the construction

company. It is clear that the pandemic has brought many impacts to the construction

industry such as the shortage of supply of the construction materials by the supplier due

to the country's restriction rules and conditions in order to curb the spread of Covid-19.

As Construction Market Experts (2021) said, there is an increasing trend happening in the

price of raw materials for the construction industry in the end of 2020 and the first quarter

of 2021 as the disruption of supply chains from other countries has caused the limited

stock availability in the market. Some countries such as China implement their own

restrictions rules on shipping material to other countries to stop the spread of Coronavirus

and resulting in increasing the shipping prices and the material prices will be increasing

accordingly as well. There is research that proves that some of the material prices will be

increasing 7% to 8% such as steel, timber that are expected to increase double in a year

(Dunkling 2021). Construction materials shortage and double price increase have resulted

in many construction companies not able to afford the increased price of construction

materials and end up with non-completion of construction works or being forced to delay

their works due to the insufficient working capital (Hoffer 2021). An investigation was

produced by Ernst & Young showing that only 2% of construction companies have

prepared well for the pandemic of Covid-19 (Harapko 2021). All of these impacts will

12
lead the construction companies to lose their profit (Hoffer 2021). Thus, the construction

company should use their best endeavours to avoid the delayed project happening in the

construction projects (Marsh 2021).

Figure 2.2 Malaysia's GDP from Q1 2017 to Q1 2020

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, CIDB has released a list of SOP for the construction

industry to resume operations during the lockdown period (CIDB, 2020). In this list of

SOP, there are many restrictions that have been forced by the Government in order to

curb the spread of Covid-19 in the construction industry. For example, the number of

workers shall be reduced to the minimum level of only 50% of capacity and are allowed

to work as usual no matter in construction site or construction office. They are

encouraging the management to have home virtual meetings to minimise the contact

between employer and employees. Therefore, all of the construction companies should

make a major effort to adapt the strategies to comply with the SOP enforced by the

Government. As (Hoffer 2021) said, up to 75% of construction companies need to adjust

their working operations and working process to continuously improve and follow the

strategies on curbing the spread of Covid-19 such as practising the social distance

13
between employer and employees. The construction company has the responsibility to

ensure on providing the safe and covid-19 free working environment for their employees

in order to protect them during the working time (Marsh 2021).

In a construction project, there is a contractual relationship that will involve a legal

framework and relationship in order to complete the whole construction project. The

contractual relationship can be between the Employer and Contractor, Employer and

Consultant, Contractor and Subcontractor and so on (Designing Building 2020). The

parties will be entering the mutual contractual arrangement that is enforced by law with

written up an arrangement on the terms and conditions. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic,

the government has implemented various types of lock down and restriction to mitigate

the spread of Covid-19 and the result is that the construction works need to postpone and

delay for complying with the SOP that was announced by the government. As a result,

both of the contractual parties have suffered the impacts that brought by the pandemic.

The Contractor needs to suffer from deploying the labour, procuring the materials of site,

management of the personnel in the construction projects and the Employer need to suffer

from facing the project delays which affect their financial turnaround (Rahmat Lim &

Partners 2020). Before the PAM Contract 2018 (With Quantities) and P.W.D Form, it

shows that the Covid-19 pandemic is defined as Force Majeure, many contractual parties

will argue and dispute to get Extension of Time (EOT) and Loss and Expenses (L&E) in

order to minimise their loss in the unexpected event.

2.3 Strategies of managing and mitigating the spread of Covid-19

Based on what Farah Solhi (2021) stated in her articles, there are 91 percent of total cluster

in Selangor area are come from workplace which 80 percent of cluster are come from

factory and 11percent of cluster are come from construction workplaces. Not only that,

14
there is one research that mentioned that the construction workplace is having higher

transmission risk as compared to other industries. The construction industry required all

the workers to have physical contact to carry out the construction task, therefore it was

considered as high transmission risk of Covid-19 among each other (Pasco, Fox, Johnston,

Pignone & Meyers 2020, pp. e2026373-e2026373). As Biswas et al. (2021) mentioned,

the construction industry is one of the most important sectors since it is major in providing

economic advantages to the country. As a result, Malaysia implementing the various types

of nationwide lockdown during the early years of 2020 has caused the whole country as

well as construction companies to be facing a significant financial crisis. At the beginning

of outbreak Covid-19 in Malaysia, the prime minister’s office announced that the whole

country will be entering into FMCO, where only the essential service and some of the

economic sectors which include the critical construction work are able to operate as usual

during the period (Skrine 2021). Drawing back to the second half year of 2021, the prime

minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin finally announced that the whole country will be

entering into the National Recovery Plan after the long period of lockdown. This recovery

plan will be helping all the economic sectors to resume their operations and encouraging

all the people to be corporate and concentrate in order to achieve the recovering phase

from Covid-19 pandemic. The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) with

cooperation of CIDB, has implemented and published a full list of SOP for the whole

construction industry in order to let the construction field working during the Covid-19

pandemic according to the phase of National Recovery Plan that the state is in which

categories (Skrine 2021). Based on the SOP attached in Table 2.2 and Table 2.3, the state

in Phase 1 of National Recovery Plan, the construction industry is only able to resume

operation if the work is critical such as maintenance and repair work that will bring danger

and harm to the people and public or environment, the contractor that has Grade 1, 2, 3

15
and Grade 4 able to work with their construction project as usual and so on. In Phase 2 of

the National Recovery Plan, the site preparation works such as site clearing, setting out

and earthworks are able to resume. Not only that, the highway and road work construction

is also able to resume the work as usual during this particular phase. Moreover, the state

that entered Phase 3 of the National Recovery Plan allowed all types of construction work

to resume operations. The National Recovery Plan is a measure that is able to assist the

state and country to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, at the same time it also will be

able to stop and minimise the spreading of viruses among all the workplaces (The Star

2021).

Table 2.2 Phase 1 in National Recovery Plan

16
 Table 2.3 Phase 2 & 3 in National Recovery Plan

Based on the SOP that was implemented by the CIDB, there are various types of steps

that need to be taken before entering the construction workplace which include that all of

the persons that wanted to enter the construction site need to undergo a Covid-19

screening test for ensuring they are safe enough to work. On top of that, the measuring of

temperature and screening of symptoms should be implemented by the Occupational

Health and Safety Committees (OHSA) trained companies for screening every day and

record down results every day for keeping the period of at least 3 months (Zul Rafique &

Partners 2020). Wearing the face mask will be compulsory for entering the construction

workplace even though they have no any symptoms of Covid-19 as the face mask will

slow down the spread of Covid-19 and protect each other in the construction workplace

(CDC 2021). Furthermore, the employer has the responsibility of ensuring all the staff

17
and employees that work in the construction workplace need to practise social distancing

which is at least 1 metre between each other when the situations allow. As the government

poses the limitation that all the construction workers are only able to have movement

between home and the workplace, the construction companies are forced to adjust the

transport arrangement for the workers to travel between their home and the workplace.

As a result, the construction companies need to undergo the sanitization and disinfection

procedures before and after every use for the vehicles that are used to transport the

construction worker to the workplace. In addition, the construction workplace is

encouraged to prepare and provide the sanitizer equipment such as hand sanitizer which

contain more than 60% of alcohol, fogging machines, hand soap and clean water supply

for the workers to emphasise hygiene. In the same way, the construction companies are

compelled to reduce their number of workers to the minimum or at least 50 percent

capacity of the current workers and encourage those construction office workers that did

not require any physical activities work from home to minimise the spread of Covid-

19. In addition, the employer is advised to hold a meeting or provide proper training

regarding the preventive measures and accurate information to ensure all the employees

in the construction field are aware of the risk of becoming Covid-19 positive and how to

avoid the spread of the virus as well (CIDB, 2020). On the other hand, there is still the

possibility of getting infected by the Covid-19 in the construction workplace even though

all of the parties have been working together to minimise the risk. Zul Rafique & Partners

(2020) has come up with a guideline for the Centralised Labour Quarters (CLQ) and

worker accommodation during the whole MCO period. Once there are any of the workers

having the symptoms of Covid-19 such as sore throat, coughing, body temperature higher

than 37.5 Celsius or difficulty breathing, the companies shall arrange the worker to isolate

themselves in a special area with the cooperation of Emergency Response Team (ERT)

18
and site supervisor to immediately to stop the spread of viruses among each other

(Department of Occupational Safety and Health 2020). The CLQ has the responsibility

of monitoring the patient of Covid-19 closely during the whole quarantine period; if the

patient has not recovered and conditions have become more serious, he shall inform the

companies in order to arrange for the check up from the doctor. Not only that, the CLQ

is also responsible to track all the close contact or casual contact that directly or indirectly

ways with the positive Covid-19 patient and monitor them closely for safety purposes. It

is recommended that the construction site needs to be evaluated for the possibility of

shutting down the construction site and having Covid-19 screening test for all of the

workers before leaving the site, as this could result in a cluster of pandemics in

construction sites. Equally important, the construction company should hire a competent

team of sanitising and cleaning personnel for the affected area which complies to the

guidelines that are imposed by the Government. It is essential that the employer has to

collaborate with the construction involved parties in order to apply the best practices for

mitigating the loss and damages, as well as continually learn from the past mistake and

take more effective measures and efforts to prevent the Covid-19 outbreaks on

construction sites (Bohm & Miktus 2020). In June 2021, CIDB conducted a programme

called Construction Industry Vaccination Programme known as (CIVac). The

immunisation programme is under a Public-Private partnership with the Covid-19

industry. The aim of this programme is to make sure the construction workers are able to

return to normalcy so that they can continue and speed up their construction projects that

were stopped and delayed by Covid-19 pandemic (Birruntha Subramaniam, 2021). Up to

40,000 construction workers were offered voluntarily to participate in the vaccination

programme and the zones that aimed to get vaccinated are the central, south, east and

north Peninsula and Sabah, Sarawak as well. Bernama (2021) also mentioned that, 70

19
percent are Malaysian and the rest percentage are the foreigner workers. This programme

ended on 28 September 2021 with a total of 100,180 construction workers being fully

vaccinated.

2.4 Effectiveness of SOP in preventing the Covid-19 pandemic

As Syafiqah Salim (2022) mentioned in his article, Malaysia has recorded about 162,793

of Covid-19 confirmed cases on 11 February to 17 February 2022 which had an 85.75

percent increase compared to the previous week which were 4 February to 10 February

2022 as shown in Figure 2.3. These figures have become the latest new highest record of

Covid-19 since it hits our country in the early year of 2020.

Figure 2.3 Weekly Covid-19 cases VS weekly recoveries in Malaysia

Ngui (2021) also mentioned that the Covid-19 daily confirmed cases have suddenly

surged up to five digits in the second half year of 2020 even though the country is

implementing the various measures and lockdowns to stop the spread of Covid-19.

According to Kaos (2021) reports, there were 630 of Covid-19 confirmed cases in the

construction site which was named Damanlela Construction and it reached the highest

number record in the Kuala Lumpur area. Another article also reported that 428 of Covid-

20
19 confirmed cases were found in the construction workplace by the Health Ministry on

1st August 2021 as Chan (2021) mentioned in the article. As a result of cases increasing

continuously, many have questioned the effectiveness of implementing the SOP at

construction sites. Ngui (2021) also mentioned that the main cause of the outbreak is the

emergence of the extreme infections of Delta and Omicron variants, which are spread by

airborne transmission of the virus. According to the SOP that was implemented by the

CIDB which was also mentioned in objective 2 in this research for the construction

workers to comply with the rules and regulations set by CIDB such as Covid-19 Screening

Test, social distancing, wear a mask, maintain hygiene such as disinfection and

sanitization and reduce the 50% of working capacity in construction industry.

2.4.1 Covid-19 Screening Test

Kiniguide (2020) mentioned that the Bruce Aylward as an Assistant of Director-General

of World Health Organisation has mentioned in his article that he can prove that Covid-

19 screening test is the most effectives measure to detect the positives of Covid-19

patients as he has experiences in China. The screening test is not only able to test positive

for the Covid-19 but also is able to trace the person who is having direct or indirect contact

with the confirmed case patient and self-quarantine for monitoring their own situation in

order to confirmed there are any potential or symptomatic happened during quarantine.

In Malaysia, there are two types of swab tests available for the people to test the active

Covid-19 virus in the body during the whole pandemic. The first one will be RT-PCR

known as Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction which is tested by detecting

the virus with identification of genetic material (RNA) by using throats swab, nasal or

saliva testing that may be available in the public settings. The PCR test has been classified

as the gold standard by the Ministry of Health (MoH) for detecting the active Covid-19

21
infection in the affected people’s bodies. It is having a very high sensitivity with around

(not greater than 90 percent) compared to other screening tests, however there will be

limitations on it which is more expensive than other tests and need longer time to produce

the results. The second test is the RTK-Ag test which is also known as Rapid Test Kit-

Antigen Test. It is a test that is used to detect the Covid-19 infection virus by using our

viral proteins and commonly used by the public as this test has been announced as an

alternative test of PCR by the government which will have the result in a shorter time.

When all of the construction workers have taken the Covid-19 screening test such as (RT-

PCR) before returning to the construction workplaces, the likelihood of Covid-19

transmission at construction sites will be reduced, and able to minimise the spread of

Covid-19 mentioned in Malaysiakini (23 March 2020).

2.4.2 Social Distancing

WHO has mentioned that the Covid-19 transmission will be spread over each other when

the peoples are having closer contact between each other in short range of airborne

transmission. The viruses normally will be spread from the infected person’s nose or

mouth with a few liquid particles that are not able to be seen by eyes easily. Once the

person has had close contact with the infected person that came from droplet transmission

such as direct contact to the nose, eyes and mouth, the person will be getting infected very

soon. Based on the SOP that was implemented by the CIDB (2020), it stated that there

are a minimum 1 metre of social distancing should be practised among each other

especially for those who are working in the construction site to practise social distancing

while they are performing their works in construction sites. Nevertheless, the latest

variants of Covid-19 such as Omicron and Delta are able to spread faster and more

contagious compared to Coronavirus, thus there is research that shows that it is best and

22
encourages the public to practising at least 2 metre of social distancing will be more

effective. Ueki, Furusawa, Iwatsuki-Horimoto, Imai, Kabat, Nishimura & Kawaoka

(2020, pp. e00637-20) demonstrated that the infectious virus may be identified 1 metre

away from the virus transmitter in airborne simulation trials. As a result, a one-metre

social distance is insufficient to prevent the virus from spreading, so construction workers

must maintain a physical gap of at least two metres between them.

2.4.3 Wear a mask

Mask-wearing is a very important step and measure for the construction workers to

prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus in the construction workplace. Mayo Clinic

(2022) has mentioned that wearing a face mask is able to slow down the spread of

coronavirus disease (Covid-19) if combined with other safety measures such as physical

distancing, hand sanitising and so on. Not only that, the U.S. Centres for Disease Control

and Prevention (CDC) highlighted that wearing a well-fitted and good condition mask in

public areas is compulsory if the area is a hotspot of positive Covid-19 cases, no matter

if the person has been vaccinated or not vaccinated. The article also mentioned that there

are several masks that are produced in the market that are able to stop the spread of

coronavirus. Medical masks which are known as surgical masks are meant and produced

for the wearer to avoid contact with sprays which contain germ or droplets which contain

virus from others when people sneeze or cough in front of us. The wearer shall make sure

the medical mask is able to have form-fitting and knotting the ear loops as well. KN95

mask is a type of mask respiratory protection that complies with the international

regulations. When the wearer inhales, it will able to filters out the large and minute of

particles which providing better protection than a medical mask. When purchasing a

KN95, you need to be wary because many imitation masks are sold that do not fulfil

23
quality standards in several platforms such as Lazada, Shopee and so on. On the other

hand, N95 mask is a type of respirator that complies with some country’s safety

regulations as the maximum level of protection is provided by a N95. When the wearer

inhales, it will able to filters out the large and minute of particles which providing better

protection than a medical mask, therefore the general public can use non-surgical N95s.

Another mask will be a clothing mask that is designed to catch the droplets when a person

coughs, talks or sneezes. Cloth masks composed of numerous layers of tightly woven

fabric, such as cotton, are the most effective. More droplets will not be able to get through

or escape from a mask with layers. As the variant of viruses such as Delta and Omicron

will be spreading faster through the air, it is recommended that wearing two layers of

mask will have more protections from the infection of coronavirus (Rashvinjeet &

Timbuong 2021). The purpose of the airborne simulation studies was to see how effective

various types of face masks were at preventing viral transmission. It was discovered that

N95 masks had the maximum protective efficiency, which ranged between 80 and 90

percent. Despite the fact that the N95 mask completely covered the face, the virus was

not completely blocked by the uninfected wearer. The infected N95 mask wearer, on the

other hand, exhibited a better protective efficiency against virus spread. As a result, both

the virus recipient and the virus spreader wearing masks were able to effectively stop the

infection from spreading (Ueki et al. 2020).

2.4.4 Maintain hygiene

As CDC (2021) said, the Covid-19 virus can appear anywhere and be able to land on any

surface. If people touch certain surfaces and then touch their mouth, nose, or eyes, they

may become contaminated. In most of the cases, touching a surface poses a little danger

of infection. The Coronavirus has been proven to be contagious for up to nine days on

24
inanimate surfaces such as glass, plastic and metal at room temperature (Vardoulakis,

Sheel, Lal & Gray, 2020). During the changing of working shifts, as well as at the

beginning and conclusion of using shared objects, surfaces such as shared equipment,

vehicles, tools and machines, must be cleansed and disinfected often. This can effectively

safeguard workers from a pandemic of Covid-19. Therefore, handwashing with soap and

water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is the most effective technique to avoid

infection from surfaces and the infection can also be reduced by cleaning and sanitising

surfaces. CDC has come out with a guideline intended for buildings in community

settings and is not meant for healthcare facilities or other facilities with special cleaning

and disinfection laws or procedures. When cleaning the surfaces, it is recommended to

use the products which containing detergent or soap that able to reduce the virus and

germs which occurs on the surfaces by minimising the risk of infections from the virus

surfaces. Cleaning surfaces one time per day is enough for the spaces if there is no contact

of confirmed cases of Covid-19. On the other hand, if there are any Covid-19 patients

who tested positive in the construction workplace within 24 hours, then the companies

shall implement the sanitisation service to disinfect the affected areas. The companies

should ensure that the cleaning staff has been trained well on the proper way of using

products to clean and disinfect the common area in the construction workplace. As a

construction worker, it is important to keep on washing hands with soap and water for at

least 20 seconds immediately after removing the gloves that might contain viruses. In the

conditions of no soap and water, the construction workers shall use alcohol-based

sanitizer with at least 60% to sanitise the hand that will contain virus spread in

construction workplaces efficiently (CDC 2021).

25
2.4.5 Reduce 50% worker’s capacity

Based on the International Labour Organisation (ILO), it states that 81 millions of jobs

have been lost in the year of 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic nationwide among Asia-

Pacific countries. The Figure 2.4 shows the losses of working hours according to the

region and subregion in the first three quarters of 2020. Although it is a critical issue that

is brought to the world, the worker capacity will still need to be reduced in order to

mitigate the spread of Covid-19 in construction workplaces (Internal Labour Organization

2020). The Amir Yusof (2021) reported that 80 percent of workers in the public sector

and 40 percent of the workers in the private sector are forced to work from home to avoid

contracting with each other during the pandemic. Reducing the movement of workers (of

people) by reducing the worker capacity in offices is one of the strategies of the minister

to curb the spread of Covid-19. The main reason for imposing reductions on worker’s

capacity is that it will enable the construction workplace to be safe enough for the workers

to construct the works and this limitation is able to avoid the high risk of contracting and

spreading the Covid-19 as the construction workplace has been considered as a place of

gather large number of workers (OECD 2020).

Figure 2.4 3rd quarter and projection for 4th quarter of working loss

26
2.4.6 Vaccination of Covid-19

The development of vaccine which prevent the Covid-19 virus is a global priority which

also outlining the potential of hurdles and stakes is crucial since regulatory and medical

choices are made based on benefit-risk calculations. Normally, a vaccine needs long

journey to develop but as the Covid-19 has become priority concerned serious virus,

therefore it is unprecedented that vaccination of Covid-19 needs to be approved and

distributed in a large scale before the end of 2020 or until 2021 (Graham 2020). At the

first phase, the vaccinations were aimed to the elderly as they are having a slow immune

response to the vaccination than other young individuals and they are the weakest

individuals to fight against the virus. Not later soon after the elderly, the young adults

need to get vaccinated as well to protect against each other from the spread of Covid-19

(Lipsitch & Dean 2020). CIVac programme which was undertaken by the CIDB and led

by the Ministry of Works known as Kementerian Kerja Raya (KKR) to give the

opportunity of vaccination to the construction workers on a voluntary basis and proved

that the vaccination will help on economy recovery in Malaysia if all the construction

workers get vaccinated (CIDB, 2021). There are several types of Covid-19 vaccines has

offered in Malaysia’s National Vaccination Programme such as AstraZeneca, Pfizer-

BioNTech, Sinovac, CanSino Biologics, Johnson & Johnson and the Spuntik V. Each of

them are coming from different origin such as United Kingdom (UK), United States (US),

China and so on with different kind of type but having a same objective which is to reduce

the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. By vaccination, it proved that the effectiveness of

reducing the Covid-19 patients as shown in Figure 2.4. According to the figure, it shows

that there are 88 percent of reducing the risk of infection and 86 percent for the

symptomatic disease (Codeblue 2021).

27
 Figure 2.5 The infection and symptomatic for partially and fully vaccinated

2.5 Summary

In this particular chapter, there is some information which is related to the research topic

by using the literature review. A wide range of sources such as journal articles, reported

newspaper and electronic publications have been used and reviewed for getting all the

necessary information. The subject regarding the impacts that brought by the Covid-19

Pandemic, the several strategies that able to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 in the

construction workplace as well as other objectives of this research has been examined.

Based on the literature review that was obtained from secondary sources, there are two

categories of main impacts brought by Covid-19 pandemic and five (5) effectiveness of

implementing the SOP has been investigated and identified in this particular chapter.

28
 CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

Kothari (2004) argues that in layman's terms, research commonly refers to the exploration

of knowledge and research methodology refers to a method for resolving a research

problem in a methodical and systematic manner. By using this research methodology, it

could be understood that the way of researching is able to be done scientifically. In this

particular chapter, it will show the definition and explanation of the method that was used

to collect data for carrying out the study goals and aim of this research. It consists of a

research process, data collection technique, sampling method, method of data analysis

and questionnaire design.

29
3.2 Research Process

Pick an area
of researh

Finalizing Developing the

the study research aim,
objectives including
research question or
fomulating hypotheses

Undertake
Conclusion
a litreture
of research
review

Picking the
Data
method of data
analysis
collection
Gather the
primary
data

Figure 3.1 Research Process (Dudovskiy, 2022)

3.3 Technic Data Collection

3.3.1 Primary Data Collection

Normally, the primary data collection means the researcher will be collecting the data and

information from primary sources which is from those interviews, questionnaires, surveys

and so on to get the data directly. Formplus (2020) states that, the aim and objective of

the research and the population that needs to target for collecting data need to be identified

before choosing the appropriate data collection source. Basically, collecting primary data

sources can be done by using qualitative, quantitative or a mixture of qualitative and

quantitative approaches for exploring the aim and objectives of the research. In this

research, the quantitative approaches are used and adopted as the method of research. The

30
questionnaire survey approach is used to gather information or data which relating to the

research objectives from respondents. This method is useful for obtaining the primary

data from a large number of respondents by the researcher.

3.3.1.1 Qualitative Approaches

Qualitative research usually refers to obtaining data by using conversational type of

communication or open-ended questions for the market research. The data collected

normally will indicate in word type such as understanding the thoughts, experiences or

concept from others. This approach is able to have a deeper understanding and gaining

wide insights on the research topic that is aimed with. The common methods for

qualitative approaches are interviews which ask some open ended with the targeted

respondents verbally, having discussion with the group of people regarding the topic in

order to exchange ideas and opinion together, literature review which searches other

author’s articles to gain more surveys.

3.3.1.2 Quantitative Approaches

Basically, the quantitative approaches are one of the methods that gathers all the data with

a systematic way of investigation. The data collected usually will indicate in numbers,

graphical data and so on. It enables us to collect the information by spreading out those

online polls, questionnaires and online surveys to the target population for filling up the

required information. These approaches can be used to develop the truth facts of a subject

for predicting the future potential of the service or product. The common methods for

quantitative approaches are sending out specific surveys which include multiple choice

or closed questions, observing the unchanged situation such as the natural environment

and so on.

31
3.3.1.3 Mixed Method Research

As the name implies, the mixed method is one of the ways which combines the qualitative

and quantitative methods for collecting the data of research. This method enables the

researcher to have more complete information rather than a standalone qualitative or

quantitative study as it has the advantages of both methods. Usually, the mixed method

research is used in some complexity and multidisciplinary settings of research. As it is a

combination of both methods, therefore it will consist of two types of collection data

methods which are interviews and questionnaires. The Table 3.1 has shown the difference

between Qualitative Approach and Quantitative Approach (Streefkerk 2019)

Table 3.1 Qualitative Approach VS Quantitative Approach

Qualitative Approach Quantitative Approach

Mainly on exploring research ideas and Mainly on testing the hypothesis or theory
developing a hypothesis or theory

Data analysed by categorizing, Data analysed by statistical analysis and

interpreting and summarizing math

Proven by words Proven by graphs, tables and numbers

Only few respondents required Required more respondent

Normally will be open-ended question Normally will be closed, which is multiple

choice questions
The major terms: context, subjectivity, The major terms: measurement, testing,
complexity, understanding replicability, objectivity

3.3.2 Secondary Data Collection

Secondary data collection means by the data which is obtained from the primary data

collection and transferred to readily available for those researchers to apply on their own

research. The first priority of carrying out research is to conduct a literature review which

is known as data collection of theoretical data and for secondary data collection. The
32
literature review is able to address all the relevant research questions by integrating the

overall perspectives and findings. The main sources for the secondary data collection

which is literature review is studying all the available online sources such as journal

articles, books published by several researchers on the matter of impact of Covid-19 in

the construction industry.

In this research, Chapter 2 has highlighted all the literature reviews that related to the

impact of Covid-19 pandemic in the construction industry, the strategies of managing and

mitigating the spread of Covid-19 pandemic in the construction workplaces and the

effectiveness of implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in preventing the

spread of the Covid-19 pandemic among construction workers. All of this has resulted in

enhancing the knowledge of the research topic and creating a proper and appropriate

questionnaire survey in this research.

3.4 Research Design

The research design is the overarching method that is used to choose to integrate the

different components of the study in a logical and cohesive manner, ensuring that the

researchers might effectively address the research problem. Basically, it is the blueprint

for data collecting, measurement, and data analysis. The general strategy that is used to

decide on conducting the research is referred to as the research design. The purpose of a

research design is to guarantee that the evidence which gathers allows to successfully and

explicitly address the research challenge. Getting information relating to the research

subject in social sciences research usually requires determining the type of evidence

required to test a hypothesis, evaluate a programme, or adequately describe and assess

the meaning of an observable phenomena. While conducting the research, researchers

might use a variety of data collection methods, such as a case study, interview or

33
questionnaire. The most typical technique of collecting data in order to meet the goals of

this study is through the distribution of questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. As a

result, the distribution of questionnaires is able to save costs and speed up the whole data

collection process. However, there are some constraints or restrictions that the

questionnaire design must adhere to, such as the need for basic and straightforward

questions. Aside from that, some respondents or industries will likely disregard the

students' questionnaire because it is not their top priority for them to complete.

3.5 Questionnaire Design

For the questionnaire in this research, it will be divided into four sections which asking

closed-ended and consist Section A, Section B, Section C and Section D. The

questionnaire will be designed and set in “Google Form” as it only requires a few minutes

to collect the needed information from the targeted respondents which are easier and more

efficient than other platforms. Below is the arrangement of questionnaires that will be

spreading out to the targeted respondents:

34
 Measures to be implemented for the
construction indusry in Malaysia during
Covid-19 pandemic

Impacts of Covid- Strategies on Effectiveness on

Respondent's 19 pandemic to the mitigating and implementing SOP
Profile construction managing the spread on the construction
industry of Covid-19 pandemic industry

Q1 Q1 Q1 Q1

Q2 Q2
Q2 Q2
Q3
Q3
Q3 Q3
Q4
Q4
Q4 Q5 Q4

Q5 Q6
Q5 Q5
Q7
Q6 Q6
Q8

Q7 Q9 Q7

Q10

35
 i. Section A: Demographic information of the respondents

In this section, it will require the respondents to fill up their personal information such as

name, age, working position in the company, level of education and related working

experience. The targeted respondents will be the workers who worked with construction

companies located in Malaysia. The questionnaire will be asked with closed ended

questions which only have limited choice for the respondents to answer. In this section,

they are not expected to answer their opinion in the questionnaire. For example, the

question will be limited to “Male or Female” in closed ended questions form like the table

shown below.

What is your gender?

Male
Female

ii. Section B: Impacts of Covid-19 pandemic on construction industry

Section B is the most important section among other sections as it is used to show the

answer from objective 1 that was mentioned in literature review earlier. The question will

be asked with a checklist of questions with multiple answers so that the target respondents

can tick the related questions that they have suffered from the Covid-19 pandemic on the

construction industry on both impacts of workers themselves or the impacts of the

company.

iii. Section C: The strategies of mitigating and managing the spread of Covid-19

pandemic in the construction industry

Section C will be mainly focused on the objective 2 in literature review that mentioned

earlier by using 5-point Likert scale. The targeted respondents are able to express and

show their level of agreement with the statement of question mentioned in this section by

36
selecting from “Strongly Disagree” to “Strongly Agree” with the level from 1 to 5.

Following table shows the example of a question that will be included in the questionnaire.

Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly

Disagree Agree
50% reduction on
workers capacity at
workplaces

iv. Section D: The Effectiveness of implementing SOP in preventing the spread

of Covid-19 in construction industry

Section D will be similar to Section C which uses the similar method which is 5 point

Likert scale for the targeted respondents to answer the question. In this section, it will

mention the question which related to the last research objectives regarding the

effectiveness of implementing the SOP in the construction industry to stop the spreading

of Covid-19. The scale will be set from “Strongly Ineffective” to “Strongly Effective” for

the targeted respondents to express their thoughtfulness.

Strongly Ineffective Neutral Effective Strongly

Ineffective Effective
50% reduction on
workers capacity at
workplaces

3.6 Research Sampling

The sampling in research means by it is a progress or a technique of choosing an

appropriate sample or a sample of a population that is used to determine the parameters

37
or features of the entire population. In this research, a sampling technique and process

will be used in a study to pick respondents from populations to create a sample size so

that the data obtained is reliable, narrow and relevant to the research's topic. For this

research, the method of sampling that will be used in the quantitative research is the non-

probability sampling method used to target the population with non-random ways for

obtaining the data for the research purpose. The non-probability sampling method

consists of four types of sampling which includes convenience sampling, purposive

sampling, quota sampling and the snowball sampling as well. In this study, non-

probability sampling with purposive sampling will be used. Purposive sampling is the

superior option when it comes to costs and time considerations because it allows the

researcher to seek out subjects with specific qualities. The target population for this study

is anyone in the construction sector with more than 1.5 years of experience and knowledge.

As a result, purposive sampling enables the researcher to choose the participant in order

to obtain more accurate data for the questionnaire. Since this method eliminates unneeded

participants, the approach helps to save a lot of time and money.

3.7 Data analysis technique

SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) is software that allows different sorts

of researchers to conduct advanced data analysis. Furthermore, this programme functions

as a phobia reducer for statistical and quantitative data from respondents and research

findings. The SPSS software is used in this study to provide output in the form of

graphs, charts, tables, and other visual aids to aid in a thorough comprehension of the

findings. This study employs a variety of statistical techniques, including descriptive

statistics, reliability tests such as Cronbach Alpha and inferential statistics such as

Independent Sample t-Test.

38
In a research paper or a study, descriptive statistics is one of the ways for listing and

recording the basic information and aspects of the data. It will serve as the foundation for

quantitative analysis of virtually all data using a combination of basic graphical analysis

in these statistics. Creating tables of means and quantiles, using the dispersion method,

and using cross-tabulations to test hypotheses are all examples of descriptive statistics

techniques. As a consequence, it is a good choice for generating the results for the above-

mentioned objectives one, two, and three because it describes and shows the data using

simple and relevant graphs with a summary directly.

Apart from that, Lee Cronbach invented Cronbach's Alpha, commonly known as

coefficient alpha in the early 1950s. It is a test that assesses the consistency and reliability

of multi-question scales such as the 5-point Likert scale (McLeod 2006). It may be

determined whether there is any similarity between the surveys and findings using a 5-

point Likert scale, and if there is, it can be termed high reliability. In summary, a high

alpha value can be obtained by asking many questions in questionnaires; on the other

hand, a low alpha value indicates that the questionnaire is insufficient to provide a result

that is connected to the study purpose. One of the most important steps before distributing

surveys to respondents is to ensure that the value of alpha remains high. This value can

be maintained or reached by including questions about the various impact of the Covid-

19 pandemic on the construction industry, strategies for mitigating and managing the

spread of Covid-19 for the construction industry, and the effectiveness of implementing

SOP in preventing the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic among construction workers.

Aside from that, inferential statistics are utilised in the research to calculate with the goal

of generalising the results of a sample to the entire population of interest. Basically, the

researchers will frequently use it to create comparisons between groups and measures of

39
specific subjects in research from huge groups of people by examining and employing

smaller samples. In general, if simple statistics such as standard deviation or means are

used, inferential statistics must be used to draw a conclusion about the population and

confirm that the sample generated unbiased estimates.

3.8 Summary

In short, the research method that will be applied in this research is the quantitative

research approaches. The questionnaire will be distributing to all of the targeted

respondent through e-mail for filling up the information in order to obtaining data. Not

only that, this chapter has also discussed and explained the technique of data collection

in order to prepare questionnaire for the targeted respondents.

40
 CHAPTER 4 DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULT

4.1 Introduction

This chapter is a discussion of the findings and data that were collected through the

questionnaire sent to the respondents in order to accomplish the research objectives and

provide answers to the research questions. All the collected data results will be analysed,

organized and calculated by SPSS software and the data will be converted into tabular

form. In this chapter, there are altogether two sections to describe the data after analysis

by SPSS software which are descriptive statistics and reliability tests.

4.2 Reliability Test

In this research, Cronbach's Alpha was used to measure and determine the internal

consistency, which means indicating the degree of correlation of a group of items as a

population. As shown in Table 4.10, it demonstrates the interpretation of the standard

Alpha Cronbach values used in the study. According to Table 4.10, it shows that if the

Cronbach value is less than 0.50 means that the level of reliability is unacceptable and

unreliable, 0.50-0.59 is at the poor level, 0.60-0.69 is at the problematic level, 0.70-0.78

is at the acceptable level, 0.80-0.89 is good, and more than 0.90 is classified as excellent

(Siswaningsih, Firman, Zackiyah & Khoirunnisa 2017, p. 012117). Table 4.11, it shows

the summary of case handling of the 70 respondents who participated in the questionnaire.

In addition, in Table 4.12, the number of items is the total number of questions in parts

B, C, and D of the questionnaire. As a result, the Cronbach's alpha in the reliability

statistic is 0.872, which is categorized as good in the criteria, which means that the data

in this study are coherent and reliable.

41
 Table 4.1 Cronbach's Alpha Level of Reliability

Cronbach’s Alpha Criteria Reliability Level

More than 0.90 Excellent
0.80-0.89 Good
0.70-0.79 Acceptable
0.60-0.69 Questionable
0.50-0.59 Poor
Less than 0.50 Unacceptable

Table 4.2 Case Processing Summary

N %
Cases Valid 70 100.0
Excludeda 0 .0
Total 70 100.0

Table 4.3 Reliability Statistics for Section B

Cronbach's Alpha N of Items

.406 7

Table 4.4 Reliability Statistics for Section C

Cronbach's Alpha N of Items

.880 10

Table 4.5 Reliability Statistics for Section D

Cronbach's Alpha N of Items

.815 7

4.3 Coding and Data Entry

After collecting the questionnaire responses from the respondents, the data will be

converted into Microsoft Excel form in order to analyse the data in SPSS software. To

begin with, the relevant data is required to be inserted into the Variable View tab

according to the respondent’s name, gender, age group and so on for the preparation of
42
analysis. In the SPSS software, there were several columns like the name, type, values,

measures and more need to be filled in as well while inserting the respondent’s data. As

in this research, all sections of the questions were designed to provide multiple choices

based on a closed-ended question format and were presented on a Likert scale so that the

respondents were able to pick and choose the most appropriate answer based on their

personal preferences. All the scales will need to have their own number and coding term

for referencing in order to analyse the data in the end. For instance, in Section A, the

gender will be categorised with “1” as the Male and “2” as the Female; in Section B, the

5-point Likert scale will be “1” as Strongly Disagree, “2” as Disagree, “3” as Neutral, “4”

as Agree and “5” for Strongly Agree. It can be explained that the higher the scale chosen

by the respondents, the higher their agreement with the questions. There is also a necessity

to carry out the error detection of the data after the application of the relevant code to the

software, as there is frequently a problem of data loss when the respondents were not

answering the questionnaire in the appropriate way. Below is the table that shown the 0%

of missing data;

Table 4.6 Summary of Data Screening for Section A

Cases
Valid Missing Total
N Percent N Percent N Percent
Gender 70 100.0% 0 0.0% 70 100.0%
Age Range 70 100.0% 0 0.0% 70 100.0%
Working Experience 70 100.0% 0 0.0% 70 100.0%
CIDB Grade 70 100.0% 0 0.0% 70 100.0%
Renovation works 70 100.0% 0 0.0% 70 100.0%
Residential buildings 70 100.0% 0 0.0% 70 100.0%
Commercial buildings 70 100.0% 0 0.0% 70 100.0%
Industrial buildings 70 100.0% 0 0.0% 70 100.0%
Infrastructure and heavy 70 100.0% 0 0.0% 70 100.0%
construction

43
 Table 4.7 Summary of Data Screening for Section B, C and D

Have your company 70 100.0% 0 0.0% 70 100.0%

experiences the impacts of
Covid-19
Job Loss 70 100.0% 0 0.0% 70 100.0%
Reduction in monthly income 70 100.0% 0 0.0% 70 100.0%
Difficult in paying daily 70 100.0% 0 0.0% 70 100.0%
expenses as no sources of
income for consecutive
months
Project delay due to 70 100.0% 0 0.0% 70 100.0%
restriction of rules and
regulations
Changes of workplace 70 100.0% 0 0.0% 70 100.0%
environment
Construction material's price 70 100.0% 0 0.0% 70 100.0%
increased
Financial problems 70 100.0% 0 0.0% 70 100.0%
Take a Covid-19 Screening 70 100.0% 0 0.0% 70 100.0%
Test
Wear a Mask 70 100.0% 0 0.0% 70 100.0%
Practice Social Distance 70 100.0% 0 0.0% 70 100.0%
Surfaces sanitization and 70 100.0% 0 0.0% 70 100.0%
disinfection
Maintain hand hygiene 70 100.0% 0 0.0% 70 100.0%
50% reduction on workers 70 100.0% 0 0.0% 70 100.0%
capacity at workplaces
Get Vaccinated 70 100.0% 0 0.0% 70 100.0%
Isolate in special area 70 100.0% 0 0.0% 70 100.0%

4.3 Section A: Demographic information of Respondents

Under this section, the questionnaires were designed to collect respondents' data and

background, such as gender, age group, work experience, CIDB rating, type of

construction mainly involved and the company ever suffered from Covid-19.

44
4.3.1 Respondent’s gender

After generating the data analysis, Table 4.8 and Figure 4.1 shows the frequency data that

the targeted respondents Female is having a higher percentage than the Male who works

in the construction industry.

Table 4.8 Gender of Respondents

Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent

Valid Male 31 44.3 44.3 44.3

Female 39 55.7 55.7 100.0

Total 70 100.0 100.0

Figure 4.1 Gender of Respondents

45
4.3.2 Respondent’s age range

Table 4.9 and Figure 4.2 showed the targeted respondent’s age range that was collected

from the questionnaire. It has been separated and grouped into 4 types of groups which

are 20-30 years old, 31-40 years old, 41-50 years old and above 50 years old. Of the total

of 70 respondents, there are 41 respondents are in the range of 20-30 years old which

archive the highest percentage among other age range.

Table 4.9 Age Range of Respondents

Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent

Valid 20-30 41 58.6 58.6 58.6
31-40 13 18.6 18.6 77.1
41-50 6 8.6 8.6 85.7
>50 10 14.3 14.3 100.0
Total 70 100.0 100.0

Figure 4.2 Age Range of Respondents

46
4.3.2 Respondent’s working experience

Table 4.10 and Figure 4.3 showed the targeted respondent's working experience collected

from the questionnaire. There is a total of 41 respondents are having less than 5 years’

experience in the construction industry which got the highest percentage among the other

3 groups. In addition, the respondent who had 5-10 years and more than 20 years are

having the same percentage which is 12.9%.

Table 4.10 Working Experience of Respondents

Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent

Valid <5years 41 58.6 58.6 58.6
5-10years 9 12.9 12.9 71.4
11-20years 11 15.7 15.7 87.1
>20years 9 12.9 12.9 100.0
Total 70 100.0 100.0

Figure 4.3 Working Experience of Respondents

47
4.3.3 Respondent’s CIDB grade

Table 4.11 and Figure 4.4 showed the CIDB grade of the company from the respondents

collected from the questionnaire. Of the total of 70 responses from respondents, 20 of

them are from the company that has CIDB Grade 5 which is the highest frequency among

other respondents. The second highest is Grade 7 with 18 respondents and the third

highest is Grade 1 which has 11 respondents.

Table 4.11 CIDB Grade of Respondents

Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent

Valid Grade1 11 15.7 15.7 15.7
Grade2 2 2.9 2.9 18.6
Grade3 5 7.1 7.1 25.7
Grade4 9 12.9 12.9 38.6
Grade5 20 28.6 28.6 67.1
Grade6 5 7.1 7.1 74.3
Grade7 18 25.7 25.7 100.0
Total 70 100.0 100.0

Figure 4.4 CIDB Grade of Respondents

48
4.3.4 Respondent’s mostly involved construction project

Table 4.12 and Figure 4.5 showed the most involved construction project among the

respondents collected from the questionnaire. There are six (6) types of construction

projects which are renovation works, residential buildings, commercial buildings,

industrial buildings and infrastructure and heavy construction for the respondent to

choose from. Both table and figure showed the result that there is up to 35.7% of 45

respondents are mainly involved in residential buildings construction projects. It is the

highest percentage compared to other types of construction projects. The renovation

works and commercial buildings works are both having similar percentage which is 28.6%

and 27.8%. The lowest type of construction project is infrastructure and heavy

construction works which only has 2 respondents and 1.6% out of 100%. It cannot be

denied that infrastructure and heavy construction is one of the problematic works that

might require professional specialists such as Expert Civil Engineering.

Table 4.12 Mostly Involved Construction Project of Respondents

Responses Percent of
Cases
N
Most involved Renovation works 36 51.4
construction project Residential buildings 45 64.3
Commercial buildings 35 50
Industrial buildings 8 11.4
Infrastructure and 2 2.9
heavy construction

49
 Figure 4.5 Mostly Involved Construction Project of Respondents

4.3.5 Respondent’s experience on impacts of Covid-19

Table 4.11 and Figure 4.6 showed the targeted respondent's ever experiences with the

impact of Covid-19 that were collected from the questionnaire. Most of the respondents

answered yes to the question that they ever have experienced in the company about the

impact of Covid-19. The percentage of respondents was extremely high at 88.57% out of

100% compared to those who have not experienced the impact of Covid-19 on the

construction industry. It is obvious to note that Covid-19 has definitely had many impacts

on the construction industry.

Table 4.13 Experiences of respondents on impact of Covid-19

Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent

Valid Yes 62 88.6 88.6 88.6
No 8 11.4 11.4 100.0
Total 70 100.0 100.0

50
 Figure 4.6 Experiences of Respondents on impacts of Covid-19

4.4 Section B: Impacts of Covid-19 Pandemic

In this section, the questionnaires were designed to collect respondents’ opinions on the

impacts brought by the Covid-19 pandemic on the construction industry. Some of the

respondents have chosen more than one option of the impacts on both workers and

companies during the Covid-19 pandemic.

4.4.1 Impacts on workers

Based on Table 4.14 and Figure 4.7, shows that there is a total of 148 responses from 70

respondents who have selected their opinion of the impacts on workers during the Covid-

19 pandemic. Reduction in monthly income got a slightly high percentage which is 36.5%

51
with a total of 54 responses than another 2 options. Moreover, respondents are more

difficult in paying daily expenses as no sources of income for consecutive months as the

percentage is 33.8% with a total of 50 respondents. Next, the impacts of job losing got

the lowest percentage which is 29.7% with a total of 44 respondents.

Table 4.14 Frequency Reading of Impacts on Workers

Responses Percent of
Cases
N
Impacts on workers Job Loss 44 64.7%
Reduction in monthly 54 79.4%
income
Difficult in paying 50 73.5%
daily expenses as no
sources of income for
consecutive months

Figure 4.7 Impacts on Workers

52
4.4.1 Impacts on company

Based on Table 4.15 and Figure 4.8, shows that there is a total of 166 responses from 70

respondents who have selected their opinion of the impacts on the company during the

Covid-19 pandemic. Most of the respondents selected the opinion of project delay due to

the restriction of rules and regulations set by the government is one of the impacts on the

company. It has a total of 51 responses with 30.7% which is the highest percentage among

the other 4 impacts. The second highest is construction material’s price increase which

got 47 responses with 28.3%. Not only that, financial problems are the third highest with

37 responses and changes in a workplace environment are the lowest responses which

only 31 responses out of 166.

Table 4.15 Frequency of Impacts on Company

Responses Percent of
Cases
N
Impacts on Project delay due to 58 82.9%
Company restriction of rules and
regulations
Changes of workplace 46 65.7%
environment
Construction material’s 50 71.4%
price increased
Financial problems 39 55.7%

53
 Figure 4.8 Impacts on Company

4.5 Section C: Strategies of managing and mitigating the Covid-19

By this section, respondents would be able to response their agreement on strategies to

manage and mitigate the spread of Covid-19, as well as their agreement on the strategies

adopted when diagnosed with Covid-19 symptoms during the construction pandemic. A

5-point scale will be used for the questionnaire, such that "1" will be equivalent to strongly

disagree, "3" will be equivalent to neutral, and "5" will be equivalent to strongly agree

with the statements made in the questionnaire.

4.5.1 Agreement on strategies of managing and mitigating the Covid-19

In these types of questions, the respondents were asked to elect their level of agreement

with the mentioned strategies for managing and mitigating the spread of the Covid-19

pandemic in the construction industry. There were 7 types of strategies mentioned to

conduct the questionnaire for the respondents to answer.

54
4.5.1.1 Take a Covid-19 screening test

Table 4.16 express the results for the agreement on strategies of taking a Covid-19

Screening Test in construction industry. There are 50 of respondents with the percentage

of 71.4% are strongly agree that taking a Covid-19 screening test is one of the strategies

on managing and mitigating the spread of Covid-19 in construction industry. Moreover,

there are 11 of respondents (15.7%) are agree with the statement. There is no neutral case

in these questions but there were 3 respondents (4.3%) disagree and 6 respondents (8.6%)

strongly disagree with the statement mentioned in the questions. On the other hand, Table

4.17 express 4.37 of mean score in this strategy.

Table 4.16 Take a Covid-19 Screening Test

Valid Cumulative
Frequency Percent Percent Percent
Valid Strongly 6 8.6 8.6 8.6
Disagree
Disagree 3 4.3 4.3 12.9
Agree 11 15.7 15.7 28.6
Strongly Agree 50 71.4 71.4 100.0

Total 70 100.0 100.0

Table 4.17 Descriptive Statistics

N Mean Std. Deviation

Take a Covid-19 Screening Test 70 4.37 1.241
Valid N (listwise) 70

4.5.1.2 Wear a mask

Table 4.18 has demonstrated the results for the agreement on strategies of wearing a mask

in construction industry. There are 55 of respondents with the percentage of 78.6% are

strongly agree that wearing a mask is one of the strategies on managing and mitigating

55
the spread of Covid-19 in construction industry. In addition, there are 6 of respondents

(8.6%) are agree with the statement. There is no neutral case in these questions but there

were 3 respondents (4.3%) disagree and 6 respondents (8.6%) strongly disagree with the

statement mentioned in the questions. On the other hand, Table 4.19 demonstrate 4.44 of

mean score in this strategy.

Table 4.18 Wear a Mask

Valid Cumulative
Frequency Percent Percent Percent
Valid Strongly 6 8.6 8.6 8.6
Disagree
Disagree 3 4.3 4.3 12.9
Agree 6 8.6 8.6 21.4
Strongly Agree 55 78.6 78.6 100.0

Total 70 100.0 100.0

Table 4.19 Descriptive Statistics

N Mean Std. Deviation

Wear a Mask 70 4.44 1.247
Valid N (listwise) 70

4.5.1.3 Practice social distance

Table 4.20 has shown the results for the agreement on strategies of practicing social

distance in construction industry. There are 44 of respondents with the percentage of 62.9%

are strongly agree that practicing social distance is one of the strategies on managing and

mitigating the spread of Covid-19 in construction industry. Next, there are 13 of

respondents (18.6%) are agree with the statement. Two respondents (2.9%) were neutral

on this statement, meaning half agreed and half disagreed. There were 3 respondents

(4.3%) disagree and 8 respondents (11.4%) strongly disagree with the statement

56
mentioned in the questions. Not only that, Table 4.21 demonstrate 4.17 of mean score in

this strategy.

Table 4.20 Practice Social Distance

Valid Cumulative
Frequency Percent Percent Percent
Valid Strongly 8 11.4 11.4 11.4
Disagree
Disagree 3 4.3 4.3 15.7
Neutral 2 2.9 2.9 18.6
Agree 13 18.6 18.6 37.1
Strongly Agree 44 62.9 62.9 100.0

Total 70 100.0 100.0

Table 4.21 Descriptive Analysis

N Mean Std. Deviation

Practice Social Distance 70 4.17 1.362
Valid N (listwise) 70

4.5.1.4 Surfaces sanitization and disinfection

Table 4.22 has indicated the results for the agreement on strategies of practicing social

distance in construction industry. There are 49 of respondents with the percentage of 70%

are strongly agree that implementing surfaces sanitization and disinfection is one of the

strategies on managing and mitigating the spread of Covid-19 in construction industry.

Next, there are 10 of respondents (14.3%) are agree with the statement. In this statement,

there are only 1 respondent (1.4%) were neutral, meaning half agreed and half disagreed.

There were 3 respondents (4.3%) disagree and 7 respondents (10%) strongly disagree

with the statement mentioned in the questions. Not only that, Table 4.23 indicated 4.30

of mean score in this strategy.

57
 Table 4.22 Surfaces sanitization and disinfection

Cumulative
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Percent
Valid Strongly 7 10.0 10.0 10.0
Disagree
Disagree 3 4.3 4.3 14.3
Neutral 1 1.4 1.4 15.7
Agree 10 14.3 14.3 30.0
Strongly Agree 49 70.0 70.0 100.0
Total 70 100.0 100.0

Table 4.23 Descriptive Statistics

N Mean Std. Deviation

Surfaces sanitization and disinfection 70 4.30 1.312
Valid N (listwise) 70

4.5.1.5 Maintain hand hygiene

Table 4.24 has displayed the results for the agreement on strategies maintain hand hygiene

in construction industry. There are 48 of respondents with the percentage of 68.6% are

strongly agree that maintaining personal hand hygiene is one of the strategies on

managing and mitigating the spread of Covid-19 in construction industry. Next, there are

10 of respondents (14.3%) are agree with the statement. In this statement, there are only

1 respondent (1.4%) were neutral, meaning half agreed and half disagreed. There were 4

respondents (5.7%) disagree and 7 respondents (10%) strongly disagree with the

statement mentioned in the questions. Not only that, Table 4.25 displayed 4.30 of mean

score in this strategy.

58
 Table 4.24 Maintain Hand Hygiene

Cumulative
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Percent
Valid Strongly 7 10.0 10.0 10.0
Disagree
Disagree 4 5.7 5.7 15.7
Neutral 1 1.4 1.4 17.1
Agree 10 14.3 14.3 31.4
Strongly Agree 48 68.6 68.6 100.0
Total 70 100.0 100.0

Table 4.25 Descriptive Statistics

N Mean Std. Deviation

Maintain hand hygiene 70 4.26 1.337
Valid N (listwise) 70

4.5.1.6 50% reduction on workers capacity at workplaces

Table 4.26 has expressed the results for the agreement on strategies 50% reduction on

worker capacity in the construction workplaces. There are 29 of respondents with the

percentage of 41.4% are strongly agree that 50% of reduction on workers capacity at

construction workplaces is one of the strategies on managing and mitigating the spread

of Covid-19 in construction industry. Next, there are 19 of respondents (27.1%) are agree

with the statement. In this statement, there are only 4 respondent (5.7%) were neutral,

meaning half agreed and half disagreed. There were 10 respondents (14.3%) disagree and

8 respondents (11.4%) strongly disagree with the statement mentioned in the questions.

Not only that, Table 4.27 displayed 4.30 of mean score in this strategy.

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 Table 4.26 50% reduction on workers capacity at construction workplaces

Cumulative
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Percent
Valid Strongly 8 11.4 11.4 11.4
Disagree
Disagree 10 14.3 14.3 25.7
Neutral 4 5.7 5.7 31.4
Agree 19 27.1 27.1 58.6
Strongly Agree 29 41.4 41.4 100.0
Total 70 100.0 100.0

Table 4.27 Descriptive Statistics

N Mean Std. Deviation

50% reduction on workers capacity at 70 3.73 1.424
workplaces
Valid N (listwise) 70

4.5.1.7 Get vaccinated

Table 4.28 has demonstrated the results for the agreement on strategies of get vaccinated

in construction industry. There are 57 of respondents with the percentage of 81.4% are

strongly agree that get vaccinated is one of the strategies on managing and mitigating the

spread of Covid-19 in construction industry. In addition, there are 7 of respondents (10%)

are agree with the statement. There is no neutral case in these questions but there were 3

respondents (4.3%) disagree and 3 respondents 4.3%) strongly disagree with the

statement mentioned in the questions. On the other hand, Table 4.29 demonstrate 4.60 of

mean score in this strategy.

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 Table 4.28 Get Vaccinated

Cumulative
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Percent
Valid Strongly 3 4.3 4.3 4.3
Disagree
Disagree 3 4.3 4.3 8.6
Agree 7 10.0 10.0 18.6
Strongly Agree 57 81.4 81.4 100.0

Total 70 100.0 100.0

Table 4.29 Descriptive Statistics

N Mean Std. Deviation

Get Vaccinated 70 4.60 1.013
Valid N (listwise) 70

4.5.2 Agreement on strategies if having symptoms of Covid-19

In these types of questions, the respondents were asked to elect their level of agreement

with the mentioned strategies to take if diagnosed and having symptoms of Covid-19 in

the construction industry which both office and construction site. There were 3 types of

strategies mentioned to conduct the questionnaire for the respondents to answer.

4.5.2.1 Isolate in special area

Table 4.30 has shown the results for the agreement on strategies of isolating in special

area if diagnosed and having symptoms of Covid-19. There are 44 of respondents with

the percentage of 62.9% are strongly agree that isolate in a special area is one of the

strategies on managing and mitigating the spread of Covid-19 in construction industry.

Next, there are 15 of respondents (21.4%) are agree with the statement. Five respondents

(7.1%) were neutral on this statement, meaning half agreed and half disagreed. There

were 4 respondents (5.7%) disagree and 2 respondents (2.9%) strongly disagree with the

61
statement mentioned in the questions. Not only that, Table 4.31 demonstrate 4.36 of mean

score in this strategy.

Table 4.30 Isolate in special area

Cumulative
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Percent
Valid Strongly 2 2.9 2.9 2.9
Disagree
Disagree 4 5.7 5.7 8.6
Neutral 5 7.1 7.1 15.7
Agree 15 21.4 21.4 37.1
Strongly Agree 44 62.9 62.9 100.0
Total 70 100.0 100.0

Table 4.31 Descriptive Statistics

N Mean Std. Deviation

Isolate in special area 70 4.36 1.036
Valid N (listwise) 70

4.5.2.2 Evaluate the potential of shutting down the construction site

Table 4.32 has indicated the results for the agreement on strategies of evaluating the

potential of shutting down the construction site. There are 32 of respondents with the

percentage of 45.7% are strongly agree that evaluating the potential of shutting down the

construction site is one of the strategies on managing and mitigating the spread of Covid-

19 in construction industry. Next, there are 15 of respondents (21.4%) are agree with the

statement. In this statement, there are only 6 respondent (8.6%) were neutral, meaning

half agreed and half disagreed. There were 5 respondents (7.1%) disagree and 12

respondents (17.1%) strongly disagree with the statement mentioned in the questions. Not

only that, Table 4.33 indicated 3.71 of mean score in this strategy.

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 Table 4.32 Evaluate the potential area of shutting down the construction site

Cumulative
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Percent
Valid Strongly 12 17.1 17.1 17.1
Disagree
Disagree 5 7.1 7.1 24.3
Neutral 6 8.6 8.6 32.9
Agree 15 21.4 21.4 54.3
Strongly Agree 32 45.7 45.7 100.0

Total 70 100.0 100.0

Table 4.33 Descriptive Statistics

N Mean Std. Deviation

Evaluate the potential of shutting 70 3.71 1.524
down the construction site
Valid N (listwise) 70

4.5.2.3 Hire professional team to sanitize

Table 4.34 express the results for the agreement on strategies of hire professional team to

sanitize the affected area in construction industry. There are 44 of respondents with the

percentage of 62.9% are strongly agree that hiring a professional team to sanitize the

affected area is one of the strategies on managing and mitigating the spread of Covid-19

in construction industry. Moreover, there are 12 of respondents (17.1%) are agree with

the statement. In this statement, there are only 2 respondent (2.9%) were neutral, meaning

half agreed and half disagreed. There were 6 respondents (8.6%) disagree and 6

respondents (8.6%) as well are strongly disagreeing with the statement mentioned in the

questions. Not only that, Table 4.35 indicated 3.71 of mean score in this strategy.

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 Table 4.34 Hire professional team to sanitize

Valid Cumulative
Frequency Percent Percent Percent
Valid Strongly 6 8.6 8.6 8.6
Disagree
Disagree 6 8.6 8.6 17.1
Neutral 2 2.9 2.9 20.0
Agree 12 17.1 17.1 37.1
Strongly Agree 44 62.9 62.9 100.0
Total 70 100.0 100.0

Table 4.35 Descriptive Statistics

N Mean Std. Deviation

Hire professional team to sanitize 70 4.17 1.329
Valid N (listwise) 70

4.6 Section D: The effectiveness of implementing SOP

In this section, the respondents would be asked to evaluate the effectiveness of

implementing standard operating procedures in preventing the spread of Covid-19 among

construction workers, as per their own views. All of the questions in section D are based

on the earlier section C to broaden the validity of the stated strategies in order to achieve

the objectives of this research. Consequently, the respondents may expand their

agreement on whether the statements mentioned in the questions are effective or

ineffective. Not only that, they could also make a choice based on a 5-point Likert scale,

such as "1" for very ineffective, "3" for neutral, "5" for very effective, etc.

4.6.1 Effectiveness of take a Covid-19 screening test

Table 4.36 shows the results of the effectiveness of strategies for Covid-19 screening in

the construction industry. There were 60 respondents (85.7%) who considered taking the

Covid-19 screening test as one of the strategies to manage and mitigate the spread of

64
Covid-19 in the construction industry. In addition, 5 respondents (7.1%) perceive the

statement as effective. Only 1 respondent (1.4%) was neutral on this statement, i.e., half

effective and half ineffective. There are 3 respondents (4.3%) perceived the statement

mentioned in the question as ineffective and 1 respondent (1.4%) strongly perceived the

statement as ineffective. Not only that, Table 4.37 shows that the mean score for this

strategy was 4.71.

Table 4.36 Take a Covid-19 Screening Test

Valid Cumulative
Frequency Percent Percent Percent
Valid Strongly 1 1.4 1.4 1.4
Ineffective
Ineffective 3 4.3 4.3 5.7
Neutral 1 1.4 1.4 7.1
Effective 5 7.1 7.1 14.3
Strongly Effective 60 85.7 85.7 100.0

Total 70 100.0 100.0

Table 4.37 Descriptive Statistics

N Mean Std. Deviation

Take a Covid-19 Screening Test 70 4.71 .819
Valid N (listwise) 70

4.6.2 Effectiveness of wearing a mask

Table 4.38 demonstrated the results of the effectiveness of strategies for wear a mask in

the construction industry. There were 52 respondents (74.3%) who considered wearing a

mask as one of the strategies to manage and mitigate the spread of Covid-19 in the

construction industry. Additionally, 9 respondents (12.9%) perceive the statement as

effective. Only 1 respondent (1.4%) was neutral on this statement, i.e., half effective and

half ineffective. There are 5 respondents (7.1%) perceived the statement mentioned in the

65
question as ineffective and 3 respondent (4.3%) strongly perceived the statement as

ineffective. Not only that, Table 4.39 shows that the mean score for this strategy was 4.46.

Table 4.38 Wear a mask

Valid Cumulative
Frequency Percent Percent Percent
Valid Strongly 3 4.3 4.3 4.3
Ineffective
Ineffective 5 7.1 7.1 11.4
Neutral 1 1.4 1.4 12.9
Effective 9 12.9 12.9 25.7
Strongly Effective 52 74.3 74.3 100.0

Total 70 100.0 100.0

Table 4.39 Descriptive Statistics

N Mean Std. Deviation

Wear a Mask 70 4.46 1.112
Valid N (listwise) 70

4.6.3 Effectiveness of practicing social distances

Table 4.40 indicated the results of the effectiveness of strategies for practicing social

distances in the construction industry. There were 38 respondents (54.3%) who

considered practicing social distances as one of the strategies to manage and mitigate the

spread of Covid-19 in the construction industry. Furthermore, 13 respondents (18.6%)

perceive the statement as effective. Only 3 respondent (4.3%) was neutral on this

statement, i.e., half effective and half ineffective. There are 2 respondents (2.9%)

perceived the statement mentioned in the question as ineffective and 14 respondent (20%)

strongly perceived the statement as ineffective. Not only that, Table 4.41 shows that the

mean score for this strategy was 3.84.

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 Table 4.40 Practice Social Distance

Valid Cumulative
Frequency Percent Percent Percent
Valid Strongly 14 20.0 20.0 20.0
Ineffective
Ineffective 2 2.9 2.9 22.9
Neutral 3 4.3 4.3 27.1
Effective 13 18.6 18.6 45.7
Strongly Effective 38 54.3 54.3 100.0

Total 70 100.0 100.0

Table 4.41 Descriptive Statistics

N Mean Std. Deviation

Practice Social Distance 70 3.84 1.585
Valid N (listwise) 70

4.6.4 Effectiveness of surfaces sanitization and disinfection

Table 4.42 displayed the results of the effectiveness of strategies for surfaces sanitization

and disinfection in the construction industry. There were 48 respondents (68.6%) who

considered surfaces sanitization and disinfection as one of the strategies to manage and

mitigate the spread of Covid-19 in the construction industry. Furthermore, 11 respondents

(15.7%) perceive the statement as effective. Only 2 respondent (2.9%) was neutral on this

statement, i.e., half effective and half ineffective. There are 5 respondents (7.1%)

perceived the statement mentioned in the question as ineffective and 4 respondent (5.7%)

strongly perceived the statement as ineffective. Not only that, Table 4.43 shows that the

mean score for this strategy was 4.34.

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 Table 4.42 Surfaces sanitization and disinfection

Valid Cumulative
Frequency Percent Percent Percent
Valid Strongly 4 5.7 5.7 5.7
Ineffective
Ineffective 5 7.1 7.1 12.9
Neutral 2 2.9 2.9 15.7
Effective 11 15.7 15.7 31.4
Strongly Effective 48 68.6 68.6 100.0

Total 70 100.0 100.0

Table 4.43 Descriptive Statistics

N Mean Std. Deviation

Surfaces sanitization and disinfection 70 4.34 1.190

Valid N (listwise) 70

4.6.5 Effectiveness of maintain hand hygiene

Table 4.44 shows the results of the effectiveness of strategies for maintain personal hand

hygiene in the construction industry. There were 46 respondents (65.7%) who considered

maintain personal hand hygiene as one of the strategies to manage and mitigate the spread

of Covid-19 in the construction industry. Moreover, 11 respondents (15.7%) perceive the

statement as effective. Only 4 respondent (5.7%) was neutral on this statement, i.e., half

effective and half ineffective. There are 5 respondents (7.1%) perceived the statement

mentioned in the question as ineffective and 4 respondent (5.7%) strongly perceived the

statement as ineffective. Not only that, Table 4.45 shows that the mean score for this

strategy was 4.29.

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 Table 4.44 Maintain hand hygiene

Valid Cumulative
Frequency Percent Percent Percent
Valid Strongly 4 5.7 5.7 5.7
Ineffective
Ineffective 5 7.1 7.1 12.9
Neutral 4 5.7 5.7 18.6
Effective 11 15.7 15.7 34.3
Strongly Effective 46 65.7 65.7 100.0

Total 70 100.0 100.0

Table 4.45 Descriptive Statistics

N Mean Std. Deviation

Maintain hand hygiene 70 4.29 1.206
Valid N (listwise) 70

4.6.6 Effectiveness of 50% reduction on worker capacity

Table 4.46 express the results of the effectiveness of strategies for 50% reduction on

workers capacity in the construction industry. There were 35 respondents (50%) who

considered 50% reduction on workers capacity as one of the strategies to manage and

mitigate the spread of Covid-19 in the construction industry. Besides, 18 respondents

(25.7%) perceive the statement as effective. Only 7 respondent (10%) was neutral on this

statement, i.e., half effective and half ineffective. There are 6 respondents (8.6%)

perceived the statement mentioned in the question as ineffective and 4 respondent (5.7%)

strongly perceived the statement as ineffective. Not only that, Table 4.47 shows that the

mean score for this strategy was 4.06.

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 Table 4.46 50% reduction on workers capacity at workplaces

Valid Cumulative
Frequency Percent Percent Percent
Valid Strongly 4 5.7 5.7 5.7
Ineffective
Ineffective 6 8.6 8.6 14.3
Neutral 7 10.0 10.0 24.3
Effective 18 25.7 25.7 50.0
Strongly Effective 35 50.0 50.0 100.0

Total 70 100.0 100.0

Table 4.47 Descriptive Statistics

N Mean Std. Deviation

50% reduction on workers capacity at 70 4.06 1.214
workplaces
Valid N (listwise) 70

4.6.6 Effectiveness of get vaccinated

Table 4.48 express the results of the effectiveness of strategies for workers to get

vaccinated in the construction industry. There were 57 respondents (81.4%) who

considered workers getting vaccination as one of the strategies to manage and mitigate

the spread of Covid-19 in the construction industry. On top of that, 6 respondents (8.6%)

perceive the statement as effective. Only 2 respondent (2.9%) was neutral on this

statement, i.e., half effective and half ineffective. There are 3 respondents (4.3%)

perceived the statement mentioned in the question as ineffective and 2 respondent (2.9%)

strongly perceived the statement as ineffective. Not only that, Table 4.49 shows that the

mean score for this strategy was 4.61.

70
 Table 4.48 Get Vaccinated

Valid Cumulative
Frequency Percent Percent Percent
Valid Strongly 2 2.9 2.9 2.9
Ineffective
Ineffective 3 4.3 4.3 7.1
Neutral 2 2.9 2.9 10.0
Effective 6 8.6 8.6 18.6
Strongly Effective 57 81.4 81.4 100.0

Total 70 100.0 100.0

Table 4.49 Descriptive Statistics

N Mean Std. Deviation

Get Vaccinated 70 4.61 .952
Valid N (listwise) 70

4.7 Independent Sample t-test

An inferential analysis method of sample t-test was used in this research paper. The

intention of such a method would be to comparing the genders with the specific research

objectives so that any significant differences would be identified and screened towards

testing the hypothesis at the end. The objectives 2 and 3 which are Section C and D has

used to implement this analysis method. There were 70 respondents who separated to

gender group with males and females to use for the statistical analysis.

4.7.1 Relationship between Gender and SOP

Table 4.50 displayed the results of group statistics for the strategies of mitigating and

managing the spread of Covid-19 pandemic in the construction industry based on their

level of agreement. The mean value of males for the strategies of taking Covid-19

screening test, wearing a mask, practicing social distance, surfaces sanitization, maintain

71
hand hygiene, 50% reduction on workers capacity at workplaces and get vaccinated are

4.03, 4.06, 3.74, 3.84, 3.90, 3.35 and 4.35. In the same time, the standard deviation on the

male side is 1.560, 1.569, 1.712, 1.635, 1.700, 1.644 and 1.355. On the other side, female

is having 4.64, 4.74, 4.51, 4.67, 4.54, 4.03 and 4.79 mean value on different type of

strategies on mitigating the spread of Covid-19.

Table 4.50 Group Statistic of Gender and SOP

Std. Std. Error

Gender N Mean Deviation Mean
Take a Covid-19 Male 31 4.03 1.560 .280
Screening Test Female 39 4.64 .843 .135
Wear a Mask Male 31 4.06 1.569 .282
Female 39 4.74 .818 .131
Practice Social Male 31 3.74 1.712 .307
Distance Female 39 4.51 .885 .142
Surfaces sanitization Male 31 3.84 1.635 .294
and disinfection Female 39 4.67 .838 .134
Maintain hand hygiene Male 31 3.90 1.700 .305
Female 39 4.54 .884 .142
50% reduction on Male 31 3.35 1.644 .295
workers capacity at Female 39 4.03 1.158 .185
workplaces
Get Vaccinated Male 31 4.35 1.355 .243
Female 39 4.79 .570 .091

4.7.2 Relationship between Gender and strategies if having symptoms

Table 4.51 demonstrated the extent of agreement between male and females on the

strategies to take if diagnosed and having symptoms of Covid-19 in construction

workplaces. The mean value for male on isolating in special area is 4.13, evaluating the

potential of shutting down the construction site is 3.29 and hiring professional team to

sanitize is 3.71. Their standard deviation is in the value of 1.231, 1.697 and 1.532

respectively. On the other side, the mean value on females for isolating in special area is

72
4.54, evaluating the potential of shutting down the construction site is 4.05 and hiring the

professional team to sanitize the affected area is 4.54. Their standard deviation is 0.822,

1.297 and 1.022 respectively.

Table 4.51 Group Statistic of gender and strategies if having symptoms

Std. Std. Error

Gender N Mean Deviation Mean
Isolate in special area Male 31 4.13 1.231 .221
Female 39 4.54 .822 .132
Evaluate the potential Male 31 3.29 1.697 .305
of shutting down the Female 39 4.05 1.297 .208
construction site

Hire professional team Male 31 3.71 1.532 .275

to sanitize Female 39 4.54 1.022 .164

4.7.3 Relationship between Gender and effectiveness on implement SOP

Table 4.52 has indicated the extent of agreement between male and females on the

effectiveness on implementing SOP in preventing the spread of Covid-19 among the

construction workers. The mean value of males for the effectiveness of taking Covid-19

screening test, wearing a mask, practicing social distance, surfaces sanitization, maintain

hand hygiene, 50% reduction on workers capacity at workplaces, get vaccinated, isolating

in special area, evaluating the potential of shutting down the construction site and hiring

professional team to sanitize are 4.03, 4.06, 3.74, 3.84, 3.90, 3.35, 4.35, 4.13, 3.29 and

3.71. The standard deviation on the male side is 1.560, 1.569, 1.712, 1.635, 1.700, 1.644,

1.355, 1.231, 1.697 and 1.532. In contrast, female is having the mean value of 4.64, 4.74,

4.51, 4.67, 4.54, 4.03, 4.79, 4.54, 4.05 and 4.54 on different types of SOP. The standard

deviation on the female side is 0.843, 0.818, 0.885, 0.838, 0.884, 1.158, 0.570, 0.882,

1.297 and 1.022.

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 Table 4.52 Group Statistics of Gender and effectiveness on implementing SOP

Std. Std. Error

Gender N Mean Deviation Mean
Take a Covid-19 Male 31 4.03 1.560 .280
Screening Test Female 39 4.64 .843 .135
Wear a Mask Male 31 4.06 1.569 .282
Female 39 4.74 .818 .131
Practice Social Male 31 3.74 1.712 .307
Distance Female 39 4.51 .885 .142
Surfaces sanitization Male 31 3.84 1.635 .294
and disinfection Female 39 4.67 .838 .134
Maintain hand hygiene Male 31 3.90 1.700 .305
Female 39 4.54 .884 .142
50% reduction on Male 31 3.35 1.644 .295
workers capacity at Female 39 4.03 1.158 .185
workplaces
Get Vaccinated Male 31 4.35 1.355 .243
Female 39 4.79 .570 .091
Isolate in special area Male 31 4.13 1.231 .221
Female 39 4.54 .822 .132
Evaluate the potential Male 31 3.29 1.697 .305
of shutting down the Female 39 4.05 1.297 .208
construction site
Hire professional team Male 31 3.71 1.532 .275
to sanitize Female 39 4.54 1.022 .164

4.8 Summary

In this Chapter, respondents on the strategies and the effectiveness of managing and

mitigating the spread of Covid-19 on the Covid-19 pandemic in the Malaysian

construction industry. The collected responses were evaluated by analyzing them using

the SPSS software and was then interpreted into an academical table to be able to present

the essential results. In a nutshell, the data analysis and results were being discussed to

accomplish the objectives of this study.

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 CHAPTER 5 DISCUSSION, CONCLUSSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Introduction

For this specific chapter, the acquired data that were analyzed in the previous chapter will

then be brought forward to this chapter for the purpose of discussion and interpretation

of the collected data that were obtained previously. More than that, this chapter will also

draw a summarization of the findings towards the achievement of the objectives of the

study as below:

1. To identify the various impacts of Covid-19 pandemic to the construction industry.

2. To investigate the strategies of managing and mitigating the spread of Covid-19

pandemic in the construction workplaces.

3. To investigate the effectiveness of implementing Standard Operating Procedures

(SOP) in preventing the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic among construction

workers.

In additions, the conclusion and several numbers of recommendations will also made in

this chapter to great extent to the research in future.

5.2 Impacts of Covid-19 pandemic to the construction industry

In this section, the two questions from Section B of the questionnaire which are shown in

Appendix A would be used to develop the discussion of the results. Below are the tables

that shows the findings on the impacts of Covid-19 for the construction industry.

Table 5.1 reveals the results of the respondents' ranking of the impact on workers during

the Covid-19 pandemic. As can be seen, the loss of a job as the least important. Next,

respondents ranked difficulty in paying daily expenses as the second most important and

reduction in monthly income was the most highly ranked impact by the respondents. As

75
all stated issues received a ranking of more than 50%, it can be assumed that the impact

on workers was significant, with the reduction in monthly income being the most

important and the loss of job being the least important.

Table 5.1 Ranking for impacts of workers

Statement Number Percentage (%) Rank

Job Loss 44 64.7 3
Difficult in paying daily expenses 50 73.5 2
Reduction in monthly income 54 79.4 1

Table 5.2 illustrates the results of the respondents' ranking of the impact on company

during the Covid-19 pandemic. Evidently, the third most important and the last ranked is

financial problem and the changes of workplace environment. Next, respondents ranked

construction material’s price increased as the second most important. The restriction of

rules and regulations which made the project delay was the most highly ranked impact by

the respondents. As all stated issues received a ranking of more than 50%, it can be

assumed that the impact on company was significant, with the project delay due to

restriction of rules and regulations being the most important and the financial problem

being the least important.

Table 5.2 Ranking for impacts of company

Statement Number Percentage (%) Rank

Financial problems 39 55.7 4
Changes of workplace environment 46 65.7 3
Construction material’s price increased 50 71.4 2
Project delay due to restriction of rules 58 82.9 1
and regulations

5.3 Strategies of SOP on managing the spread of Covid-19

In this section, the questions from Section C part 1 of the questionnaire which are shown

in Appendix A would be used to develop the discussion of the results. Below are the

76
tables that shows the findings on the strategies of SOP that implemented by the

government for managing the spread of Covid-19 for the construction industry.

Table 5.3 depicts the results of the respondents' ranking of the seven type strategies of

SOP during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is clear that the strategies of get vaccinated have

the highest mean value of 4.60 and S.D. of 1.013 by the respond from respondents. Next,

the mean value for the strategies of wearing mask is the second highest with 4.44 and S.D.

of 1.247, and taking a Covid-19 screening test as the third highest of mean value with

4.37 and S.D. of 1.241. The other three strategies of surfaces sanitization and disinfection

(Mean = 4.30, S.D. = 1.312), maintain hand hygiene (Mean = 4.26, S.D. = 1.337) and

practice social distance (Mean = 4.17, S.D. = 1.362). The strategies of 50% reduction on

workers capacity is having the least of mean value which is 3.73 and S.D. of 1.424.

Additionally, the table also shows that the average mean is 4.27 which mean that 70

respondents are agreed with the statement stated in this section.

Table 5.3 Ranking for strategies SOP

Statement Mean Standard Rank

Deviation (S.D.)
Get vaccinated 4.60 1.013 1
Wear a mask 4.44 1.247 2
Taking a Covid-19 screening test 4.37 1.241 3
Surfaces sanitization and disinfection 4.30 1.312 4
Maintain hand hygiene 4.26 1.337 5
Practice social distance 4.17 1.362 6
50% reduction on workers capacity 3.73 1.424 7
Average Mean = 4.27

Other than the selections that given in the questionnaire, some of the respondents has

answered their personal opinion on the form on the other strategies of SOP on managing

the spread of Covid-19. The first opinion is that the company could restructured the

master program work schedule that reflect with contract alignment strategies in the

77
benefit for project owner and contractor. A second opinion was to change the workday to

some other way, such as working from home for two weeks and returning to the office

for the other two in order to mitigate the spread of Covid-19.

5.4 Strategies to take if having symptoms of Covid-19

As part of this section, the questions from Section C part 2 of the questionnaire which are

shown in Appendix A would be used to develop the discussion of the results. Below are

the tables that shows the findings on the strategies to take if diagnosed and having

symptoms of Covid-19 in the construction industry.

Table 5.4 described the results of the respondents' ranking of the three type strategies to

take if diagnosed and having symptoms of Covid-19 in the construction industry. It is

obvious among the respondents’ responses, the strategies of evaluating the potential of

shutting down the construction site is having the least of mean value which is 3.71 and

S.D. of 1.524. Next, the mean value for the strategies of hiring professional team to

sanitize is the second highest with 4.17 and S.D. of 1.329, and the strategies of isolating

in special area have the highest mean value of 4.36 and S.D. of 1.036. Additionally, the

table also shows that the average mean is 3.90 which mean that 70 respondents are agreed

with the statement stated in this section.

Table 5.4 Ranking for strategies if having symptoms

Standard
Statement Mean Rank
Deviation (S.D.)
Evaluate the potential of shutting down the 3.71 1.524 3
construction site
Hire professional team to sanitize 4.17 1.329 2
Isolate in special area 4.36 1.036 1
Average mean = 3.90

78
Not only that, there are one personal opinion from one of the respondents who filled up

the questionnaire. The opinion is that the strategies of isolate work team on site for carry

on the construction progress with some possible supplies into worksite for minimize the

duration of delay that caused by Covid-19.

5.5 Effectiveness of implementing SOP in preventing the spread of Covid-19

Over this section, the questions from Section D of the questionnaire which are shown in

Appendix A would be used to develop the discussion of the results. Below are the tables

that shows the findings on the effectiveness of SOP that implemented by the government

in preventing the spread of Covid-19 for the construction industry.

Table 5.5 portrays the outcome of the respondents' ranking of the effectiveness of seven

type SOP that implemented to preventing the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is

apparent that the effectiveness of strategies on practicing social distance is having the

least of mean value which is 3.84 and S.D. of 1.585. The other three effectiveness of

strategies on surfaces sanitization and disinfection (Mean = 4.34, S.D. = 1.19), maintain

hand hygiene (Mean = 4.29, S.D. = 1.206) and 50% reduction on workers capacity (Mean

= 4.06, S.D. = 1.214). Next, the mean value for the effectiveness of get vaccinated is the

second highest with 4.61 and S.D. of 1.112, and wearing a mask as the third highest of

mean value with 4.46and S.D. of 1.585 and the strategies of taking Covid-19 screening

test have the highest mean value of 4.71 and S.D. of 0.819 by the respond from

respondents. Additionally, the table also shows that the average mean is 4.33 which mean

that 70 respondents are agreed with the statement stated in this section.

79
 Table 5.5 Ranking for effectiveness SOP

Standard
Statement Mean Rank
Deviation (S.D.)
Practice social distance 3.84 1.585 7
50% reduction on workers capacity 4.06 1.214 6
Maintain hand hygiene 4.29 1.206 5
Surfaces sanitization and disinfection 4.34 1.190 4
Wear a mask 4.46 1.585 3
Get vaccinated 4.61 1.112 2
Taking a Covid-19 screening test 4.71 0.819 1
Average Mean = 4.33

In addition to the above, there are one extra personal opinion from the respondent who

answered the questionnaire earlier. The respondent mentioned that implementing

alternative of construction method will be the effectives strategies to managing and

mitigating the spread of Covid-19.

5.5.1 Comparison between Gender and SOP

The independent t-test has been carried out to have the comparison between gender which

are female and male with the several SOP that implemented by the Government to see

whether the terms of result is more agreed by female group or male group. Table 5.6

shows that the results of comparison between Gender and SOP. From the table, it

interprets that every SOP is mostly agreed by female group as they are having higher

mean compared to the male group. For examples, the SOP of taking Covid-19 screening

test, female group has the highest mean which is 4.64 higher than the male group. Both

Table 5.7 and Table 5.8 illustrated that the strategies getting vaccinated is having highest

agreement by the female and male group and the strategies of 50% reduction on workers

capacity at workplaces got the least agreement from female and male group too.

80
 Table 5.6 Overall mean value for gender and SOP

Gender N Mean
Take a Covid-19 Screening Male 31 4.03
Test Female 39 4.64
Wear a Mask Male 31 4.06
Female 39 4.74
Practice Social Distance Male 31 3.74
Female 39 4.51
Surfaces sanitization and Male 31 3.84
disinfection Female 39 4.67
Maintain hand hygiene Male 31 3.90
Female 39 4.54
50% reduction on workers Male 31 3.35
capacity at workplaces Female 39 4.03
Get Vaccinated Male 31 4.35
Female 39 4.79

Table 5.7 Female ranking for SOP

Mean Ranking

50% reduction on workers capacity at workplaces 4.03 7

Practice Social Distance 4.51 6

Maintain hand hygiene 4.54 5

Take a Covid-19 screening test 4.64 4

Surfaces sanitization and disinfection 4.67 3
Wear a Mask 4.74 2
Get Vaccinated 4.79 1

81
 Table 5.8 Male ranking for SOP

Mean Ranking

50% reduction on workers capacity at workplaces 3.35 7

Practice Social Distance 3.74 6

Surfaces sanitization and disinfection 3.84 5

Maintain hand hygiene 3.90 4

Take a Covid-19 screening test 4.03 3
Wear a Mask 4.06 2
Get Vaccinated 4.35 1

5.5.2 Comparison between Gender and strategies if having symptoms

In this section, it discusses about the comparison between gender which are female and

male with the several strategies to take if having symptoms of Covid-19 in construction

industry to see whether the terms of result is more agreed by female group or male group.

Table 5.9 shows that the results of comparison between Gender and strategies to take if

having symptoms of Covid-19. From the table, it interprets that every strategy is mostly

agreed by female group as they are having higher mean compared to the male group. For

examples, the strategies of isolating in special area, female group has the highest mean

which is 4.54 higher than the male group. Both Table 5.10 and Table 5.11 illustrated that

the strategies of isolating in special area is having highest agreement by the female and

male group and the strategies of evaluating the potential of shutting down the construction

site got the least agreement from female and male group too.

82
 Table 5.9 Overall mean value for gender and strategies if having symptoms

Gender N Mean

Male 31 4.13
Isolate in special area
Female 39 4.54
Male 31 3.29
Evaluate the potential of shutting
39 4.05
down the construction site Female

Hire professional team to Male 31 3.71

sanitize Female 39 4.54

Table 5.10 Female ranking for strategies if having symptoms

Mean Ranking
Evaluate the potential of shutting down the
4.05 3
construction site
Hire professional team to sanitize 4.54 2
Isolate in special area 4.54 1

Table 5.11 Male ranking for strategies if having symptoms

Mean Ranking
Evaluate the potential of shutting down the
3.29 3
construction site
Hire professional team to sanitize 3.71 2
Isolate in special area 4.13 1

5.5.3 Comparison between Gender and effectiveness of implement SOP

For the view in this section, the comparison between gender which are female and male

with the effectiveness of several SOP and strategies to take if diagnosed or having

symptoms of Covid-19 that implemented by the Government to see whether the terms of

result is more agreed by female group or male group. Table 5.12 shows that the results of

comparison between Gender and effectiveness of SOP. From the table, it interprets that

83
every SOP is mostly agreed by female group as they are having higher mean compared

to the male group. For examples, the SOP of practice social distancing, female group has

the highest mean which is 4.51 higher than the male group. The Table 5.13 illustrated that

the strategies of isolate in special area is having highest agreement by the female group

and the strategies of 50% reduction on workers capacity at workplaces got the least

agreement from female group. On the other hand, the strategies of getting vaccinated is

having highest agreement by the male group and evaluate the potential of shutting down

the construction site got the least agreement from male group.

Table 5.12 Overall mean value for effectiveness of strategies

Gender N Mean
Male 31 4.03
Take a Covid-19 Screening Test
Female 39 4.64
Male 31 4.06
Wear a Mask
Female 39 4.74
Male 31 3.74
Practice Social Distance
Female 39 4.51
Male 31 3.84
Surfaces sanitization and disinfection
Female 39 4.67
Male 31 3.90
Maintain hand hygiene
Female 39 4.54
50% reduction on workers capacity at Male 31 3.35
workplaces Female 39 4.03
Male 31 4.35
Get Vaccinated
Female 39 4.79
Male 31 4.13
Isolate in special area
Female 39 4.54
Evaluate the potential of shutting down Male 31 3.29
the construction site Female 39 4.05
Male 31 3.71
Hire professional team to sanitize
Female 39 4.54

84
 Table 5.13 Female ranking for effectiveness of strategies

Mean Ranking

50% reduction on workers capacity at workplaces 3.35 10

Practice Social Distance 3.74 9

Surfaces sanitization and disinfection 3.84 8

Maintain hand hygiene 3.90 7

Take a Covid-19 screening test 4.03 6
Evaluate the potential of shutting down the 4.05 5
construction site
Wear a Mask 4.06 4
Get Vaccinated 4.35 3
Hire professional team to sanitize 4.54 2
Isolate in special area 4.54 1

Table 5.14 Female ranking for effectiveness of strategies

Mean Ranking
Evaluate the potential of shutting down the
3.29 10
construction site
50% reduction on workers capacity at workplaces 3.35 9

Hire professional team to sanitize 3.71 8

Practice Social Distance 3.74 7

Surfaces sanitization and disinfection 3.84 6

Maintain hand hygiene 3.90 5

Take a Covid-19 screening test 4.03 4
Wear a Mask 4.06 3
Isolate in special area 4.13 2
Get Vaccinated 4.35 1

85
5.6 Conclusion

According to the Table 5.1, the finding results has reflected that the most significant

issues to the construction workers who impacted by Covid-19 is reduction in monthly

income as it scored the highest percentage compared to other two issues. Moreover, the

most important issues to the construction company who impacted by Covid-19 is the

project delaying due to restriction of rules and regulations that implemented by the

Government. However, the other issues of impacts to both construction workers and

company, although lower than their first ranking but they are still garnered a high

percentage from respondent’s responses. What is obvious is that Covid-19 pandemic has

brought a significant impact to both of roles in construction industry. Not only that, the

effectiveness of implementing SOP in preventing the spread of Covid-19 received the

highest mean value compared to another two objectives for this research. It got the 4.33

of average mean value and the second highest is 4.27 of average mean value for the

strategies of implementing SOP in preventing the spread of Covid-19. It is strongly

believed that the effectiveness of implementing SOPs was strongly agreed by more

respondents to the statements made in the questionnaire.

5.7 Recommendations for Future Study

There are several suggestions and recommendations for researchers to pursue the research

in the future.

• In the first place, the future researchers have to continue to reinvestigate more

impacts of Covid-19 on construction workers as the pandemic is still occurring

around the world including Malaysia. There is a strong belief that Covid-19 has a

greater impact on construction workers than what has been researched in this

project dissertation.

86
• In the second place, the SOPs mentioned by the government in Objective 2 is

recommend to be updated to the most recent version of SOPs as Malaysia has

chosen to coexist with the Covid-19 pandemic in the recent past, but there is no

intention to implement any movement control orders once again to mitigate the

spread of Covid-19.

• Since the value of Cronbach alpha in section B is at an unacceptable level which

is 0.406, the reliability test would require an improvement in the future.

Consequently, future researchers may improve the questionnaire items mentioned

in section B either through a literature review or by using a questionnaire in the

next dissertation.

• On the other hand, it is suggested to enhance the questionnaires, and in particular,

sections C and D. The objectives of these two sections are somewhat similar, just

that section C is related to the agreement on the strategy and section D is based

on the agreement on the strategy's effectiveness. Additional questions are

suggested to be explored by future researchers in order to be answered by the

target respondents.

• Last but not least, it is being suggested that researchers may extend their research

areas and modify their research objectives to investigate more on specific topics.

For instance, researchers may explore more of the Covid-19 pandemic issues,

such as how the construction workers are dealing with the viruses.

In a nutshell, this study can be the foundation for any future related research as the

findings are practical for the concerned construction parties such as construction site and

office workers, construction companies, consultants or future researchers who are

concerned with the topic of "Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic in Malaysian Construction

87
Industry". With this study, it is expected that construction industry parties will conduct

future studies on the impact of Covid-19 pandemic in the Malaysian construction industry

accordingly.

5.8 Limitations of study

There were some limitations while conducting the research of this project dissertation.

• With regard to the questionnaire, the target respondents have been limited to a

minimum due to the fact that Covid-19 is still spreading in Malaysia. As such, the

objective of this project dissertation is to allow a minimum number of targeted

construction industry respondents to complete the Google form through the

internet rather than through face-to-face. It would help to mitigate the spread of

the Covid-19 epidemic.

• As Google Online Forms has its own constraints and limitations on questionnaire

settings, it may lead to respondents opting to simply respond to the questions that

were set in the questionnaire, or opting not to answer a few questions that do not

have to be responded to in order to proceed to the next step.

• Since the government occasionally implements different standard operating

procedures, researchers are incapable of keeping up-to-date with the latest

information about the distributed form. This may lead to erratic explanations of

the information.

• Due to the fact that the target respondents may originate from different states in

Malaysia, their responses to the questionnaire may be somewhat different as the

Malaysian government has imposed different movement control orders on each

state and the situation of Covid-19 varies from state to state.

88
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Ueki, H, Furusawa, Y, Iwatsuki-Horimoto, K, Imai, M, Kabat, H, Nishimura, H &

Kawaoka, Y 2020, ‘Effectiveness of face masks in preventing airborne transmission of
SAR-CoV-2’, Clinical Science and Epidemiology, vol.5, no.5, pp. e00637-20.

Vardoulakis, S, Sheel, M, Lal, A & Gray, D 2020, ‘Covid-19 environmental transmission

and preventive public health measures’, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public
Health.

Wahab, A 2020, ‘The outbreak of Covid-19 in Malaysia: pushing migrant workers at the
margin’, Social Sciences & Humanities Open, vol. 2, p.100073.

World Health Organization (WHO) 2021, ‘Coronavirus disease (Covid-19): How is it

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answers/item/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-how-is-it-transmitted>.

Zul Rafique & Partners 2020, ‘Standard operating procedure for construction industry
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https://www.zulrafique.com.my/ckfinder/userfiles/files/SOP%20for%20Construction%
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 APPENDICES

Appendix A: Survey Questionnaire

Research title: Impacts of Covid-19 Pandemic in the Malaysian Construction

Industry

Section A: Demographic Information

Please tick (√) the answer at the appropriate box provided.

1. What is your gender?

Male
Female
2. What is your age range?

20-30
31-40
41-50
>50
3. How long have you been working in the construction industry?

< 5 years

5-10

11-20

> 20 years

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4. Grade for contractor CIDB license.

Grade 1

Grade 2

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

Grade 6

Grade 7

5. What type of construction project you mostly involved in?

Renovation works

Residential buildings

Commercial buildings

Industrial buildings

Infrastructure and heavy construction

Other: Please specify

6. Have your company experiences the impacts of Covid-19?

Yes
No

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Section B: Impacts of Covid-19 Pandemic in the Construction Industry

Which of the following are the impacts that you think it has affected by Covid-19
Pandemic in the Construction Industry?

You may tick (√) more than one box provided.

Please
Category Impacts tick (√)

Job Loss
Impacts on Reduction in monthly income
workers Difficult in paying daily expenses as no source of income
for consecutive months
Others:

Project delay due to restriction of rules and regulations

Impacts on Changes of workplace environment
company Construction material’s price increased
Financial problems
Others:

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Section C: Strategies of managing and mitigating the spread of Covid-19 Pandemic
in the construction workplaces

Based on your perception, please indicate your extent of agreement on the strategies of
mitigating and managing the spread of Covid-19 pandemic in the construction
workplaces by ticking (√) in the boxes below.

Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly

No. Strategies Disagree Agree
1 2 3 4 5
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
1 Covid-19 Screening
Test
2 Wear a mask
3 Social Distance
4 Surfaces sanitization
and disinfection
5 Maintain hand
hygiene
6 50% reduction on
workers capacity at
workplaces
7 Get Vaccinated
8 Others (please specify):

• Strategies to take if diagnosed and having symptoms of Covid-19

1 Isolate in special area
2 Evaluate the potential
of shutting down the
construction site
3 Hire professional
team to sanitize
4 Others (please specify):

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Section D: The effectiveness of implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
in preventing the spread of the Covid-19 Pandemic among construction workers

Based on your perception, please indicate your extent of effectiveness of implementing

Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in preventing the spread of the Covid-19
pandemic among construction workers by ticking (√) in the boxes below.

Strongly Ineffective Neutral Effective Strongly

No. Strategies Ineffective Effective
1 2 3 4 5
1 Covid-19
Screening Test
2 Wear a mask
3 Social Distance
4 Surfaces
sanitization and
disinfection
5 Maintain hand
hygiene
6 50% reduction on
workers capacity
at workplaces
7 Get Vaccinated
8 Others (please specify):

Thank you for taking the time out of your day to complete this survey!

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Appendix B: Survey Questionnaire in Google Forms

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