Fall and struck-by accidents are the most frequent types of construction accidents in the Arabian Gulf region.

Application of HFACS points to 8 worker-related causal factors that are subsequently ranked in importance by site experts.

Limited worker skills and training, worker experience, use of safety gear and risk perception rank as important factors.

The research yields key insights for developing a stronger safety culture and supportive regulatory environments.

Assessment of some unusual features of the Arabian Gulf region suggests that progress in safety is likely to be slow.