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Construction Work Health and Safety Management Using Building Information Modelling

May 2021

May 2021

DOI:10.4018/978-1-7998-6600-8.ch004

In book: Handbook of Research on Driving Transformational Change in the Digital Built Environment (pp.91-119)
Publisher: IGI Global

Authors:

RMIT University

Western Sydney University

Angelica Varhammar

Show all 8 authorsHide

The high rates of fatalities and injuries in the construction industry highlight the importance of work health and safety (WHS). Building information modelling (BIM) could significantly improve WHS management in construction, but integration has been limited. The chapter explores the application of BIM for WHS management and the rationale for market leaders' role to catalyse a BIM-enabled WHS management ecosystem through procurement strategies and tendering proficiency. An international comparative analysis of BIM WHS is presented along with a BIM drivers and barriers critique, including a clustering into seven areas of market, perceptions and attitudes, leadership, supply chain integration and collaborative practice, procurement strategies and tendering proficiency, decision tools, and technical functionality. A focussed decision framework is outlined. The findings provide insights for researchers and practitioners to understand how a BIM-enabled WHS management system can be facilitated and supported through the project lifecycle.

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Chapter 4

DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-6600-8.ch004

ABSTRACT

The high rates of fatalities and injuries in the construction industry highlight the importance of work

health and safety (WHS). Building information modelling (BIM) could signiﬁcantly improve WHS

management in construction, but integration has been limited. The chapter explores the application of

BIM for WHS management and the rationale for market leaders’ role to catalyse a BIM-enabled WHS

management ecosystem through procurement strategies and tendering proﬁciency. An international com-

parative analysis of BIM WHS is presented along with a BIM drivers and barriers critique, including a

clustering into seven areas of market, perceptions and attitudes, leadership, supply chain integration and

collaborative practice, procurement strategies and tendering proﬁciency, decision tools, and technical

functionality. A focussed decision framework is outlined. The ﬁndings provide insights for researchers

and practitioners to understand how a BIM-enabled WHS management system can be facilitated and

supported through the project lifecycle.

Construction Work Health and

Safety Management Using

Building Information Modelling

Kerry London

Torrens University, Australia

Gurvin Kaur

Western Sydney University, Australia

Yingbin Feng

Western Sydney University, Australia

Angelica Vårhammar

Centre for Work Health and Safety, Australia

Gabrielle Wallace

Western Sydney University, Australia

Peng Zhang

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6855-3395

Western Sydney University, Australia

Swapan Saha

Western Sydney University, Australia

Payam Rahnamayiezekavat

Western Sydney University, Australia

92

Construction Work Health and Safety Management Using Building Information Modelling

INTRODUCTION

Construction is known as one of the most dangerous industries in which to work and many safety inci-

dents, injuries and fatalities could be prevented through improved design, planning and communication.

BIM is an enabler technology that involves the generation and management of digital WHS information

in construction. It facilitates the separation of people and hazards by the use of technology and data. The

purpose of this chapter is to better understand the application of BIM to support WHS management and,

specifically, the role the client can play in enhancing its application. Under this overarching aim, this

chapter will explore the use and adoption of BIM for WHS management; briefly examine the barriers

and enablers for BIM adoption; identify solutions for integrating WHS management in BIM-enabled

project planning, design and delivery; and explore procurement frameworks and the client’s role in the

use of BIM for WHS management. The chapter presents key results of Phase 1 of a four phase study

being conducted in New South Wales a state in Australia:

1. Phase 1: Identify solutions for integrating the WHS aspect in BIM-enabled project planning, design

and delivery.

Understand how and to what extent BIM is used and can be used for WHS management, including

identifying the different options of implementation and associated barriers, enablers, limitations,

and consequences for WHS risk reduction for the industry, the government and the regulator.

2. Phase 2: Evaluation of WHS management in BIM-enabled project proposals.

As part of a procurement process and identify preferred procurement models and best practices to

evaluate WHS management in BIM-enabled project proposals and recommend best way for

government agencies to evaluate the quality of WHS management in BIM-enabled project

proposals.

3. Phase 3: Evaluation of the proposed approach for its adoption

Understand the implications of the recommended solutions for integrating the WHS aspect in BIM-

enabled project planning, design and delivery (objective 1) and for enabling the evaluation of

WHS management in BIM-enabled project proposals at the procurement stage (objective 2).

4. Phase 4: Transfer of Knowledge and Dissemination.

Disseminate findings to the industry, to NSW citizens, to the students and to the research community.

However even given the local context the international setting is well considered and presented. It is

noted that the funder of the study is the multinational company Lendlease a globally recognised ‘digital

delivery’ innovator and so the study has significant international relevance.

BACKGROUND

The construction industry is well known for its hazardous working conditions and association with a

concerning number of injuries and fatalities. The issue of WHS is international, with the construction

industry responsible for the highest proportion of the 2.3 million work-related fatalities that occur around

the world each year (International Labour Organization, 2020). According to the Bureau of Labor Sta-

tistics (BLS, 2019) of the United States (US), construction worker fatalities are increasing (from 965

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Developing Client Leadership to Drive BIM Adoption for WHS Management

Article

Full-text available

Nov 2022

The construction sector consistently reports high numbers of injuries and fatalities. Many incidents can be avoided through better planning, design and construction practices, which can be supported by technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM). BIM adoption has been increasing in Australia, but its specific adoption to support work health and safety (WHS) goals remains limited. This paper presents findings from Phase 1 of a four-phase government-funded research project exploring how a large-scale industry-wide shift can be achieved. Phase 1 included a literature review that confirmed a lack of systematic studies that explore the potential use of BIM for WHS management in holistic ways and nine semi structured interviews of expert stakeholders to explore drivers and barriers to the adoption of BIM for WHS management. Using a two-stage qualitative analysis, the research team found four areas that were fundamental to achieving this shift: (1) Client Leadership, where clients with large infrastructure project portfolios created an environment prioritizing the structured, collaborative creation and use of information requirements across supply chains; (2) Tendering Proficiency where BIM for WHS information requirements were specified at early stages; (3) Best Practice, showing use of BIM across six WHS areas and (4) Supply Chain Monitoring.

ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.

Technical Report

Full-text available

Health and safety management using building information modelling: Phase One Report

November 2020

The construction industry is known as one of the most dangerous industries. Numerous safety incidents, injuries and fatalities could be prevented by improved communication and information flow and analysis in all phases of the asset lifecycle. The use of Building Information Modelling (BIM), a technology enabling the digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a building ... [Show full abstract] or infrastructure project offers the means of improving Work Health and Safety (WHS) outcomes in the construction industry. Yet, its application to WHS management, particularly in Australia, has been varied and inconsistent and the extent to which it can improve WHS outcomes in construction is unclear. The project “Work Health and Safety Management using Building Information Modelling” examines the opportunities to achieve WHS objectives through application of BIM in major construction projects. This technical report presents the outcomes of phase one of four phases, and identifies solutions for integrating the WHS aspect in BIM-enabled project planning, design and delivery. Specifically, this includes understanding how and to what extent BIM is used and can be used for WHS management, including different options of implementation and the associated barriers, enablers, limitations and consequences for WHS risk reduction for the industry, the government and the regulator. The outcomes of phase one provide the theoretical and practical context for phase two, which aims to identify preferred procurement models and best practices to evaluate WHS management in BIM-enabled project proposals and develop recommendations for government clients.

Technical Report

Full-text available

Health and safety management using building information modelling: Phase Three Report

December 2021

Construction presents high rates of fatalities and injuries and is known as one of the most dangerous industries in which to work. Many safety incidents, injuries and fatalities could be prevented through improved design, planning and communication. While its adoption has been varied and inconsistent, Building Information Modelling (BIM) is an enabling technology that can play a significant role ... [Show full abstract] in improving work health and safety (WHS) in this sector. Indeed, BIM offers an opportunity to support the elimination or mitigation of WHS risks through improved data and information management and communication; specifically, by enabling the generation and management of digital design and construction information from which WHS hazards and related risks can be better identified and managed. Data as an asset to manage is core to this suite of guidelines in the BIM for WHS Management Decision Framework. There has been a plethora of research studies in the past decade that have analysed the adoption of BIM within the industry in an attempt to improve communication, information flow, efficiencies and productivity. Equally, there has been numerous studies that have explored maturity and capability for adoption, identifying the need for new competencies and new models for adoption. The present study went a step further and leveraged innovative international practices that apply BIM specifically to work health and safety to deliver the BIM for WHS Management Decision Framework. The framework has four key components and provides guidelines to assist clients and their leadership teams on projects in developing the information environment that can support the integration of BIM for WHS management. Both public and private sector clients have much to gain from improved safety records.

Technical Report

Full-text available

Health and safety management using building information modelling: Phase Two Report

March 2021

Construction is one of the most dangerous sectors in Australia and we must do better. This detailed Technical Report is an analysis on how to improve information management through better planning, design and construction through integration of Building Information Management (BIM) and Work, Health and Safety Management. There is a short exec summary! Australia is a leader in WHS research with ... [Show full abstract] exemplary work being done at RMIT Helen Lingard and WSU Yingbin Feng and our research builds upon their impactful work and continues to build our international reputation. We showcase exemplars in our report and some very clever innovative practices to help drive even more novel approaches. The research is led by Torrens University Australia in partnership with NSW Centre for Work Health and Safety and Western Sydney University. The report is a precursor to a new Decision Framework with practical guide notes currently being finalised which will be launched publicly later this year.

Conference Paper

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BIM-enabled Safety Management for Facility Repair and Maintenance: A Review

June 2019

Safety has become a major concern in facility Repair and Maintenance (R&M) in recent years. Building Information Modeling (BIM) as an advanced technological tool, has been used to address safety issues in facility R&M. A review of previous research studies in BIM application in safety management of facility R&M personnel would be pivotal for the main stakeholders in the industry to share ... [Show full abstract] pioneering research findings and to identify future research trends. A three-step process consisting of literature searching, literature selection and literature screening was adopted in this research to obtain the relevant literature publications. Most of the research studies focused on proactive safety management to enhance safety performance of facility R&M. The key finding of the literature review includes studies up-to-date has focused on improving R&M safety during the facility design phase by developing different BIM-enabled tools which can be used for design reviews and accessibility verifications. Further, few studies adopted BIM for facility R&M safety at Facilities Management (FM) phase which were largely aimed at optimizing the safety information management. Moreover, this study has identified future research directions of BIM technology can be applied along with other advanced technologies (i.e. RFID, AR, QR and sensor data) and safety management concepts to ultimately enhance safety performance in R&M personnel. Further, the necessity of having a BIM-based tool which is capable in addressing all safety concerns relating to R&M and a futuristic mean to acquire facility managers' knowledge to implement BIM-based safety management tool were also identified as the potential future research directions.