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Construction companies have been reaping the benefits of BIM for a while now, highlighting its advantages in terms of cost-saving, improving project delivery deadlines, and producing better buildings overall, but what about its impact on health and safety?
Working in construction is notoriously demanding and comes with many health risks, so it’s no surprise that injuries and illnesses are a common occurrence! In this article, we will discuss the challenges of health and safety within the industry and what effects BIM can have to improve the safety culture of construction.
| The construction industry has long grappled with the challenge of workplace safety. Between 2019 and 2021, there were over 59,000 reported non-fatal work-related injuries, and potentially many more went unreported! This figure accounts for roughly 3% of all construction staff who experienced a workplace injury, a significantly higher proportion than in other major industries. On construction sites, you often encounter health and safety information, along with incident reports and risk assessment forms, typically stored in large piles of folders, complex spreadsheets, or scattered across various emails among relevant departments. While this approach might suffice for smaller construction companies with limited teams, it falls short for major projects with hundreds of workers and thousands of risks! Undoubtedly, health and safety is an essential aspect of day-to-day construction projects, but it doesn’t always seem to be the top priority. The pressures of approaching deadlines, inadequate training, and cost-cutting measures can all negatively impact health and safety practices. So, how can we enhance it? Building information modeling has unquestionably influenced numerous aspects of construction, with governments even mandating the use of BIM in public sector projects. While benefits are evident in terms of time and cost management, BIM can also have a positive impact on health and safety! |
We all recognize that BIM holds the power to simplify our lives in numerous ways! We employ it for precise cost estimation, timely project completion, and enhanced productivity. However, to guarantee the seamless execution of all these tasks, we must maximize construction safety and worker well-being! BIM can provide unprecedented solutions to safety challenges. We’ve outlined some of the most significant methods through which it can achieve this!
BIM lives up to its name by creating a 3D building model that empowers engineers, architects, and construction crews to envision their structure long before any bricks are laid. The benefits of this technology are numerous, particularly when it comes to workplace health and safety!
Having the ability to virtually explore the building before construction commences provides managers ample time to strategize for potential safety hazards and health risks. One could argue that many work-related injuries are unforeseen and accidental, especially in the construction industry. However, since BIM enables users to anticipate hazards long before they occur, there are no excuses! Furthermore, relevant safety information can be updated and incorporated into the 3D digital models at any time. It functions as a real-time, dynamic safety program for workers and crews, from project initiation to completion! Even newcomers to the team who may not be familiar with site conditions can quickly and comprehensively familiarize themselves using the models.
Project teams access all the data stored within BIM in one centralized space. BIM’s digital data model has transformed traditional paper-based recordkeeping into a practical 4D visualization that can be updated, studied, and shared continuously! This ensures that teams from every department remain fully up-to-date with all safety concerns and health risks, eliminating the possibility of miscommunication errors or lapses in judgment, as BIM has already calculated all the necessary data. Moreover, BIM automatically enhances safety management! The cumbersome folders filled with health administration forms, risk assessments, and incident reports will soon become obsolete. Consequently, the informational model can conveniently store all this information, enabling swift investigation and prevention of recurring workplace accidents in the future. Having all health and safety data stored in one place empowers architects, engineers, and construction teams to cultivate a safety culture within the construction site!
One of the construction industry’s most significant shortcomings is communication! Errors in communication prove costly, leading to unnecessary expenses, project delays, and, unfortunately, health and safety issues. However, BIM’s power is here to address this very problem! Its model actively encourages effective collaboration among all project stakeholders. The impact of this improvement is evident across various areas. Timelines and cost estimates become more accurate, rework instances decrease, and project deadlines are set and met promptly. All of this results from the fact that every team has access to a single set of plans. Changes can be proposed and implemented instantly. BIM provides a ‘single source of truth’ for teams to work with! The same principle applies to health and safety! Site-specific safety training and hazard communication can efficiently utilize the previously constructed 3D models. Teams can instantly report any changes to processes or safety procedures to site managers, enabling swift implementation by their crew. The precise data stored within the BIM models ensures absolute compliance with national safety regulations at every site!
BIM doesn’t merely serve as a model during the design and construction phases; it represents a dynamic dataset accessible and updatable throughout a structure’s entire lifecycle! Building managers can identify maintenance issues and execute necessary renovations by utilizing the original 3D models. Moreover, after the project’s completion and handover, BIM essentially transforms into a health and safety management system! The BIM models enable the minimization and even prevention of workplace accidents. Fire safety protocols can be easily maintained and updated when required, and comprehensive safety inspections can be routinely conducted to ensure a safer working environment.
As BIM enhances training, improves scheduling accuracy, and enhances hazard visibility, workers become better prepared for their jobs and can promptly recognize health and safety risks! BIM can analyze each specific task and determine the safest method for its execution. In addition to creating a safer working environment, this capability can even enhance the skill sets of construction crews and boost productivity within a project.
The broader perspective of health and safety encompasses more than just physical injuries and wounds. One critical aspect often overlooked in the construction industry is the impact of stress and mental health issues on safe working conditions! A construction worksite operates at an incredibly fast pace, creating a high-stress environment, particularly in today’s climate of tighter deadlines and the pressure to deliver top-quality results. It’s no surprise that workers can become overwhelmed and require time off. Despite the complexity of mental health awareness, BIM can also make a positive impact in this area! It clearly defines each worker’s roles and responsibilities, along with the appropriate amount of time required for each task. This ultimately reduces the workload for each employee and enhances overall productivity. Enhanced communication from management and precise scheduling guarantees that teams do not face excessive workloads. Consequently, they can execute tasks with heightened focus and reduced risk.
First and foremost, it’s crucial to acknowledge that BIM does not eliminate workplace injuries, and one should not consider it as an accident prevention device. BIM goes beyond being a collection of models that simply save costs; it represents a philosophy that promotes safe working practices, which can have a positive impact on teams and, ultimately, entire projects!
Despite some resistance to implementing BIM, many have questioned its relevance and genuine validity. Some have deemed it too expensive or complex to integrate. However, it’s essential to note that BIM is only beginning to unfold its potential. Its advantages permeate all facets of construction, and it continues to evolve as technology progresses. In our recent article, we addressed critical misconceptions about BIM. In terms of health and safety, the benefits we outlined are just a fraction of the ways BIM can have a positive impact. For instance, one significant development in enhancing safety in working environments is the utilization of AI technology. Architects, engineers, and construction managers will soon have the capability to virtually explore their buildings, identifying hazards well before any physical work commences! The influence of BIM is becoming increasingly evident worldwide. Countries such as the UK and Denmark have mandated the use of BIM in specific public projects. Undoubtedly, more nations will soon follow suit. This signifies a global recognition of BIM’s significance and potential impact on the construction industry.
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