The relationship between pre-construction decision-making and the effectiveness of risk control

Abstract

Purpose -The research explores the relationship between the timing with which decisions are made about how to control work health and safety (WHS) risks in construction project (i.e, either pre-or post-construction) and the quality of risk control outcomes. Design/methodology/approach -Data was collected from 23 construction projects in Australia and the United States of America (USA). 43 features of work were identified for analysis and decision-making in relation to these features of work was mapped across the life of the projects. The quality of risk control outcomes was assessed using a classification system based on the 'hierarchy of control.' Within this hierarchy, technological forms of control are preferable to behavioural forms of controls. Findings -The results indicate that risk control outcomes were significantly better in the Australian compared with the US cases. The results also reveal a significant relationship between the quality of risk controls and the timing of risk control selection decisions. The greater the proportion of risk controls selected during the pre-construction stages of a project, the better the risk control outcomes. Research implications -The results provide preliminary evidence that technological risk controls are more likely to be implemented if WHS risks are considered and controls are selected in the planning and design stages of construction projects. Practical implications -The research highlights the need for WHS risk to be integrated into decision-making early in the life of construction projects. Originality/value -Previous research has linked accidents to design. However, the retrospective nature of these studies has not permitted an analysis of the effectiveness of integrating WHS into pre-construction decision-making. Prospective studies have been lacking. This research provides empirical evidence in support of the relationship between early consideration of WHS and risk control effectiveness.

Key attributes of designers' competency for prevention through design (PtD) practices in construction: a review

“…elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment). For instance, the spectrum of exposure to a hazard in the operation/maintenance stage of a facility could have different implications, as compared to short-term exposure to a hazard in the construction stage (Lingard et al, 2015). The ability to recognise hazards and its control measures in different phases of construction projects could facilitate decision making (e.g.…”

“…The existing characteristics of project teams (e.g. different organisational and professional interests, varying levels of knowledge and experience) certainly affect the efforts towards developing a collective approach in managing OSH (Lingard et al, 2015).…”

The design coordination role at the pre-construction stage of construction projects

“…Many research initiatives have therefore examined the impact of particular concepts and factors in respect of OSH risks management. These include: (i) the prevention through design concept which research encompasses the importance and motivation Behm et al, 2014;Gambatese et al, 2005;Gambatese et al, 2017;Hallowell & Hansen, 2016;HSE, 2015;Lingard et al, 2015;Poghosyan et al, 2018), required tools by designersincluding PDsto meaningfully implement the concept (Cooke et al, 2008;Dewlaney & Hallowell, 2012;Gambatese et al, 1997;Sacks et al, 2015;Zhang et al, 2015;Zhou et al, 2012;Zhou et al, 2013), and the competence requirements of designers and PDs in respect of the concept (Ibrahim et al, 2020;Goh & Chua, 2016: Manu et al, 2019a, 2019b; (ii) culture and unsafe attitudes and behaviours of workers (Grytnes et al, 2020;Lingard et al, 2020;Sherratt et al, 2013); (iii) implementation of regulation and legislation resulting from the policy studies (Aulin & Capone, 2010;Giusti et al, 2016); (iv) corporate criminal liability for OSH (Ndekugri, 2013); and (v) education and training (Behm et al, 2014;Lopez-Arquillos et al, 2015).…”

Priority analysis of pre-investment risks

“…Some of the risk considerations will be used for this research. Lingard et al (2014) explored the relationship between the timing with which decisions are made about how to control risks in construction projects (i.e. either pre-or post-construction) and the quality of risk control outcomes.…”

“…The sample size is an important consideration. The Kish Equation (Kish, 1965) was used because of the small sample population size. The formula is (n = (n 1 )/(1 + (n 1 /N)).…”