Ketabi, A B and Heravi, G (2022) Developing a framework for evaluating construction project safety levels and optimal cost allocation to safety influential factors. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 29(2), pp. 643-668. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to explain how a framework could be developed for (1) the preliminary estimation of project safety level (PSL) in current projects, (2) the estimation of the maximum possible PSL using limited financial resources and (3) the estimation of the minimum financial resources required for reaching a specific PSL. Design/methodology/approach: The data of 95 steel structural building projects were collected via a questionnaire to evaluate the proposed framework for the Iranian construction industry. Based on unofficial local construction statistics and literature reviews, six safety influential factors (SIFs) were selected to which a cost could be assigned. The costs associated with various levels were also determined for each SIF through literature reviews and expert interviews. A multiple linear regression (MLR) model was developed as a predictive model to determine PSL for future projects based on the data of previous projects. Moreover, linear programming (LP) was applied to take modeling constraints and project conditions into account. Findings: The results demonstrated the impacts of all the factors on PSL and the model's potential for the preliminary estimation of PSL using SIFs. The results also indicated that a higher PSL could be achieved by optimizing the allocation of financial resources to each SIF. Originality/value: This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by developing a step-by-step framework to identify an optimal safety cost allocation (OSCA) to achieve the maximum possible PSL using a limited safety budget and considering the data of similar projects. The main objective was to promote project safety, decrease construction site injuries and fatalities and help local construction industries exploit potential financial advantages.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction industry; construction safety; linear programming; multiple linear regression; project management; project safety level; safety budget; safety influential factors |
| Index terms: | literature review, construction site, injury, interview, construction safety, body of knowledge, questionnaire, construction project, methodology, influential factor, estimation, construction statistics, linear programming, optimal cost, project management, fatalities, construction industry, modelling |
| Subjects: | knowledge management, data analysis and analytics, bidding, analytical methods, financial and cost management, work location, risk assessment, data collection methods, industry analysis, environmental health, quantitative and statistical methods, health conditions and diseases, production management, project management theory and practice, health risk and incident analysis, research methods, algorithms |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, Site Management, Information Management, Engineering Principles, Project Management, Research Practice, Health and Safety, Cost Management, Sustainability, Procurement, Risk Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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