Lingard, H; Pirzadeh, P; Blismas, N; Wakefield, R and Kleiner, B (2014) Exploring the link between early constructor involvement in project decision-making and the efficacy of health and safety risk control. Construction Management and Economics, 32(9), pp. 918-931. ISSN 01446193
Abstract
The position of the constructor in communication networks, including those before the commencement of construction, is likely related to the quality of work health and safety (WHS) outcomes realized. In order to examine the extent of this relationship, 23 cases were drawn from 10 participating construction projects in Australia and New Zealand. Social network analysis was used to mathematically and graphically model information exchanges in 13 of these cases. For each case, the quality of WHS risk control outcomes was measured. This measurement was based on an established 'hierarchy of control' in which risk controls are classified in descending order of effectiveness from the elimination of a hazard (the most effective) to the reliance on personal protective equipment (the least effective). Social network metrics were calculated reflecting: (1) the ratio of actual links among parties in the project network relative to the maximum number of links possible (network density); and (2) the extent to which the constructor communicated with other parties in pre-project planning and design stages (the constructors' degree centrality). Network metrics were compared for cases in which the risk control scores were higher and lower than average. The results showed a significant difference in constructors' pre-construction degree centrality for cases with high and low risk control scores. The results provide preliminary evidence as to the potential WHS benefits of ensuring that constructors' knowledge about construction methods, materials, WHS risks and means of risk control, are integrated into pre-construction decision-making.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction planning and design; constructor involvement; health and safety; risk control |
| Index terms: | Australia, pre-construction, New Zealand, density, construction planning, effectiveness, personal protective equipment, information exchange, construction method, social network, social network analysis, project network, communication network, health and safety, project planning, design stage, evidence, construction project, decision-making |
| Subjects: | data science, professional practice, project planning, analytical methods, project delivery, construction planning, control systems, evaluation and assessment methods, networking, occupational health and safety management, building construction, sociology, decision analysis, production management, health safety and environment, Geography, research methods, performance management |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Design Practice, Urban Studies, Digital Applications, Site Management, Research Practice, Project Management, Geographical Context, Health and Safety, Risk Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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