Increasing Engineers’ Role in Construction Safety: Opportunities and Barriers
Publication: Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 131, Issue 3
Abstract
A number of factors suggest engineering and construction professionals should discuss increasing designers’ role in construction safety. Design civil engineers could contribute to construction worker safety by performing five tasks differently than current custom and practice: reviewing their designs, creating design documents, assisting the owner in procuring construction, reviewing submittals, and inspecting work in progress. However, four sets of major barriers would prevent designers from increasing worker safety through these tasks: lack of safety expertise, lack of understanding of construction processes, typical contract terms, and professional fees. Potential ways for reducing these barriers are suggested. The United Kingdom regulations requiring engineers to design for safety are summarized, but it is concluded that similar legislation in the United States would not be appropriate.
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Acknowledgments
This paper was based on an invited presentation at the Designing for Safety and Health in Construction Symposium held September 15–16, 2003 in Portland, Oregon and sponsored by the University of Oregon Labor Education and Research Center, the Center to Protect Workers’ Rights, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the Oregon State University Construction Engineering Management Program. Dr. John Gambatese, Stewart Burkhammer and Danezza Quintero in OSHA's Directorate of Construction, several employees of Jacobs Engineering, and three anonymous JCEM reviewers reviewed a draft of this manuscript and provided helpful comments and text additions.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 131 • Issue 3 • July 2005
Pages: 199 - 207
Copyright
© 2005 ASCE.
History
Received: Nov 25, 2003
Accepted: Mar 23, 2004
Published online: Jul 1, 2005
Published in print: Jul 2005
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