Proactive Construction Safety Control: Measuring, Monitoring, and Responding to Safety Leading Indicators
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 139, Issue 10
Abstract
When constructing and updating the built environment, ensuring the safety of all parties involved is of utmost importance. Traditionally, safety has been measured and managed reactively, where actions are taken in response to adverse trends in injuries. Alternatively, safety-related practices can be measured during the construction phase to trigger positive responses before an injury occurs. Despite the potential benefits of such strategies, few have been identified in the literature and there has yet to be an organized effort to codify and investigate these methods. A mixed-methods research approach was used to (1) clearly identify and define elements of the safety management process that can be measured and monitored during the construction phase, (2) describe resource requirements for measurement, monitoring, and response, and (3) describe specific management actions required when any indicator fails to satisfy a desired value. To produce internally and externally valid and reliable results, data were triangulated from case studies, content analysis of award-winning projects, and focused discussions among construction safety experts. In total, over 50 proactive metrics were identified, 13 of which were selected as top priority by expert professionals. Use of these indicators has been connected to exceptional safety performance in industry-leading organizations. The implication of the findings is that very strong safety outcomes can be expected if contractors build upon a robust safety management foundation with the use of these methods of project safety control.
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Acknowledgments
The writers would like to thank the Construction Industry Institute for providing support for this research. Additionally, the authors thank the members of Research Team 284 for their enthusiastic participation and essential contributions.
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© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 21, 2012
Accepted: Apr 24, 2013
Published online: Apr 26, 2013
Published in print: Oct 1, 2013
Discussion open until: Dec 26, 2013
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