Formal Prevention through Design Process and Implementation for Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Worker Safety
Publication: Journal of Management in Engineering
Volume 38, Issue 5
Abstract
There are many studies that focus on Prevention through Design (PtD) for construction workers and developing formalized PtD processes for construction projects. However, few studies have aimed at developing a formalized PtD process for mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) worker safety. A formal process for implementing PtD for MEP worker safety is badly needed because MEP work onsite and during operation and maintenance (O&M) can lead to injury and death. To address this knowledge gap, our research team aimed to create a formalized PtD process for MEP safety and developed case studies that detail how the process can be implemented in the field. The formalized process and case studies would then be used in an implementation guide created specifically for the industry. This project was completed through expert interviews, six case studies, and ongoing discussion and review by an Industry Advisory Council. Using these methods, the team identified factors for implementation success and developed a formalized PtD process specific to the MEP worker context. The process consists of five phases: (1) hazard identification, (2) risk assessment, (3) design review, (4) implementation, and (5) learning. We anticipate that this study will contribute to the field of PtD research through creating one of the first formalized PtD processes for MEP construction and O&M worker safety, and through a cross-case analysis of the six PtD cases that indicated not only the importance of stakeholder engagement and cross-disciplinary dialogue, but that effective PtD implementation can occur even outside of a collaborative project delivery context at any point during design and construction.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
This study was funded by the SHIP Grant Program of the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (Project No. 2019ZH00418). Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SHIP Grant Program. The authors thank their industry supporters for participating in the study.
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Journal of Management in Engineering
Volume 38 • Issue 5 • September 2022
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© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 30, 2021
Accepted: May 11, 2022
Published online: Jul 13, 2022
Published in print: Sep 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Dec 13, 2022
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