BIM and project planning integration for on-site safety induction

Abstract

Purpose – The section of the research presented in this paper reviews and explores health and safety (H&S) issues on construction sites. It has the sole intention of using better computer visualisation to meet the needs of site practitioners in understanding such H&S problems.
Design/methodology/approach – The methodology follows a traditional literature review approach to understand the development of BIM technology up to its current status. A questionnaire survey was conducted to gather information on the embedding of H&S planning by site practitioners within the BIM environment.
Findings – BIM has the potential to be used in H&S planning procedures, particularly in those related to tasks on construction sites. A framework for an integrated visual tool is developed for better H&S practice on site. It may be used actively by all practitioners, starting with site induction, and addresses, inter alia, personal hazard perception.
Research limitations/implications – This paper provides a foundation for developing a tool that helps construction personnel explore potential H&S risks on site before construction begins. By introducing a framework for integrating BIM and project planning, a prototype can be developed to demonstrate the application of the proposed framework.
Originality/value – The research presented in this paper introduces BIM usage during the construction stage as a tool that supports a H&S toolbox. The paper proposes the useful framework for better H&S practice on site that can be used actively by all practitioners. The intention is to find a way forward in addressing ‘real’ H&S site issues that may not be easily understood by practitioners without the full aid of visualisation scenarios.