A new study from Dodge Data & Analytics,
in partnership with theCenter for Construction Research and Training (CPWR)
and United Rentals, reveals two critical
trends for improving construction safety — jobsite technologies and the
practice of Prevention through Design (PtD). The study, Safety Management in the Construction Industry
2017, is
the third in a series of studies demonstrating the financial and project
benefits that contractors reap from safety investments. It also shows the
impact that new technologies deployed onsite, from building information
modeling (BIM) to drones to wearable devices, have on improving safety.
The study examined the
degree to which contractors are deploying technologies that can help improve
jobsite safety, such as BIM, mobile tools, and emerging technologies like
drones and wearable devices, and how those technologies are already helping to
improve safety. It shows
that investment in safety has a positive impact on project budgets, schedules,
quality, and business factors such as a contractor’s standing in the industry
or ability to contract new work. Contractors reporting positive impacts see a
nearly 5 percent reduction in project schedule and a 4 percent reduction in project
costs, on average.
The study followed up on
the 2012 and 2015 findings on leading indicators of a positive safety culture
and climate on jobsites. “This survey helps us track what is happening in the
industry relative to each leading indicator,”
says Chris Cain, executive director, CPWR, in the press release. “These findings are extremely useful in
identifying needs and opportunities for improvement.”
“Technology is
drastically improving jobsite safety, providing tangible results in protecting
workers and firms alike,” says Jim Dorris, United Rentals’ vice president of
environmental, health and safety, in the press release. “Evolving data
platforms, tools, and service capabilities will deliver innovative new safety
solutions, and United Rentals is excited about the emerging roadmap to safer
projects of all types.
The study also shows that, even though
PtD is still an emerging practice, it is well-positioned to gain wider
acceptance in the design and construction industry. While few architects were aware of the formal
name for PtD before taking the survey, the use of these practices occurred at
least to some degree. The
biggest barrier to wider use of PtD among architects is concern about
construction liability followed by lack of client interest. Yet most architects
said they would be influenced by requests from their clients to take this
approach, and more than two thirds said they would be influenced by insurance
incentives.
“The survey findings confirm two things we have been hearing for
years,” says Cain in the press release. “Owners drive construction safety and
health, and architects are reluctant to implement PtD solutions without client
pressure. By ensuring the entire team, starting with the owner/client, focuses
on preventing jobsite hazards, we will continue to see improvements in worker
injuries, illnesses, and fatality rates.
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