Linking construction fatalities to the design for construction safety concept

Research and practice have demonstrated that decisions made upstream from the construction site can influence construction worker safety. The design for construction safety concept is defined as the consideration of construction site safety in the design of a project. Globally, the concept has gained momentum as an intervention to improve worker safety. However, in the US construction industry, numerous barriers exist that preclude this concept from becoming a standard practice. This research established a clear link between construction fatalities and the design for construction safety concept. Two-hundred and twenty-four fatality investigation reports were reviewed and a link to the design for construction safety concept was determined. The results show that 42% of fatalities reviewed were linked to the concept; the associated risk that contributed to the incident would have been reduced or eliminated had the design for construction safety concept been utilized. The specific characteristics of construction projects were evaluated and those which lend themselves to the greatest risk reduction within the scope of the concept were identified. The US construction industry should implement the concept of designing for construction safety as a standard practice to reduce overall project risks. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.