The Systematisation of Safety in Design Implementation in the New Zealand Construction Industry

Abstract

Compared to other industries, the construction sector performs poorly in health and safety, with a staggering number of injuries and fatalities. A significant percentage of accidents were closely linked to a lack of consideration for ‘Safety in Design’ (SiD) and its implementation. The gaps lie in the unrevealed SiD factors, dynamics interactions, SiD maturity metrics, safe design knowledge shortage, and effective methods to educate designers. This research aims to develop a comprehensive framework for effectively and strategically implementing SiD. The research explored factors influencing SiD and investigated strategies advancing its implementation and improving workers’ health and safety through design activities. This study identifies five aspects of implementing SiD: (1) Critical factors affecting SiD implementation. (2) Motives within system dynamics interactions. (3) Leading indicators measuring the SiD maturity. (4) Significant design features mitigating hazards. (5) A Conceptual framework including safe design practice training. This research applied in-depth interviews with participants with SiD experience in New Zealand and this research proceeded through: (1) Grounded theory to reveal unearthing underpinned theories. (2) System dynamics analysis to investigate inherent motives and interactions. (3) Rigid programmatic triangulation method to decide leading indicators. (4) Computational methods in finalising significant design features. (5) Prototype integrating the elements of high technologies. The results suggested that the potential factors were attributed to a theoretical framework, including critical factors, challenges and opportunities. The identified leading indicators are legislation change and designers’ knowledge, while significant design features mitigating highly lethal hazards were investigated in the built environment, such as accessibility and spatiality. This research added significant value to theory and practice: (1) An analytical framework that includes research trends and potentials guiding future research. (2) A theoretical framework initiated with unified terminology to guide decisionmaking. (3) A system dynamics model revealing motives and interactions. (4) A programmatic method determining leading indicators. (5) The computational method pioneered the generation of significant design features. (6) A framework conceptualised in safe design training with explicit development processes outlined in the prototype. (7) A comprehensive framework encompassing enabling factors and strategies was developed.