Improving health and safty in construction: A knowledge-based approach

Within the past decade, the application of the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations (CDM) and other relevant legislation by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has contributed to efforts to improve the health and safety culture of the construction industry. However, when compared to other industries, construction still has a relatively poor health and safety record. In order to change this depressing situation, several efforts are being made to reduce the number of deaths, injuries and ill health. Such efforts basically involve identifying the root causes of accidents, developing safety audit checklists and creating models of risk factors for accidents in construction operations amongst others. However, evidence suggests that the effectiveness of health and safety management would require recalling and integrating knowledge of different duty holders relating to design, construction, operation and maintenance. Currently, knowledge-based applications focus on various aspects of construction management. However, very little has been done to incorporate the application of knowledge-based systems in the multidisciplinary health and safety management to date. Outlining the current knowledge-based systems and cases of using these tools in other construction domains provides sound evidence that knowledge-based systems can efficiently and effectively aid decision support. A case review of a knowledge-based system specific for designers for construction health and safety provides a concrete example of such an initiative. To improve upon these developments, a conceptual framework for identifying the knowledge chunks underpinning the application of The CDM Regulations in the entire supply chain was, therefore, conducted. Subsequently, the role knowledge-based systems can play in improving overall construction health and safety management was also investigated. Finally, suggestions for implementing further research are presented as a means of engendering wide debate.