Recently, formal approaches to interface management (IM) have been adopted in a number of large-scale engineering and construction (E&C) projects. However, understanding of the role and performance of IM practices in E&C projects is quite limited today. Given this circumstance, this paper attempts to understand the effectiveness of IM practices in E&C projects from the perspective of dealing with project complexity. To fulfill the objective, data on project complexity and IM practices were collected from 45 large-scale E&C projects and analyzed using quantitative analysis methods such as principal component analysis and linear regression. The data analysis revealed that current formal IM practices employed in E&C projects are effective for mitigating the adverse impact of project complexity originating from uncertainty in scope and communication and large numbers of stakeholders; however, they are not as effective for dealing with project complexity originating from large numbers of engineered ite...

Many researchers, as well as industry practitioners, believe that offsite construction methods are associated with a lower level of worker safety risks than traditional onsite construction methods. This study aims to test such belief by comparing the list of worker safety risks identified by site supervisors for both onsite and offsite construction scenarios for the same building components. Specifically, Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS)—prejob hazard assessments required by law in Australia—were collected from two projects where offsite manufacturing has been used, and they were used as a basis for the investigation. Additionally, interviews were conducted with the site supervisors who developed the Statements for a more in-depth investigation of the worker safety risks involved with onsite and offsite construction methods, respectively. The analysis reveals that the total risk score (the higher the score, the more numerous the safety risks) would decrease in the offsite construction scenarios in each case, mainly due to significantly fewer work-at-height tasks included in the offsite construction scenarios. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing an empirical, evidence-based explanation for why offsite construction can help reduce safety risks on construction sites.

During the last several decades, behavior-based safety (BBS) has drawn a considerable amount of attention in the construction industry. The focus of BBS is on improving construction workers’ safety behavior through feedback and increased self-awareness and motivation. Among the influencing factors of safety behavior, social norm is known to be a powerful mechanism that regulates workers’ safety behavior. However, it is unclear how social norms are developed and through which process social norms influence an individual worker’s safety behavior in construction projects. Additionally, the temporary and contract-based nature of employment in construction projects makes understanding the influence of different social norms on workers’ safety behavior in construction projects especially difficult. Given this background, this paper aims to better understand the process by which different social norms exert control over construction workers’ safety behavior. To achieve this goal, empirical data were coll...

Understanding the causal relationships between safety management system (SMS) factors and accident precursors helps construction organizations identify which factors require improvement upon observing an accident precursor. Previous research has not clearly distinguished between SMS factors and accident precursors. This background examines the relationships between SMS factors and accident precursors using empirical data. Specifically, five structural equation models (SEMs) were developed to map causal paths between SMS factors and accident precursors. Each of the SEMs helps identify what specific SMS factors would have a significant influence on the occurrence of a particular type of accident precursor. These models can thus help describe what specific SMS factors would need to be improved when a certain type of accident precursor appears on site. The SEM results show in particular that the occurrence of accident precursors can be attributed largely to adverse project conditions such as project schedule pressure, reworks, and change orders. Construction organizations may capitalize on these findings by prioritizing safety management resources to address specific observed accident precursors in a more informed and targeted manner.

The performance of a safety management system (SMS) is influenced by a large number of internal and external factors. Loss of control of these factors can create unsafe conditions, which can eventually lead to worksite accidents. Identification and prioritization of these factors is crucial for optimal SMS performance. However, because of the complex and dynamic nature of accident occurrence, identification and control of critical SMS factors and accident precursors remains difficult in practice. This paper proposes the use of a risk-rating approach for understanding the complexity between SMS factors and accident precursors from a holistic perspective. This approach allows for not only the identification of high-priority SMS factors and accident precursors, but also the evaluation of associations between these groups. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, risk ratings for a comprehensive set of SMS factors and accident precursors were collected from 96 construction professionals in Alberta, Canada. The results demonstrated that contract schedule, skilled worker availability, and change orders were the highest-priority SMS factors in the region. Results also found the highest-priority accident precursors to be workers’ failure to identify hazards, congestion, and workers’ neglect of hazards. Associations between factors and precursors were also examined and were found to be present between several SMS factors and accident precursors. Overall, this method allows practitioners to identify high-priority accident precursors and to determine which SMS factors are associated with these precursors. These findings can assist practitioners in determining which SMS factors should be controlled if certain accident precursors are observed and, conversely, which accident precursors are most likely to occur if critical SMS factors are present on site.