Application of BIM in Construction Safety

Abstract

The construction industry due to characteristics such as the dynamic work environments, the use of heavy equipment, and the seemingly unavoidable worker-hazard interactions which contribute to the disproportionate injury and illness rates is one of the most hazardous industry growing concern for safety has intensified regarding this industry over the past decades. Following the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 contractors began implementing safety programs and tools to reduce occupational safety and health hazards on construction sites or even prevent it in design stage. One new tools which may be used is building information modeling (BIM). This article introduces readers to the concept of BIM, its uses and benefits, particularly with respect to construction safety.

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Application of BIM in Construction Safety
Seyed Meysam Khoshnava 1, a*, Alireza Ahankoob2, b
Christopher Preece3, Raheleh Rostami4
1,2University Teknologi Malaysia, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Malaysia, Johor.
3Professor of International Construction Business at Razak School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, Malaysia,
kuala Lumpur
4University Teknologi Malaysia, Faculty of Built Environment, Malaysia, Johor.
aEmail: seyedmeysamkhoshnava@yahoo.com, bEmail: alireza.a1982@gmail.com
Abstract— The construction industry due to
characteristics such as the dynamic work
environments, the use of heavy equipment, and the
seemingly unavoidable worker-hazard interactions
which contribute to the disproportionate injury and
illness rates is one of the most hazardous industry
growing concern for safety has intensified regarding
this industry over the past decades. Following the
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
contractors began implementing safety programs and
tools to reduce occupational safety and health hazards
on construction sites or even prevent it in design
stage. One new tools which may be used is building
information modeling (BIM). This article introduces
readers to the concept of BIM, its uses and benefits,
particularly with respect to construction safety.
Keywords— Construction, Safety, BIM
1. INTRODUCTION
Construction worker safety and health; however, has
improved over the past decade, but it still continues to be
a concern for the Industry. According to the Bureau of
Labor Statistics (2010) Construction industry incurred
more fatal injuries of any industry and workers injuries
and illness costs billions each year (NSC, 2006).
1.1 CONSTRUCTION SAFETY:
Construction safety entails addressing the safety of
construction workers in the design of the permanent
features of a project (Gambatese et al. 2005). As an
intervention, it is supported by the hierarchy of controls
common to the safety and health professions which
identifies designing to eliminate or avoid hazards as the
preferable means for reducing risk (Manuele 1997).
History of safety in design roots back to 1985, when
the International Labor OYce (ILO) recognized the need
for design professionals to be involved and to consider
construction safety in their work. They recommended
that consideration be given by those responsible for the
design to the safety of workers who will be employed to
erect proposed buildings and other civil engineering
works (ILO, 1985).
The continuation of this approach is seen in different
regulations in the world mainly:
• The European Union Directive mandating
consideration of safety in the design (CEC 1992)
• The United Kingdom’s Construction (Design and
Management) Regulations (HMSO 1994)
• Similar responsibilities that are placed on designers
in some regions of Australia (Bluff 2003)
•The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
policy on construction site safety (Policy Statement
Number 350).
1.2 Application of software as a helpful tool in
design for construction safety knowledge:
The Construction Industry Institute (CII) in the
1990s was attempted to develop a software tool to assist
designers in recognizing project-specific hazards and in
providing them with design suggestions for consideration
in the project design (Gambatese, 1997) and recognizing
the lack of designer involvement in construction worker
safety due to their minimal education and experience was
boosted in this process for addressing safety on the
construction site.
The “Design for Construction Safety Toolbox,”
second edition, was developed by Marini and Hinze
(2007), through the support of the CII, to give design
professionals the ability to more quickly and easily
access design for construction safety suggestions.
Also, in continuation of these efforts The U.K.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was concerned that
safety should be as much a key aspect in design as it is
during construction and operation. A prototype was
developed which was primarily concerned with the
hazards while working at height, and accidents due to
falling objects. This prototype used software that was
developed by Singapore CORENET as the design
checking mechanism due to the building regulations
compliance checking is analogous to the checking of
designs against health and safety risks (HSE 2003).
Another effort is the SMART codes project, which
the International Code Council (ICC) started since 2004
to develop object based technology to represent their

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codes and to test submitted construction documents. The
key elements are a model checking application and
SMART codes. In this regard, an online version of the
Solibri software applied or the AEC3 XABIO web-based
test-bed could be adopted in the model checking
application.
Nowadays, several BIM-based software packages
have well established positions and are used by design
and construction professionals. Such tools form natural
starting points also for BIM-based site layout and safety
planning. As a part of early stages of research the current
BIM-based software tools available for site safety
planning were identified, and 6 soft-wares of those were
analyzed to find out the various suitable tools for
construction safety planning, based on the identified main
strengths and weaknesses.
The most important BIM software features for BIM-
based 3D/4D safety planning, management and
communication include:
1- 3D modeling and viewing capabilities
2- Tools for modeling landscape
3- Extended 3D object library
4- 4D tools and features
5- Tools for analyzing risks or safety of the designs
and plans, and
6- Data exchange capabilities
2. Building Information Modeling (BIM):
This Building information modeling is the
development and use of computer software model to
simulate the construction and operation of a facility. The
resulting model is a data-rich, object-oriented, intelligent
and parametric digital representation of the facility from
which views and data appropriate to various users’ need
can be extracted and analyzed to generate information
that can be used to make decisions and improve the
process of delivering the facility (Rajendran and Clark,
2011).
According to the USA General Services
Administration the process of BIM is revolutionary
because it provides the opportunity to migrate from
practices that are centered on human craftsmanship to a
more augmented and modern machine craftsmanship -
and all that this might imply.
In 2003 the General Services Administration (GSA)
established the National 3D-4D-BIM Program what has
led over 30 projects in its capital program, and is
assessing and supporting three dimensional (3D), four-
dimensional (4D), and Building Information Modeling
(BIM) applications in over 100 projects to date across the
nation. The power of visualization, coordination,
simulation, and optimization from 3D, 4D, and BIM
computer technologies allow GSA to more effectively
meet customer, design, construction, and program
requirements.
The BIM concept determines virtual construction of
a facility prior to its actual physical construction, in order
to reduce uncertainty, improve safety, work out
problems, and simulate and analyze potential impacts.
Also, BIM prevents errors by enabling conflict or 'clash
detection' whereby the computer model visually
highlights to the team where parts of the building may
wrongly contact and intersect like: structural frame and
building services pipes or ducts. Therefore 3D objects are
machine readable, spatial conflicts in a building model
which can be checked automatically. Because of this
capability, at both the design and shop drawing levels,
errors and change orders due to internal errors are greatly
reduced. Pieces can carry attributes for selecting and
ordering them automatically, providing cost estimates
and well as material tracking and ordering. Thus as a
building representation, BIM technology is far superior to
drawings.
The larger implications of BIM are not just
consistent drawings, cost estimation and bills of material
and clash detection. Because building models are
machine readable, it becomes practical to use the data
they carry in many other ways: for energy, lighting,
acoustic or other analyses - not as post facto checking if
an almost finished design is "OK", but rather to provide
feedback while designing, informing the designer of the
effects of changes or to explore the relative effect on
alternatives.
Thus building models allow better integration of
design processes, allowing the kind of exploration that is
equivalent to having a team of analyst consultants
assessing your design as you make explorations. The
result is that designers taking advantage of BIM can
develop and demonstrate design trade-offs in ways that
have been impossible in practice until now, and providing
better services. These capabilities also facilitate much
improved coordination and collaboration. For example,
Design-build and other forms of architect-contractor
teaming have been recognized as more efficient - in terms
of cost, time, and for reducing the potential for litigation.
Building models tremendously facilitate this process and
a 3D model is easier for all parties to interpret and
visualize.
2.1 BIM AND THE ISSUE OF SAFETY:
Today, Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the
construction industry is considered as a possible tool
which may help to improve worker safety and health.
BIM can be used in worker safety training and education,
design for safety, safety planning (job hazard analysis
and pre-task planning), accident investigation, and
facility and maintenance phase safety.

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According to AGC (2010), BIM uses include
visualization; scope clarification; partial trade
coordination; collision detection/avoidance; design
validation; construction sequencing planning/phasing;
plans/logistics; marketing presentations; options analysis;
walk-throughs and fly-throughs; virtual mock-ups; and
sight-line studies. Major benefits of BIM include:
• assisting with scoping during bidding and
purchasing;
• reviewing portions of the scope for analyses such
as value engineering;
• coordinating construction sequencing (even if only
for two trades);
• demonstrating project approaches during marketing
presentations;
• ability to identify collisions (e.g., identifying
ductwork running into structural members);
• ability to visualize what is to be built in a simulated
environment;
• fewer errors and corrections in the field;
• higher reliability of expected field conditions,
allowing for opportunity to do more prefabrication of
materials off site, which is usually a higher quality at a
lower cost;
• ability to consider more “what if” scenarios, such
as looking at various sequencing options, site logistics,
hoisting alternatives and costs;
• ability for nontechnical people (e.g., clients, users)
to visualize the end product;
• fewer callbacks and, thus, lower warranty costs.
2.1.1 BIM and Safety issue in Design Stage:
The one important objective in design process can be
the safety issue that designer with collaborating team can
be attention to that. In other words, constructors can take
protective procedures to exclude the construction site
hazards from the beginning of the project. For improve
this problem in this stage, technologies such as Building
Information Modeling (BIM) can help designers
implement the design for construction safety knowledge.
In this regard, BIM provide three-dimensional building
models for an efficient collaborating team works and
make the designing for construction worker safety
suggestions available to the designers and constructors.
2.1.2 BIM and Improving Site Safety:
The characteristics of modern construction business,
its projects and site operations are very challenging that
means complicated interplay of numerous partners and
companies. This complicated set up is also a challenge
for site safety management. BIM technology enabled new
tools, communication chances and procedures addressing
site safety aspects can in an effective manner help us to
promote top quality site safety planning.
Before initiating the construction work, the project
supervisor shall prepare construction site layout plan
showing how the site area is going to be used for
organizing the required construction operations. In that
connection the project supervisor shall, systematically
and adequately enough analyse and identify the hazards
and risk factors relating to the organisation, practical
arrangements and use of the specific construction site,
and eliminate them with appropriate measures.
According to the Act 205/2009, at a minimum the
following matters shall be taken into account when
planning the use of the construction site area:
1- Number and location of office facilities,
personnel rooms and storages
2- Placement of cranes, machinery and equipment
3- Placement of excavated earth and filling earth
4- Placement of areas for loading, unloading and
storing construction materials, substances and
prefabricated elements
5- Traffic in the construction site area, and
connecting points between internal and public
traffic
6- Means of access, ramps and transport routes,
and their maintenance
7- Order and cleanliness on the construction site
both placement of structures and equipment used
to defence and manage dust
8- Collecting, storing, removing and disposal of
waste and material which cause hazards for
health and safety
9- Fire fighting
10- Confining and arranging storage areas specially
while handling materials and substitutes which
cause hazards and harms for health and safety.
Al above mentioned matters shall be taken into
account in such a way that any risks of accident, health
hazards and risks of fire are minimised on the
construction site. Central parts of the plans for the
construction site use shall be presented as a construction
site layout plan, by construction stages when necessary.
The site layout plans shall be checked if conditions
change and they shall in any case be kept up to date.
In the traditional project supervisor, a 2D site layout
plan is prepared and the aim is to plan the site operations
and the required arrangements for enabling the planned
work to proceed as efficiently as possible during all
stages in construction. The site layout plan is used to
inform all parties of construction project about internal
and external logistic arrangements and the work and
safety arrangements that are included: site exclusion and
separation, logistic arrangements, site limitations,
dangers and protection, the number and location of office
facilities and personnel rooms, working places and areas,
site electrification and lightning, lifting arrangements and
transportation, intermediate storage arrangements and
logistics solutions for materials, fire fighting and
prevention of other special risks on site.
The same standards and good design principles apply
to BIM-based site layout planning as they do with the

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traditional two-dimensional planning. However, the BIM-
based practice offers also completely new opportunities
for site planning and presentation when passing that
information on.
At present, a static three-dimensional site layout plan
can be considered as a basic approach for preparing a
BIM-based site layout plan. Such a model is like a
snapshot of construction site at a certain point of time.
Therefore additional site layout models are needed while
the site arrangements change throughout different
construction phases. The ultimate target is to tackle these
dynamic changes with 4D site models in the future
(Sulankivi et al. 2009b). The site layout planning and
management systems based on 2D drawings can no
longer meet the planning needs, especially when some
resources operate or facilities are put inside the building
under construction. Site layout model should neither be a
static one nor a two-dimensional, instead, it should be a
dynamic encapsulating the whole 3D site (Zhaoyang et
al. 2005).
For example with BIM can layout tower crane for lift
planning and safety reviews during the construction
site.3D visualization can be used to check crane reach
and capability in construction work, as well as to
examine the risks in case of load fall, or to evaluate what
the crane jib could hit. The significance of this kind of
examination increases if there is limited space around the
construction site and clashes become possible.
Figure 1. Visualization of crane reach
Another application of BIM for safety in site
planning can be modeling of formwork equipment and
procedures during construction process. Examples of
those are viewing the BIM-based plans to gain a common
understanding or to see the details, or product and
quantity information. All together seven different field
trials were carried out during the one project.
Field trial
Results
1. Site layout plans and
crane reach
visualization related to
a crane collapse
BIM-based site layout
models (spatial
arrangements, temporary
facilities and structures),
and visualizations of risk
areas related to any
possible crane collapse at
site
2. Visualization of wall
demolition procedures
BIM-based model for
visualizing wall demolition
work
3. Modeling of safety
railings
BIM-based detailed models
with 3D guardrail
components
4. 4D-visualization of
floor form work with
needed falling
prevention solution
BIM-based 4D model of
form work for one concrete
casting area/segment
5. Expert analyses with
the aid of virtualized
construction site
Experiment of visualizing
the falling prevention plan
in multi-wall virtual reality
room (CAVE)
6. Automatic safety
analysis using BIM
technologies
Knowledge about
automated safety checking
of
buildings to be built
using model checker
software (SMC)
7. Site safety
communication and
BIM
Pilot use of LCD
information displays on a
construction site for
conveying safety relating
information
Table: Field trials for studying and demonstrating BIM
technologies for construction safety planning,
management and communication
2.1.2.1 Principles for applying BIM technology for site
safety
1) Main approaches for improving site safety with
digital models are:
A) To plan and model proactively the sequences of
tasks together with the needed safety arrangements and
utilities
B) To ensure that all constructions can be built
without any safety threat and necessary joints exists for
fixing the safety utilities, and
C) To document planned safety solutions in detail
and self-explaining way, and, this information to be
conveyed throughout all key players until the last worker
in chain.
2) The BIM based site layout plan proved to be a
useful tool and versatile visualization solution for
communication in real projects. The preparation of such
site layout model requires useful reasoning and thinking
that produces high quality site production plan compared
with traditional approaches which do not force one to
study carefully all needed arrangements.
3) Safety planning can be a part of 4D production
planning. This can create a safety planning practice that
is undertaken earlier than traditionally in construction
projects, and furthermore it can capture a more detailed
planning level.
Therefore, the main ideas for using BIM for improving
site safety would classified as followings:
1. BIM-based safety planning:
This covers site layout planning and falling
prevention planning, which are required by authorities at
some level.BIM can be used also to support planning of

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work tasks that include remarkable safety risks, e.g. form
work.
2. Risk analysis and safety related evaluations of plans
with help of BIM:
BIM can be used for risk analysis and safety related
evaluations of plans first visually, and in the future for
more automated risk identification.
3. 3D- and 4D-visualizations in safety related
communication:
BIM based visual 3D presentations promote the level
of communication in all stages of construction projects.
From viewpoint of safety, for example when introducing
the project to site staff, presenting safety arrangements
related to a specific work stage or task, and for warning
about current hazards.
4. Other use of BIM-based plans at site:
Other uses of BIM-based plan would be viewing the BIM
based plans to gain a common understanding or to see the
details, or product and quantity information.
2.2 Features of BIM-based tools from the safety planning
and management viewpoint:
Software explored and evaluated here covers Google
SketchUp (Google), ArchiCAD (Graphisoft), Tekla
Structures and Tekla Construction Management (Tekla),
Navisworks (Autodesk), and Solibri Model Checker
(Solibri Inc.). They were considered to be interesting for
use in safety planning, because safety should be
considered already in design phase, models created in
design phase are used in construction phase as source of
information or bases for production planning with help of
the same or compatible software, and additionally staff
responsible for safety planning are not willing to use
many separate software in their building projects. A short
description and the main strengths of each discovered
from the viewpoint of site safety planning are presented
in the following:
2.2.1 Google Sketch up software by Google Company:
First software is named Google Sketch up that is
produced by Google Company. For describing of this
software, it’s a simplified 3D modeling software meant
especially for architectural sketching. Additionally, some
contractors use the software for BIM-based site planning
and supporting communication.
The specific strengths of this are named Visual, easy
to use, low cost, and achieved considerable popularity in
professional use (especially among architects) and
Supports the use and distribution of pre-modeled 3D
components that placing models of buildings into the
Google Earth. One special feature is also dynamic
components. Also, considering software features from the
viewpoint of safety, weaknesses include limited tools for
modeling landscape, temporary excavations at site etc., as
well as lack of 4D-tools and IFC data exchange
capabilities.
2.2.2 ArchiCAD Software by Graphisoft:
This software is mostly used for BIM-based
architectural design and modeling software. The specific
strengths are named visually of high level, and provide
visualization tools such as virtual camera and possibility
to create animations directly from the model that includes
a tool for modeling landscape and soil layers (the mesh-
tool), Developed IFC data exchange capabilities, and
Easy to use but very limited 4D-tools if considering
temporary safety equipment (4D-tool available as a plug-
in).
2.2.3 Tekla Structures by Tekla Company:
The third software’s name is Tekla Structures that is
BIM-based structural modeling software and covers
modeling tools for steel structures, and concrete precast-
elements and cast-in-place structures, including details
such as reinforcements, welding, and other connections.
The specific strengths are: Provides opportunity to model
and define the assemblies of the structures corresponding
to the construction site implementation, as well as the
opportunity to create "intelligent" custom components for
safety planning also, Developed IFC data exchange
capabilities, and Selection of colors in modeling view
very limited, but wide range of colors available with help
of object representation rules up from version 17.
2.2.4 Tekla Construction Management (Tekla CM, by
Tekla):
This version of Tekla do not include any modelling
tools, but is a BIM-based planning tool for use at
construction site especially, and can be used for e.g.
viewing designs and organizing the content of a, creating
lists of model parts, quantity take-off, scheduling and
time management, as well as visualizing designs, plans
and schedules. The specific strengths for that are:
Provides advanced 4D capabilities, to get the 4D views
work correctly, and considering safety planning.
2.2.5 Navisworks (by Autodesk):
This software is BIM-based software for combining,
viewing and examining the content of various models, as
well as clash detection and 3D/4D visualizations that
does not include any modeling tools. The specific
strengths include: Able to read in and combine many
different file formats, and combined models are small of
file size.
2.2.6 Solibri Model Checker (by Solibri Inc.):
This software is used for combining, viewing and
examining the content of various BIM-models that
includes: special tools for rule-based automated checking
and analyzing, as well as for quantity and other
information take-off (a new Information take-off – tool)
and does not include any modeling tools. Models created
with help of other software can be used in IFC-file format
in Solibri. The specific strengths are: Rather easy to use
and yet versatile software for reviewing and examining

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models. The user can also edit and create new rule sets
for rule based checking and information take-off.
2.3 Some advantages and disadvantages related to the use
of an architectural model and the use of a structural
model:
Suitability of architectural BIM for site safety
planning:
1- Visual outlook is good
2- Geometry is correct but the division into the
sound structures is only suggestive or lacking
3- Lacks some structural parts or details.
Suitability of structural BIM for site safety planning:
1- Includes (most) structural details
2- Allows detailed planning (e.g. fixing of
temporary installations) lacks nonstructural parts
(e.g. doors, windows, non-load-bearing partition
walls).
3. Discussions and Recommendations
From the viewpoint of safety, the most important
benefits of building information modelling are related to
the potential for using BIM to plan and analyse safety,
safety management, communication and promoting
motivation of personnel. Additionally, 4D connects
safety more closely to production planning, and provides
possibility to simulations and up-to-date safety plans.
In other words, a BIM-based site plan can be used to
produce illustrative representations of the site and safety
arrangements, and the views can be used for orientation
of site workers, task guidance and instructions, for
informing about risks and for discussions with the client
concerning site arrangement, enclosure and temporary
roads and walkways. Because of the third dimension it is
possible to visualize and evaluate the risks that are related
to the crane placement, for example by carrying out clash
detections and analyzing collapse situations with help of
3D.
In addition, it is possible to see from the BIM-based
site plan the site and safety equipment, the quantity as is
required, as well as the product information, which is
needed in the ordering and selection process. The three-
dimensional BIM-based site plan is an intermediate phase
a route to extensive 4D product planning.
The most important benefits concerning 4D BIM and
the materials produced with help of a 4D BIM instead of
a 3D BIM based site plan are related to the potential for
conducting real time safety planning and connecting
safety plans to product planning.
In conclusion, a full exploitation of the opportunities
for improving safety with help of BIM technology
requires still further developing of the programs, tools
and working methods. Furthermore, there is a need to get
more practical experience of safety planning using BIM
and more competence in construction projects to use BIM
methods and programs.
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