Using safety system during the design phase to minimize waste in construction projects

Abstract

Achieving construction projects (CPs) with minimal waste requires not only good construction planning, but also effective management for safety and waste of resources through the project cycle. The aim of this paper is to identify and rank safety factors (SF) during the design phase (DPh) of a project that have positive effects in minimizing waste (cost, time and materials) during its construction. Data and information was gathered from available literature, structured interviews, and questionnaire conducted for 111 randomly selected construction organizations. Triangulation method to enhance the validity and reliability of the study findings was used. The research revealed 18 important SF that had positive effects on minimizing waste in CPs during the DPh. The five most important SF that should be considered to minimise waste are: capabilities and behaviour of the design team in the safety field, appropriateness of quantities and specifications for safety system (SS), appropriateness of foundation system for SS, appropriate public and special conditions for SS and appropriate electrical design for SS. The best linear model was developed on the basis of the importance index of the identified factors. A model was developed to minimize waste in CPs by using SS during the DPh. It is recommended that adequate attention must be given to safety criteria during DPh to minimize resources waste.