Showing papers by "Matthew R. Hallowell published in 2013"

Proactive Construction Safety Control: Measuring, Monitoring, and Responding to Safety Leading Indicators

Abstract: When constructing and updating the built environment, ensuring the safety of all parties involved is of utmost importance. Traditionally, safety has been measured and managed reactively, where actions are taken in response to adverse trends in injuries. Alternatively, safety-related practices can be measured during the construction phase to trigger positive responses before an injury occurs. Despite the potential benefits of such strategies, few have been identified in the literature and there has yet to be an organized effort to codify and investigate these methods. A mixed-methods research approach was used to (1) clearly identify and define elements of the safety management process that can be measured and monitored during the construction phase, (2) describe resource requirements for measurement, monitoring, and response, and (3) describe specific management actions required when any indicator fails to satisfy a desired value. To produce internally and externally valid and reliable results, da...

Construction-Safety Best Practices and Relationships to Safety Performance

Abstract: The construction industry has experienced a great deal of safety improvement after the Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act in 1970. In the last twenty years, improvements have been made largely due to safety interventions that exceed compliance with government regulations. Researchers have long attempted to identify the most effective safety programs. However, studies in the past focused only on a small subset of potential injury-prevention options. In addition, to date, there has yet to be a study that documents a comprehensive list of safety strategies implemented by industry-leading companies. This research addresses this knowledge gap by creating a comprehensive list of construction-safety strategies from relevant literature and supplementing it with input from an expert panel. Once the strategies were identified (n=104), the research team conducted interviews with representatives from 57 projects in the United States to determine which strategies were implemented on each pr...

Relationship between Construction Safety and Quality Performance

Abstract: It is well established that the project cost, quality, safety, and duration are the four critical elements that contribute to project success. Past literature has established theoretical relationships between construction safety and quality on the basis of opinions of industry experts. This is the first empirical inquiry into the relationship between safety and quality, testing the null hypothesis that there is no statistical relationship among quality performance indicators and safety performance indicators. To test this hypothesis, empirical data were collected from 32 building construction projects, ranging in scope from $50,000 to $300 million dollars. Several quality metrics (e.g., cost of rework per $1M project scope and rate of rework per 200,000 worker-hours) were used as predictor variables and first aid and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recordable injury rates were used as response variables. Linear regressions among the predictor and response variables showed that...

Measuring and modelling safety communication in small work crews in the US using social network analysis

Abstract: Effective safety communication between all parties in a construction project is essential for optimal safety performance. Literature suggests that open safety communication across all levels of the organization enhances safety success. Previous studies have found that open communication and frequent interaction between employees and supervisors differentiate construction companies that have low accident rates from companies that have high rates. Through interviews with construction crew members on active construction projects in the Rocky Mountain region of the US, the patterns of safety communication were identified, modelled, and quantified. Social network analysis (SNA) was utilized to obtain measures of safety communication such as centrality, density, and betweenness within small crews and to generate sociograms that visually depicted communication patterns within effective and ineffective safety networks. A cross-case comparison revealed that the frequency and method of communication are important d...

Relationships among Language Proficiency, Communication Patterns, and Safety Performance in Small Work Crews in the United States

Abstract: The construction industry employs approximately 6% of all U.S. workers but accounts for over 16% of all occupational fatalities. Recent statistics indicate that over 40% of all U.S. construction laborers cannot speak English proficiently. To ensure strong safety performance, it is vital to include every individual in a construction crew in safety-related communications, regardless of language proficiency. Considering that most safety communication is delivered in English, it is not surprising that Spanish-speaking construction workers are fatally injured at a disproportionate rate. To conduct the first exploration of the characteristics of strong, multilingual safety networks in the Denver Metropolitan region of the United States, a multilingual research team conducted interviews with the members of 14 construction crews. Demographic attribute data for each individual (e.g., language proficiency, years of experience, position in the company) and network data were collected to analyze the safety co...

Integration of safety risk data with highway construction schedules

Abstract: The construction industry is characterized by a relatively high injury and illness rate compared to other industries. Within the construction industry, the highway construction and maintenance sector is one of the most dangerous. To improve safety in this sector, proactive methods of safety improvement and reliable risk data are needed. The safety risk quantification is the first step towards integrating safety data into design and planning. To enhance the current preconstruction safety practices, safety risks of highway construction and maintenance tasks were quantified and a decision support system was developed and tested that integrates safety risk data into the project schedules. Relative safety risks were quantified for 25 common highway construction tasks using the Delphi method. To ensure valid and reliable results, experts were selected according to rigorous requirements and multiple controls were employed to decrease cognitive biases. The data were incorporated into a decision support system cal...

A tool for enhancing innovation in construction organizations

Abstract: A 12-person-sponsored research team consisting of three academic researchers and nine experienced practitioners conducted a three-year investigation into ways to enhance innovation within engineering-procurement-construction organizations. Data from the literature combined with over 150 surveys of active practitioners were used to identify and classify factors that influence an organization's ability to generate and implement new ideas that improve business performance. The salient factors were then identified and their relative impact was rated using the nominal group technique. Finally, these data were organized into a maturity model tool that was pilot tested on four active construction organizations. The results of this study can be used by construction organizations to identify and respond to their innovation-related weaknesses. The hundreds of hours of discussions of the 12-member research team and the fairly large set of empirical data collected by the team confirm the value of the existing constru...

Enterprise Risk Management Strategies for State Departments of Transportation

Abstract: The leaders of DOTs and other public agencies that build and operate capital facilities manage a multitude of human, technological, political, technical, and natural resources in an environment that is fraught with uncertainty. To ensure success, these agencies must be able to manage risks at multiple levels. Although there is a great deal of literature and research relating to project risk management for public projects, there has yet to be a study that evaluates enterprise risk management (ERM) for DOTs. The objectives of this study are to describe the state-of-practice with respect to risk management in state DOTs and to identify executive strategies that may be useful to DOT leadership for enterprise-wide risk management. This paper presents the results of a comprehensive survey with responses from 43 of the 52 United States DOTs that identify and describe the currently implemented ERM strategies. The findings from the literature and survey were validated through interviews with top DOT manage...

Policy Development: A Key Factor in Promoting PTD

Abstract: In August 2011, NIOSH hosted “Prevention Through Design: A New Way of Doing Business,” a conference attended by 175 stakeholders that focused on applying prevention through design (PTD) principles within multiple industry sectors. Conference tracks focused on education, research, practice and policy. All presentations are available on ASSE’s website (www.asse.org/professionalaffairs_new/ptd.php). Although no presentations specifically addressed policy, this article provides an opportunity to identify policies that relate to PTD and influence its advancement and diffusion throughout multiple industries. The term policy is vague and has many meanings. A common thread across definitions is that policies dictate a proposed course of action and are typically set by organizations or institutions, rather than by individuals. Safety professionals can help their organizations establish and enforce safety-related policies, many of which may be borrowed from or reference policies established by national trade associations or consensus standards on this topic. Policies and standards together effect change in safety culture. This article summarizes PTD-related policies associated with federal agencies and national organizations. Many SH&E professionals and researchers regard this concept as a highly promising means for reducing occupational hazards by engineering out hazards faced by users, manufacturers, constructors and maintenance workers. SH&E professionals and design engineers have different roles in PTD. Typically, safety professionals develop, enforce and monitor safety-related policies, while design engineers address technical details of project design and execution, and comply with project specifications, building codes and regulations. Therefore, the owner may influence adoption of PTD policies by including an SH&E professional on project design teams, beginning with the kickoff team that meets at the conceptual design stage. PTD policy influences the development of consensus standards when such standards are adopted by many different organizations. This assumption is explicitly recognized in “Prevention Through Design: Plan for the National Initiative” (NIOSH, 2010a), which identifies goals relating to research, practice, education and policy. As reported in that document: 4) Policy: Business leaders, labor, academics, government entities, and standard-developing and -setting organizations endorse a culture that includes PTD principles in all designs affecting workers. Policy focuses on creating demand for safe designs for workers and incorporating these safety and health considerations into guidance, regulations, recommendations, operating procedures and standards. Most urgent to PTD implementation is the development of a broad, overarching policy that will guide the effort to establish processes and programs for enterprises of all sizes, across all industrial sectors. Outcome-based guidance for the implementation of industry- or activity-specific standards also is needed. As a fundamental element of developing such a policy, relevant recommendations from various authoritative and advisory organizations should reflect PTD principles. The ultimate goal is to include these principles in all design standards that affect workers. As NIOSH (2010a) notes, no singular policy related to PTD has yet been developed. Rather, various organizations and institutions across multiple industries have taken explicit or implicit positions with respect to designers’ role in occupational safety and health. These positions and related policies are reviewed, and recommendations for policy development are provided.

Research: The Power of Collaboration

Abstract: Examples of the prevention through design (PTD) concept exist in practice in all industrial sectors, including the construction, manufacturing, healthcare and service industries. Process and design solutions have been developed and implemented to reduce or eliminate risks to occupational safety and health (OSH). Awareness is building that engaging with designers as part of OSH management is an effective practice for reducing injuries, illnesses and fatalities (Manuele, 1997). Effective diffusion and implementation of the PTD concept call for detailed understanding of the principles and practices of both design and OSH. PTD also requires that architects, engineers and designers know the processes, jobs and work conditions associated with their designs and that they understand the associated risks. Engaging those who construct, manufacture, use and maintain their designs also is important. PTD is genuinely a collaborative process that encompasses multiple areas of expertise and stakeholders. While PTD is a recognized and established practice attribute in some industrial sectors, the complexities and barriers associated with its implementation have inhibited its diffusion in other sectors. A lack of OSH knowledge among design professionals, fear of liability for injuries, a lack of available design tools, insufficient funding and time for design, and lack of methods to engage workers and OSH professionals in the design limit PTD implementation (Brown-Williams, Lichterman, Quinn, et al., 2010; Gambatese, Behm & Hinze, 2005; Hecker, Gambatese & Weinstein, 2005; Quinn, Fuller, Bello, et al., 2006; Quinn, Pentecost, Fisher, et al., 2009; Toole, 2002, 2004). These barriers are not insurmountable (Gambatese, et al., 2005), as is evident from the many instances of PTD in practice. In addition, when PTD design solutions are implemented, it is believed that the benefits are positive, not only for OSH but also for work quality, productivity and cost (Gambatese, Hinze & Haas, 1997). Enhancing the adoption of PTD throughout all industrial sectors requires further research to understand the concept in practice and to develop tools and resources that facilitate its implementation, impact evaluation and diffusion. This article describes PTD research needs, presents examples of current research and identifies areas for future research. Research in this area necessitates working outside the research lab to engage and understand work practice in design, construction/manufacture, use and maintenance. This need is consistent with NIOSH's Research-to-Practice (R2P) initiative that involves an iterative process in which the OSH community, including researchers, communicators, decision makers and employer/employee groups work collaboratively to (NIOSH, 2012a): identify research needs; design, plan and conduct studies; translate and disseminate NIOSH-generated knowledge, interventions and technologies to relevant users for implementation in the workplace; evaluate results to determine the impact on occupational safety and health; recycle the results of practical implementation back into the research phase to identify subsequent research needs. This cycle permits continuous improvement and optimization of any process or product used in practice. By mapping the R2P process to PTD, specifically with regard to PTD research, it can be seen that research is needed in all phases. That is, research is needed to: 1) determine the connection between design practices and OSH risks, and identify hazardous designs (surveillance); 2) develop PTD solutions to those designs; 3) understand how to effectively translate and implement the solutions in practice; and 4) evaluate the effects of implementation, and monitor and modify the solutions accordingly. The next sections of this article describe current research in each area and suggest needs and avenues for further research. These examples are taken from presentations at NIOSH's 2011 conference, Prevention Through Design: A New Way of Doing Business: Report on the National Initiative (NIOSH, 2012b). Table 1 lists the conference presentations that relate to research (ASSE, 2012). Table 1 NIOSH PTD Conference Presentations Related to Research

The Power of Collaboration

Abstract: Examples of the prevention through design (PTD) concept exist in practice in all industrial sectors, including the construction, manufacturing, healthcare and service industries Process and design solutions have been developed and implemented to reduce or eliminate risks to occupational safety and health (OSH) Awareness is building that engaging with designers as part of OSH management is an effective practice for reducing injuries, illnesses and fatalities (Manuele, 1997) Effective diffusion and implementation of the PTD concept call for detailed understanding of the principles and practices of both design and OSH PTD also requires that architects, engineers and designers know the processes, jobs and work conditions associated with their designs and that they understand the associated risks Engaging those who construct, manufacture, use and maintain their designs also is important PTD is genuinely a collaborative process that encompasses multiple areas of expertise and

A Key Factor in Promoting PTD

Abstract: In August 2011, NIOSH hosted “Prevention Through Design: A New Way of Doing Business,” a conference attended by 175 stakeholders that focused on applying prevention through design (PTD) principles within multiple industry sectors. Conference tracks focused on education, research, practice and policy. All presentations are available on ASSE’s website (www .asse.org/professionalaffairs_new/ ptd.php). Although no presentations specifically addressed policy, this article provides an opportunity to identify policies that relate to PTD and influence its advancement and diffusion throughout multiple industries. The term policy is vague and has many meanings. A common thread across definitions is that policies dictate a proposed course of action and are typically set by organizations or institutions, rather than by individuals. Safety professionals can help their organizations establish and enforce safety-related policies, many of which may be borrowed from or reference policies established by national trade associations or consensus standards on this topic. Policies and standards together effect change in safety culture. This article summarizes PTD-related policies associated with federal agencies and national organizations. Many SH&E professionals and researchers regard this concept as a highly promising means for reducing occupational hazards by engineering out hazards faced by users, manufacturers, constructors and maintenance workers. SH&E professionals and design engineers have different roles in PTD. Typically, safety professionals develop, enforce and monitor IN BRIEF •Diffusion of major innovations in organizational contexts, such as prevention through design (PTD), often requires a multifaceted implementation strategy. •A policy statement that reflects a commitment to protecting worker safety and health is an effective means to communicate support for PTD initiatives. •This article summarizes PTDrelated policies and consensus standards. •Safety professionals can use this information to support their efforts to adopt PTD within their organizations.