Web-based Safety Knowledge Management System for Builders: A Conceptual Framework

Abstract

Despite there are more than 144 laws, 200 standards and numerous codes of practice that cover occupational health and safety (OHS) in the construction industry throughout Australia, workplace fatalities were 9.2 per 100,000 workers, compared with the national average of 3.1 fatalities per 100,000 workers. Moreover, the industry accounted for 9% of the workers’ compensation claims when it employed only 5% of the Australian workforce. OHS appears to be difficult to manage as the construction activities, workforce and the site management team on a given site change frequently. This dynamic nature of construction entails constant safety inductions for workers and site staff, and the cultivation of safety climate on sites. Safety knowledge management has therefore become a key component for a sustained business development for builders as well as for safeguarding the interests of construction workers. The integration of safety knowledge management and information technology can provide an innovative means for improving safety in the Australian construction industry. This paper discusses the conceptual framework of a web-based safety knowledge management system that can be used by builders to improve their safety performance and thereby productivity. The implementation of the proposed system in the construction industry will help reduce workplace accidents and the social costs that stem from them.