Communication of Construction Health and Safety Information in Design

Abstract

Although all parties involved in the construction industry may address their respective responsibilities, the lack of integration between each organization often results in communication problems which jeopardize health and safety (H&S). Of particular note is the communication during the design phase. All information pertaining to the project must be readily accessible for all parties, to ensure smooth and hitch-free project execution. This paper presents the challenges in the communication of H&S information in the design phase of construction projects derived from semi structured and focus group interviews with 53 construction practitioners in the UK. It characterizes the various aspects of collaborative communications at this stage and highlights the problem area.

Keywords: Construction H&S, Communication in Construction, Communication of H&S, Design Phase and Construction Management