The construction industry is a dynamic work environment that requires the use of heavy equipment and carries some inherent risks which may lead to tragic deaths. The construction of bridges, tunnels, oil rigs, roads across harsh landscapes contribute to an unacceptably high injury and illness rate among the workers and this has become one of the major concerns for the industry.
BIM based software models act as a significant asset for designers and construction professionals for site layout and safety planning. BIM assists to create plans in sequential order alongside a 4D model. Having a 4D model helps visualize the job site and work through various areas and events. This shows the possible risk areas and the weak points with higher accuracy.
BIM and Improving Site Safety at Hazardous Locations
The most effective form of safety program elements occurs at the planning and pre-construction phases of a project. BIM plays a vital role in worker security training, safety planning, job hazard analysis, mishap investigation, and facility and maintenance stage safety.
Site Safety Planning
BIM technology based new tools, communication possibilities, and strategies addressing site security aspects can help construction companies’ advance to a higher-quality of site safety planning.
Deliver Accurate Insights of the Site
BIM is used in visualization, scope explanation, logistics planning, coordination, collision identification and avoidance, structure approval, construction planning, analysis, virtual mock-ups and what-if scenario visualizations. This information can be tightly integrated with relevant information about the hazards of the location to deliver insights and predictions about what could go wrong.
Validate Safety Arrangements
With the help BIM, we can find out the location of safety equipment, areas of storage of potentially hazardous materials and temporary obstructions created during the ongoing construction. This allows safety managers and supervisors to check and validate safety arrangements across the site in different conditions.
Advanced Sequencing and Dimensional Analysis
BIM provides the ability to perform advanced sequencing and dimensional analysis to track and oversee site logistics and layout. This can be used further to identify potential patterns, problems, and hazards around the site. This will pave the way to come up with alternate solutions to minimize risk on site.
Better Integration of Design Processes
The designers who use BIM can create and demonstrate design, and facilitate better coordination and collaboration between teams on-location. BIM models help to reduce the clashes and need for rework by highlighting the parts of structures that are wrongly in contact.
Since BIM services are used to define the virtual development of a facility before its actual construction, one can conduct risk-free pre-analysis that allows construction companies to reduce vulnerability, improve safety, and simulate and analyze the potential effects of all actions which further helps in improving safety across construction sites located in hazardous locations.