Prevention Through Design Approach For Geotechnical Design Hazard Risk Reduction

Malaysian construction workers confront high accident rates and sustainability issues due to geotechnical risks. This study determines the significance of geotechnical hazards arising during conceptual design of construction projects and proposes Prevention through Design (PtD) strategies to mitigate the hazards. The mixed-method research uses a questionnaire survey for geotechnical hazards and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) for PtD solutions. The hazards are categorized into seven design aspects namely G1(Soil or ground Instability), G2(Presence of water table/ ground water level), G3(Sloppy area), G4(Soil classification), G5(Flood-prone area and proximity of area to water bodies), G6(Landfill Area) and G7(Area prone to earthquake). Ultimately, adopting PtD can significantly reduce geotechnical hazards, improve safety, and enhance project performance, fostering a safer and more resilient construction industry in Malaysia. The research findings aim to assist Malaysia's Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) in advancing the integration of PtD principles, as emphasized in the OSHCI(M) Guideline.