BIM and Safety Integration for Steel Erection using Intermeshed Steel Connections

The construction industry faces persistent challenges in the aspect of worker safety and health, particularly with the frequently occurring injuries, illnesses, and fatalities caused by falls, struck-by, and ergonomic hazards, among others. The use of steel as a construction material has increased the scale and complexity of projects by introducing more intricate design, production, fabrication, and especially the erection processes which impact the safety and health performance of steelworkers. Studies have shown that steel connection systems, specifically innovative systems such as the intermeshed steel connection (ISC) can play critical roles in moderating the types of hazards steelworkers are exposed to. Using a 2-storey steel frame structure, the study assessed the integration of a safety checklist into Building Information Modeling (BIM) for improved safety planning for an innovative intermeshed steel connection system. The study developed a robust safety library compliant with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation incorporated into the BIM environment. The case study research developed a four-step framework which includes BIM model creation, safety checklist development, checklist integration in the BIM model, as well as safety simulation and analysis. The study also adopted a methodology that utilized the BIM virtual environment to classify and simulate hazard scenarios linking specific corrective actions with OSHA references to prevent accidents and injuries in steel erection works. The findings of the study indicated that the BIM-enabled checklist could provide workers, safety managers, and other stakeholders with information on effective safety measures to be taken in steel erection operations with intermeshed steel connections prior to construction to avoid injuries, illnesses, or fatalities.