Knowledge Management Strategies Employed during the Safety Risk Assessment Process in Construction Organizations

Safety risk assessment (RA) is a critical component of any construction project, requiring extensive knowledge to identify hazards and implement control measures during the preconstruction phase. However, research suggests insufficient safety knowledge during RA can contribute to accidents. This study aimed to understand the safety knowledge management (KM) trends in Indian construction companies, focusing on falls, a significant cause of accidents in the sector. Eight in-depth interviews were conducted with safety experts to gain insights into acquiring, storing, and disseminating safety knowledge for fall RA in construction organizations. The study found that construction companies lacked robust safety KM systems, particularly in effectively managing tacit knowledge. Given the highly individualistic nature of construction, where much of the knowledge resides within experienced workers, effectively capturing and sharing this tacit knowledge is crucial for improving safety. Based on these findings, the study recommends that Indian contracting organizations develop and implement a comprehensive KM strategy to effectively manage safety knowledge, enhance fall RA processes, and improve safety performance.