Innovative safety education method for architectural faculties to promote a culture of prevention in line with a “Vision Zero approach”

Abstract

Occupational safety and health (OHS) education in universities has an important role in developing and improving safety cultures in the workplace. Safety education is essential for improving necessary OSH skills, culture and knowledge, so do architects, urban planners, interior architects whose duties are regarded as the design, planning and execution of construction projects in high-risk sectors. As a consequence, there has been increasing recognition that safety education courses in the architecture faculties should have participative learning methods and resources. In order to increase preparedness for any potential future health crises parallel to the “Vision Zero” approach in work-related deaths, a new EU Strategic Framework was announced by the European Commission. The course described and proposed here aimed to raise awareness about OHS by teaching risks related to working environments, basic issues, basic legislation within the scope of OHS. It also aimed to cover professional liability with respect to OHS, and risks and hazards in the construction sector, as well as helping participants to analyze and evaluate the risks in workplace. This article’s primary objective is to identify an innovative safety education model of the “occupational health and safety course” with a “Vision Zero” approach.