Leveraging YouTube to aid Construction Hazard Prevention through Design (CHPtD)

Abstract

Construction Hazard Prevention through Design (CHPtD) is widely recognized as a key approach for preventing injuries in construction workplaces. It prioritizes the safety of construction workers by explicitly tackling potential hazards during the design development phase. This involves proactively incorporating design features aimed at minimizing the risk of workplace injuries. Despite the theoretical promise of CHPtD, practical implementation has faced significant challenges. Notably, prior research has emphasized issues such as designers’ unfamiliarity with construction means and methods, along with their inability to anticipate safety hazards that may arise in the field due to their design choices. In response, proponents of CHPtD have advocated for educational interventions aimed at equipping designers with the essential skills needed for effective implementation of CHPtD. This investigation assessed the effectiveness of YouTube as an educational resource for enhancing hazard recognition in simulated CHPtD review sessions among civil engineering students. YouTube was expected to aid hazard recognition due to its extensive collection of videos featuring various construction operations and related safety hazards. The study utilized a randomized controlled experiment to evaluate treatment effects. The results indicate that YouTube can serve as a valuable tool in supporting CHPtD efforts. Furthermore, the benefits derived from using YouTube were more pronounced when examining specific building elements (e.g. interior upper-level drywall) compared to other elements.