Automation in Construction 113 (2020) 103115

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Automation in Construction
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/autcon

BIM-integrated management of occupational hazards in building T

construction and maintenance
Juan Pedro Cortés-Péreza, , Alfonso Cortés-Pérezb, Paloma Prieto-Muriela
⁎

a
Department of Construction, School of Technology, University of Extremadura, Avda. de la Universidad s/n, Cáceres, Spain
b
Department of Education, Area of Knowledge in Electronic Technology, University Isabel I, Spain

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

Keywords: Health and safety in the construction sector are very important issues owing to the high accident rate in the
Building information modelling industry. Recent studies have shown that implementing the building information modelling (BIM) methodology
Health and safety can improve the working conditions at construction sites and during building maintenance. Therefore, the
Occupational risk assessment European Union is promoting the development of projects through BIM. The government of Spain has estab-
lished a roadmap to enforce the development of projects with BIM, and the integration of occupational health
and safety in projects developed with BIM in Spain must comply with the current regulations. This study pro-
poses a methodology—consistent with the requirements stipulated by the Spanish health and safety reg-
ulations—for its integration in the design phase of building projects developed using BIM.

1. Introduction and literature review 1.2. Health and safety digitalisation

1.1. Accidents and their causes in the construction sector
The rate of work accidents in the construction sector worldwide is
among the highest in relation to other industries [1], with approxi-
mately five deaths occurring each working day [2]. Therefore, job
safety is vital in the construction industry. However, despite regulatory,
governmental, business, and professional effort, there has been no
significant reduction in injuries, illnesses, and deaths occurring at work
in the industry [3,4].
This problem is being extensively analysed by international orga-
nisations, such as the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and the
International Labor Organisation (OIT - acronym in English) [5,6], and
has been the focus of extensive research [7–11]. Therefore, the OIT has
been prompted to qualify occupational safety as a major global problem
[6].
A significant number of studies [2,9,12–14] have demonstrated that
one of the main causes of occupational accidents is the lack of in-
tegration of occupational health and safety during the design phase.
There are several reasons for this, including the lack of adequate tools,
training, and leadership by designers, as indicated by Hallowell et al.
and Hongling et al. [15,16].
Digital technologies have been entering the construction industry
for several decades. However, their application in occupational health
and safety (H&S) has been lower than that in other construction fields
[17]. According to Guo et al. [18], three-dimensional (3D) digital ap-
plications, such as gaming technologies or virtual reality, have gradu-
ally been introduced [15,19–22], and construction information mod-
elling (BIM) is one such technology that is being increasingly used in
construction projects [23-25].
BIM reinforces the benefits of other digital techniques as it adds a
large amount of parametric information and allows collaborative work
between the technicians involved in the project [26–28]. These ad-
vantages are also manifested in visualisation and analysis [29–31],
which aids in detecting and controlling occupational hazards and,
therefore, their prevention according to Malekitabar et al. [32] and
Martínez-Aires et al. [33] when conducting realistic simulation [34].
The integration of H&S into BIM has been partially addressed in
previous studies. For example, Getuli et al. [30] focused their research
on the information of BIM prevention measure objects, and their re-
lationship with other elements and the legal requirements they must
meet, but they did not explore methods of conducting such analysis or
risk assessment. Sulankivi and Kahkonen [35] followed a general ap-
proach without exploring approaches to such evaluation within the

⁎
Corresponding author.
E-mail address: jpcortes@unex.es (J.P. Cortés-Pérez).
URL: https://www.ui1.es (A. Cortés-Pérez).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2020.103115
Received 19 June 2019; Received in revised form 21 January 2020; Accepted 1 February 2020
Available online 13 February 2020
0926-5805/ © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
J.P. Cortés-Pérez, et al.
Fig. 1. Framework of the HSBIM methodology.
methodology. Azhar and Salman [4] studied the development of a four-
dimensional (4D) safety plan within BIM without establishing the re-
quirements for assessing the occupational hazards that will arise during
construction. Kim et al. [36] focused their study on scaffolding and its
associated risks, and explored the automation of evaluating scaffolding,
but did not analyse the integration of the remaining risks. Ganah and
John [34] analysed the application of safety rules and their planning,
but did not specify these rules in their evaluation methodology. Shen
and Marks [37] took a further step in this direction and proposed the
manual introduction of the risks associated with an element by as-
signing them a colour code based on their severity, but did not complete
the analysis and reassessment process.
According to Esteban [38], H&S is typically planned independently
of the planning of work in Spain, and Behm [9] and Frijters et al. [12]
have researched the consequent problems for the management of oc-
cupational risk prevention. According to Martínez-Aires et al. [33], the
BIM methodology allows the simulation of construction, associating the
planning of work with the 3D model, and obtaining a 4D model.
1.3. H&S in BIM regulations and guidelines
Internationally, countries with greater development in BIM, such as
Australia, Canada, the US, and Singapore [39,40], do not have specific
regulations for the integration of H&S in BIM (HSBIM). For example,
the regulations of Australia [41], Canada [42], or the international ISO
standard [43] do not mention the H&S regulations of the US [44]; they
only refer to the classification of safety elements.
In New York, advancements have been made in the regulation of
HSBIM [45], as its regulations affect the planning and management of
the 4D phases. However, these advancements did not include methods
of developing the previous risk analysis. Therefore, there is still a need
to align traditional methods with BIM to manage risks, as indicated by
Zou et al. [46] and Alomari et al. [47].
In Europe, the countries with the greatest experience in the appli-
cation of BIM are Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark [39,40], and
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Automation in Construction 113 (2020) 103115
uBIM guides regulate the use of BIM in these countries [48]. However,
these guides do not address the integration of occupational hazards into
BIM, and only include specific references [49]. The United Kingdom is
the only European country with BIM technology regulation that defines
the requirements to integrate occupational health and safety in the BIM
methodology [50]; these regulations address the requirements and
conceptual framework of work in the Common Data Environment
(CDE) without defining the method for incorporating health and safety
information into the BIM.
1.4. Legal H&S and BIM regulations in Spain
The Spanish and British H&S regulations were developed from a
European standard [51], but they have different characteristics. In
Spain, two health and safety documents are required (one in the pre-
construction project and another during the project construction stage).
However, in the United Kingdom, only one document is used in both
stages [52].
The Spanish regulations [53] require everyone involved in the
construction projects to complete a Health and Safety Survey with very
specific contents. These requirements originate from the regulations set
prior to the approval of the directive [54]. Therefore, they not only
differ from British regulations, they also differ from those of any EU
country. Furthermore, regulations aimed at the mandatory use of BIM
methodology in building projects are being developed in Spain [55],
which indicates the transposition of the European directive on public
procurement [56] and the law [57]. However, there are no government
regulations or technical documents in Spain that define the require-
ments for HSBIM integration and complying with the requirements of
health and safety regulations [53,58].
The lack of a methodology defining the H&S information that must
be introduced into BIM for buildings in Spain, its traceability, and its
management, could lead to problems and difficulties in coordination
between design technicians. This could then cause an increase in oc-
cupational accidents.
J.P. Cortés-Pérez, et al. Automation in Construction 113 (2020) 103115

Therefore, this research aims to develop a methodology for in- Table 1

tegrating H&S risk management into the design phase of buildings de- Codification of risks for the BIM.
veloped with BIM technology in Spain, and the results could inform the Number Name
application of BIM to H&S. This work complies with the Spanish H&S
regulations [53,58]. 1 People falling to another level
2 People falling on the same level
3 Object falling owing to collapse
2. Methodology 4 Falling objects during manipulation
5 Falls by detached objects
6 Footprints on objects
The research commenced with an analysis of the legal H&S reg-
7 Shocks against stationary objects
ulations for the prevention of occupational hazards in Spain (3.1), 8 Shocks against moving objects
which establishes the basis for the integration of health and safety in a 9 Impacts by objects or tools
BIM. The H&S technician begins with a BIM of the architecture, struc- 10 Projection of fragments or particles
ture, and facilities (3.2). The tasks and information obtained prior to 11 Entrapment by or between objects
12 Entrapment by overturning of machines, tractors, or vehicles.
the risk assessment are as follows (3.3): structure of the project navi- Overexertion
gator, risk parameters, BIM H&S objects, and work plan. From this, the 13 Exposure to extreme environmental temperatures
approach for introducing the risk assessment process and its manage- 14 Thermal contact
ment in the BIM platform into the model is developed (Fig. 1). 15 Exposure to electrical contacts
16 Exposure to harmful substances
17 Contact with caustic and/or corrosive substances
2.1. Regulatory requirements to be fulfilled in the integration of health and 18 Exposure to radiation
safety in the BIM methodology 19 Explosions
20 Fires
21 Accidents classified by living beings
The consideration of H&S in the design of a construction site is a 22 Misuses or impacts with vehicles
legal requirement throughout the European Union [59], which was 23 Traffic accidents
developed by [53,58] in Spain. 24 Natural causes
25 Others
In Spain, a Health and Safety Study or Basic Study must be com-
26 Chemical agents
pleted for all projects, depending on the project characteristics [53]. For 27 Physical agents
a project developed with BIM to comply with these, the following in- 28 Biological agents
formation must be obtained: 29 Physical load
30 Ergonomic conditions

• Description of the procedures, equipment, and auxiliary means to be 31

32
Psychosocial factors
People falling to another level
used in the work; the identification of avoidable risks indicating the
necessary measures, occupational hazards that cannot be elimi-
nated, and specifying preventive measures and technical protections includes common facades, partitions, floors, and roofs (Fig. 2).
to control and reduce them.
• Specification of conditions with the applicable legal norms and the
2.2. Tasks prior to risk assessment
requirements that machines, tools, tools, systems, and preventive
equipment must meet.
• Plans with graphics and diagrams for the definition and under-
2.2.1. Project browser organisation
BIMs are organised by discipline, such as architecture, structure,
standing of the preventive measures defined in the report, and the
and facilities. A specific H&S subdiscipline is proposed to introduce and
necessary technical specifications.
• Measurement of all H&S units.
manage the graphic and non-graphic information in the H&S model. For

• Budget that quantifies the cost of conducting the health and safety
this, the “H&S” parameter was created and associated with all views of
the model involved with H&S. These will be generated by the Health
study.
and Safety Coordinator (H&SCD) during the design phase.
1.1. Studied BIM
A project navigator was configured using a filter based on the “H&S
parameter” to allow an orderly visualisation of the information re-
BIM can be applied using different modelling, management, and
garding the views of the model, which allows this information to be
planning software. Revit de Autodesk was used to implement H&S in
visible in the plans and views.
the BIM in this study, which has been used in previous studies [37,60].
This research was conducted based on a building with three storeys
above ground level and a basement, the architecture, structure, and 2.2.2. Generation of risk identification parameters
facilities of which have been modelled. The architectural design H&S information can be integrated into BIM based on risks.

Fig. 2. Architectural model, facilities, and structure.

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J.P. Cortés-Pérez, et al.
Table 2
Quantitative matrix of risk assessment in the BIM. The evaluated risk rating is in brackets.
Table 3
Actions to be taken according to the risk rating and colour code adopted in the evaluation.
Different risk assessment methodologies have been developed at an
international level that guarantee systematic analysis. The risk identi-
fication criteria of the National Institute of Occupational Health and
Safety (INSST) are used in this study [62], which is the Spanish tech-
nical scientific body that specialises in the analysis and study of occu-
pational health and safety conditions, and are widely understood by the
H&SCD responsible for the development of Health and Safety Studies in
Spain.
The INSST methodology defined 32 occupational hazards (Table 1)
to be used to assess the risks of the project in the BIM of the building.
Thirty-two parameters were defined for the identification of risks in
the project, coded from 1 to 32 for each risk. These parameters are of
the “yes/no” type and are associated with each constructive element of
the model. Therefore, each specific risk generated by the execution of
said element can be activated.
2.2.3. BIM object development
BIMs are based on the application of BIM objects specific to the
modelled discipline [63]. There are fully developed BIM objects for
architecture, structures, and facilities that contain all of the required
constructive information.
To allow them to be entered into the BIM, the collective protection
information must be carried out using BIM objects with the technical
characteristics established by the H&S standards. These BIM objects are
not fully developed, and many objects do not contain the geometric
information established by the regulations. To resolve this issue in this
study, some objects were defined according to their norm, such as
safety nets [64], to indicate that the proposed methodology complies
with Article 5 of the regulations [53], which states that Health and
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Automation in Construction 113 (2020) 103115
Safety Studies must contain detailed preventive measures with graphic
information and images.
2.2.4. Site planning
H&S is associated with the planning of work to be conducted during
the design phase. For the development of this study, a plan to represent
those provided by the design team to the H&SCD for the analysis and
management of risks during the design phase was constructed. From
this planning, execution phases were introduced to the model to allow
each preventive measure to be associated with the corresponding ex-
ecution phase.
2.3. H&S risk assessment and information management in the BIM
2.3.1. Risk assessment in the BIM
To integrate the risk assessment according to the INSST metho-
dology into the BIM, a risk parameter (NRi) was created in each BIM
object of the model with a value of 1 to 32, according to [62].
The NRi is the product of the probability and severity of the risk
(Table 2). To obtain the NRis, a probability parameter (Pi) and a se-
verity parameter (Gi) associated with the BIM objects of the model were
also created for each risk, with a value of 1 to 32.
During the evaluation phase, the H&SCD will identify the risks as-
sociated with the construction of each element, marking the yes/no
parameter in the existing risks. Each identified risk will be assessed by
assigning the following numerical values to the Pi and Gi: Pi takes a
value of 1, 2, or 3 for low, medium, or high probability, respectively,
and Gi takes a value of 1, 2, or 3 for slightly harmful, harmful, or ex-
tremely harmful, respectively.
J.P. Cortés-Pérez, et al.
Fig. 3. Organisation of the BIM incorporating the H&S into each phase.
Therefore, the risk level was calculated as: NRi = Pi×Gi.
Additionally, a quantitative matrix was proposed for the qualification of
the risk (Table 2), along with a colour code associated with the nu-
merical value. Based on the risk rating, preventive actions could then be
adopted (Table 3). Colour classification facilitates visual risk manage-
ment and preventive actions.
Within the Revit platform, Pi cannot be multiplied by Gi to obtain
the NRi; thus, we generated a Dynamo script. This visual programming
tool allows actions to be programmed on Revit by accessing the ap-
plication programming interface. The programming is completed using
nodes (applications implemented in the tool) as follows: data collection
from Revit or results from another node, followed by the action of the
node, and then the output of the results to another node or to Revit.
This allows the NRi of all risks of each element and all the elements of
the model to be obtained automatically.
Risks with a rating higher than “tolerable” should be eliminated or
reduced until the “tolerable” rating is reached. The H&SCD defines the
methods and preventive measures for this. Following this step, the
standard [53] requires the assessment of the effectiveness of the result,
which entails the reassessment of risk.
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Automation in Construction 113 (2020) 103115
To integrate the reassessment phase into the BIM and respond to
that established in the legal regulations, the reassessed probability
parameters (R_Pi) and reassessed severity (R_Gi) in each element of the
model and for each of the 32 risks were generated. The reassessed risk
level (R_NRi = R_Pi × R_Gi) was obtained automatically by another
script which was developed with Dynamo and was similar in structure
to that described above.
2.3.2. Visual management for risk assessment
For H&S, the elements of the model for the correct management of
risks are represented in two and three dimensions. For this, filters with
the colour codes set out in Table 2 are proposed based on the value of
the risk level parameter (NR). Using this colour code, the H&SCD can
determine the severity and the probability of a risk when the filter is
applied to a construction element. The BIM object then takes the cor-
responding colour according to its NR. Therefore, the elements or areas
that should receive preventive measures or means (assessment higher
than “tolerable”) can be immediately visually determined from Table 3.
Owing to the parametric design of the model, planning tables con-
taining the information regarding parameters P, G, and NR are pro-
posed for prevention management.
Based on this evaluation and visual management, collective pro-
tections can be applied to the elements or areas where the risks exceed
the “tolerable” level by introducing H&S-specific BIM objects to the
model.
The preventive measures (such as work procedures, standards, or
instructions, prescriptions) to be implemented and personal protective
equipment were introduced to the model by creating URL-type para-
meters associated with BIM objects. These parameters allow the H&SCD
to associate the required information with an external file stored in the
cloud or the databases of the state agencies that regulate them, which
can then be listed using planning tables to collect NR of the evaluation
and the information of the preventive measures, equipment, etc.
To reassess the level of risk following the application of protections,
preventive measures, and personal protective equipment, specific views
in two and three dimensions for the visualisation of reassessed risks
should be created to ensure that the traceability of the risk assessment is
not lost. For this purpose, colour filters and the corresponding coding
are created to be applied to the R_NRi parameters (Table 3). Therefore,
the legal requirements can be met [53].
The generation of the plans, specifications sheet, measurements,
and budget necessary for the Health and Safety Study [53] were ob-
tained from the parametric information entered in the risk assessment
phase. For proper management and traceability, the area of the project
navigator related to the planning tables and plans and the views should
be organised according to the generated H&S subdiscipline.
3. Results
3.1. Tasks prior to risk assessment
Prior to modelling, the specific execution phases for the H&S with
which the protection measures should be associated were defined. From
these phases, it has been organised according to the construction phases
adopted in the design with the specific views of the H&S subdiscipline
in each construction phase. This subdiscipline includes the corre-
sponding plan, elevation, section, and 3D views of H&S (Fig. 3).
The 32 risk parameters were generated previously (Fig. 4a), and the
risks generated by its execution were assigned to each constructive
element by activating them for the facade wall. The existing risks are
those shown in Fig. 4b.
One of the previous steps was the creation of protection measures to
incorporate into the model.
Fig. 5 shows the objects created, which are necessary for the man-
agement of the visualisation and generation of the plans for the pro-
tection measures and their measurement.
J.P. Cortés-Pérez, et al. Automation in Construction 113 (2020) 103115

Fig. 4. a) Generation of probability and severity parameters for the 32 risks. b) Assignment of the risks of the selected element.

a b c

d e

Fig. 5. H&S families created: a) vertical fall protection network, b) guardrail, c) excavation beacon mesh, d) armour protection, and e) hygiene facilities.

3.2. Risk assessment and management
The risk assessment was conducted during the project using the
views and planning tables. In this phase, the H&SCD will assign the
probability and severity values for each identified risk. An example of
the application of the probability and severity values for the risks as-
sociated with ground and first-floor pillars is shown in Figs. 6 a) and b)
(“01 People falling between different levels" and “02 People falling on
the same level”. Using the Dynamo script (Fig. 7), these risks were
evaluated to have a risk level (NR) of 2 for the ground-floor pillar.
Therefore, both risks (NR01 and NR02) were classified as tolerable
[62]. However, for the first-floor pillar, the risk levels of NR01 and
NR02 were 6, indicating an important risk [62].
Fig. 8a presents a 3D view of the structure with risk assessment 01.
To generate this view for the management of the H&S model, the colour
filters created according to the proposed code for each risk rating
(Table 2) were applied, which allows a visual review of the levels of risk
for each element, as well as its components (probability and severity),
and the detection of errors. For example, in Fig. 8a, columns are present
on the edge of the floor with a different level of risk, when the risk
should be a priori. After reviewing the risk assessment conducted for the
edge columns, the effectiveness of the corrections can be checked in a
3D view of NR01 (Fig. 8b).
Protective measures must be applied to the elements for which the H
&SCD detects a higher level of risk than tolerable (NR > 2; Table 3) to
reduce the risk to a level lower than 2. As an example of the application
of this methodology, for risk 01, specifically developed H&S BIM ob-
jects, such as protection rails to be added to the edge of the slab and
vertical networks for fall prevention, were placed in the model
(Fig. 9a). After reassessing this risk, the value of R_NR was 2, indicating
that the risk level was then tolerable (Fig. 9b).
Fig. 10a shows the risk assessment phase during which the H&SCD
incorporates the preventive measures document hosted in the cloud
into the model (Fig. 10b). The safety measures are entered into tables
using the URL parameter for filtering information. Similarly, the H&
SCD entered the information regarding the personal protection equip-
ment. Fig. 10a shows the IPE URL parameter linked to documents de-
veloped by the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety
available on the internet (Fig. 10b), with the model accessing the latest
version of the document.

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J.P. Cortés-Pérez, et al. Automation in Construction 113 (2020) 103115

a b
Fig. 6. Risk assessment of a) a ground floor column and b) first-floor column (highlighted in blue). (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend,
the reader is referred to the web version of this article.)

Fig. 7. Dynamo code for the generation of the NR variable of all risks for the StructuralColumns category.

3.3. Extracting information from the BIM for the Health and Safety Study
The integration of H&S by the H&SCD in the BIM allows the gen-
eration of the H&S planes in the model itself by linking the plan, ele-
vation, and 3D views with the risk colour filters of the parameters to
visualise the NR by elements, zones, and so on Fig. 11). The tables were
also linked to the tables containing the identified risks and their eva-
luation, prevention measures, and their measurement (Fig. 11).
The parameters of collective and individual protection measures
were obtained from the planning tables of the model were exported to
Excel and loaded into a budget tool.
4. Discussion
These results demonstrate that integrating H&S for a BIM con-
struction project progressed from the findings of previous studies, such
as that of Melzner et al. [65], where only a conceptual framework was
developed, Shen and Marks [37], who proposed a colour visualisation
tool for risks, but did not use it in their assessment, or Melzner [66],
who proposed risk assessment during the generation of H&S BIM ob-
jects, but did not resolve the remaining process information, including
the identification, evaluation, re-evaluation, and application of pro-
tection and preventive measures within BIM objects.
Additionally, Fig. 9 shows that 3D visualisation through colour fil-
ters can facilitate the identification of risks and perform a more realistic
simulation of such risks, as proposed by Ganah and John [34]. Fur-
thermore, this proposal allows the reduction of working time from that
of traditional methodology, as indicated by Malekitabar et al. [32], as
the organisation of views and filters allows the quick detection and
correction of errors. Additionally, the use of visualisation filters and
application of the planning of the work (4D) developed by the designer
improves the inefficiencies detected by Zhang et al. [2].

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J.P. Cortés-Pérez, et al. Automation in Construction 113 (2020) 103115

a b

c
Fig. 8. Three-dimensional visualisation of the risk of fallingError! Reference source not found.. a) Incorrect evaluation of the ground floor columns, b) correct
evaluation after a review of the 3D model, and c) filters applied according to the risk rating and colour code in Table 2. (For interpretation of the references to colour
in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.)

Fig. 9. Three-dimensional views for risk assessment 01 “People falling between different levels” (left) and after re-evaluation (right) with the pillars marked in colour
based on the risk.

The proposal of the organisation of both graphic and non-graphic
information and its parameterisation (Figs. 6, 8 and 10) is an ad-
vancement in the direction proposed by Guo et al. [67] for the con-
struction phase in which the builder receives a structured model by
facilitating the management of real-time modifications through vir-
tually identifying the scenario that requires action. The new risks that
arise have a pre-established framework for management. Additionally,
as seen in Fig. 10, when entering the information as consultable para-
meters, collaborative work in the cloud is possible, and the absence of
such information in the design phase is one of the main causes of ac-
cidents [9,12,14].
The generation of the proposed views (Fig. 3) with the sequencing
of the execution phases allows the creation of virtual scenarios for the
training of workers, which, according to Hallowell et al. [15] and
Hongling et al. [16], is one of the causes of accidents during work.
According to Kassem et al. [41] and Enshassi et al. [68], one of the
difficulties faced in the application of BIM methodology is the training
of technicians. However, the ease of applying the methodology pro-
posed here will aid in resolving this, and would be further improved by
technicians with an understanding risk assessment methodology [62].
The standard [50] includes general guidelines for the integration of
H&S in BIM methodology based on the sharing of information through
the Common Data Environment (CDE). In this study, progress was made
in this direction, as we proposed approaches for introducing the BIM

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J.P. Cortés-Pérez, et al. Automation in Construction 113 (2020) 103115

a)

b)
Fig. 10. a) Definition of the preventive measures and individual protection through URL, and b) preventive measures and individual protection documents obtained
from the BIM.

itself (Figs. 6, 8, and 10), which is vital for reducing such problems, as and its effectiveness to be fulfilled, as another fundamental requirement
indicated by Martínez-Aires et al. [33]. Additionally, the collaborative of these laws is the automatic generation of the documentation in
work that was proposed through the platform suggests complete in- Health and Safety Studies (Fig. 11).
teroperability with other disciplines, which will allow the model to
reach maturity levels of 2 and 3, as suggested by Kassem [40].
5. Conclusions
Finally, Fig. 4, Fig. 8, and Fig. 9 show that the proposed process
facilitates the management of occupational hazards by identification,
The government of Spain will make it mandatory that the pre-
evaluation, and elimination or minimisation them and the determina-
sentation of building construction projects under its jurisdiction be
tion of means and preventive measures in compliance with regulations
conducted using the BIM methodology. This change in project devel-
[53,58]. Additionally, the results shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 indicate
opment methodology will affect all the technicians involved in the
that the established parameterisation allows the process to be traced
design phase, including H&S technicians. Additionally, H&S in Spain is

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J.P. Cortés-Pérez, et al.
Fig. 11. Plan generated in the BIM with Vitas: 3D, section, and plan views of the collective protections and tables containing their measurements and characteristics.
regulated by a series of regulations that establish mandatory com-
pliance requirements.
The BIM methodology is used in the design of buildings, such as
their architecture, structure, facilities, and budgets. However, it has not
yet been sufficiently implemented or regulated in H&S at the interna-
tional level. Currently, there is only one standard regulating the as-
sessment of H&S through the CDE, which does not explore its in-
troduction into the BIM.
The confluence of new work methodology, obligation to guarantee
the health and safety of workers, and the lack of regulations or docu-
ments that regulate the application of H&S in BIM in Spain could lead to
a lack of coordination between technicians during the design phase.
This situation would increase occupational accidents, as, the number of
fatal accidents in construction increases when there is a lack of co-
ordination during the design phase.
To resolve these problems, we developed a methodology for the
integration of the H&S risk assessment in building projects with BIM in
Spain. This methodology allows the requirements established by the
Spanish H&S regulations to be fulfilled at the level of the development
of mandatory documents, such as the traceability of risks and their
preventive measures throughout the process. This will facilitate the
integration of H&S into BIM methodology. Additionally, using a simple
and widely used risk assessment methodology in Spain will facilitate its
application, thereby resolving a difficulty faced in applying BIM
methodology in general.
Additionally, owing to the conceptual scheme created and stan-
dardisation used, the methodology and H&S in BIM can be extrapolated
to other countries, with necessary modifications made according to the
risk assessment methodology used and legal documents required for H&
10
Automation in Construction 113 (2020) 103115
S.
The proposal also allows collaborative work between technicians
involved in the design process, which can reduce interference and er-
rors occurring in this phase, and therefore, reduce the number of the
accidents originating in the design phase.
The integration of risk assessment into the model represents a
breakthrough in risk management over the UK regulations, where risk
management is conducted through the CDE. With this approach, col-
laborative work between the different disciplines involved in the design
phase could be conducted on the same model, which will allow projects
developed in Spain to reach BIM maturity levels of two or three.
The integration of the complete H&S information in BIM (not only
the risk information) requires the development of a complete catalogue
of BIM objects, including preventive measures, which should be para-
meterised according to the regulations that regulate them.
The proposed methodology possesses many of the benefits that
different researchers suggested would be achieved with the application
of BIM in H&S. For example, owing to the information management
structure proposed in the model through colour codes and filters, better
risk analysis management was achieved, facilitating the detection of
errors and correct application of measures that will decrease the
number of occupational accidents.
Another important benefit of the proposed methodology is the
consideration of risk reassessment. The final risk level after the appli-
cation of the measures can be determined, thus closing the Deming
cycle of continuous improvement and reducing losses.
J.P. Cortés-Pérez, et al.
Declaration of competing interest
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial
interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influ-
ence the work reported in this paper.
Acknowledgements
This work was facilitated by a research grant from the Spanish
Foundation PREVENT.
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