Effective control of high-energy hazards in the dynamic construction environment

Effective control of high-energy hazards in the dynamic construction environment

This project examines how high-energy hazards linked to serious injury and fatality outcomes can be more reliably controlled in dynamic construction environments, where worksite, work activities and workforce configurations are constantly changing.

Summary

The project involves interviews with construction industry experts and project decision-makers to explore how high-energy risk control systems may fail in practice, the conditions that lead to these failures, how they develop over time, and the early signals that indicate control degradation. The interviews will also explore conditions that are needed to enhance the reliability of risk controls. The research team will then engage with industry experts through industry workshops to co-develop practical solutions that make risk controls more reliable.

The findings will be used to develop an evidence-informed framework to support construction organisations in monitoring both the technical and social reliability of high-energy hazard controls, including exploring how technology can assist in detecting early signs of control failure and supporting timely intervention.
 

Project team

  • John Beattie (Transgrid, Project Lead)
  • Dr Payam Pirzadeh (RMIT, Academic Lead)
  • Distinguished Prof. Helen Lingard (RMIT, Chief Investigator)
  • Associate Prof. Rita Zhang (RMIT, Chief Investigator)
  • Dr Chenjunyan Sun, RMIT (RMIT, Research Fellow)
  • Joel Fraser (Laing O’Rourke)
  • Campbell Warren (Laing O’Rourke)
  • Katherine Crowton (Transgrid)
  • Cameron Stevens (Pocketknife Group)
  • Nicole Rogers (McConnell Dowell)
  • Brodie Cannata (McConnell Dowell)
  • Alysha Stokoe (WorkSafe ACT)
  • Paul Pereira (Hutchinson Builders)
  • Paul Williams (Simonds Homes)
     
aboriginal flag float-start torres strait flag float-start

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

Learn more about our commitment to Indigenous cultures