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Design for safety in the construction industry: a study of architecture and engineering firms in Saudi Arabia

Mohammad A. Hassanain (Architectural Engineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia and Interdisciplinary Research Center for Smart Mobility and Logistics, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia)
Mohammed Al-Harogi (Department of Architectural Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia)
Muizz O. Sanni-Anibire (Dammam Community College, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia)

Facilities

ISSN: 0263-2772

Article publication date: 29 September 2022

Issue publication date: 17 October 2022

206

Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to examine the practice of design for safety (DfS) in the construction industry of Saudi Arabia.

Design/methodology/approach

The study has adopted a mixed-method approach through the use of questionnaire surveys administered to professionals in architecture and engineering firms, as well as follow-up interviews with selected participants. The participants consisted of architects, structural engineers and electromechanical engineers. The study investigated dimensions related to knowledge and awareness, attitude toward DfS implementation and critical success factors for DfS implementation. These various dimensions have been assessed accordingly through the mean ratings in the relevant section of this paper. The thematic responses obtained from the follow-up interviews have been summarized and presented.

Findings

The findings from this study reveal a high level of awareness of DfS in Saudi Arabia. It also revealed that the most influential critical success factors are legislation and awareness of stakeholders, whereas the major barrier is the fear of cost overruns by the clients and their representatives.

Originality/value

The design stage of construction projects is crucial to enhancing the safety performance of projects through effective control of hazardous situations. The concept of DfS is, however, immature in many countries, such as Saudi Arabia, due to lack of awareness, enabling policies and other barriers. The value of this study is that it shows the current level of knowledge and practice of DfS in architecture and engineering firms in Saudi Arabia and consequently triggers the interest of stakeholders in its adoption and implementation.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors thank King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals for the support and facilities that made this research possible.

Citation

Hassanain, M.A., Al-Harogi, M. and Sanni-Anibire, M.O. (2022), "Design for safety in the construction industry: a study of architecture and engineering firms in Saudi Arabia", Facilities, Vol. 40 No. 13/14, pp. 895-911. https://doi.org/10.1108/F-04-2022-0056

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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