Relationship between Subcontracting Models and Adoption of Innovative Methods in Construction Safety

Abstract

Methods for establishing and practicing safety culture across the multiple organizations that collaborate on today’s complex and dynamic construction projects are intended to prevent accidents and lawsuits. These methods have been described extensively in the literature; however, despite the large availability of research-proven best-compliance methods to achieve substantial improvement, safety records have only marginally improved. In addition, despite the emergence of digitalization even in construction, practitioners lack proper guidance for finding transformative tools that suit the detection and proactive mitigation of known risks naturally embedded in construction work environments and schedules. This article is part of a broader study to analyze pathways to innovation in construction safety and how some contractual and legal aspects, such as subcontracting, can either facilitate or hinder such innovation. After presenting our research objectives and methodology, we review prevalent and emergent subcontracting models. Then, we synthesize research-proven innovations in construction safety that rely on digitalization. We focus on a project’s legal framework and particularly on how subcontracting approaches and innovative safety methods may interact. There is no substantial evidence of studies in the literature that specifically address the intersection of these two areas.