Proactive prevention: embedding safety into South African construction design

Purpose Prevention through Design (PtD) has continued to gain traction as a viable method for achieving safety in construction due to its ability to address safety issues right from the project’s design phase. However, despite the existing discourse on the potential of PtD, evidence of its application in the delivery of safe construction projects in South Africa is still limited. Therefore, this study explored PtD as a proactive approach toward ensuring safety on construction sites in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a post-positivist philosophical stance using a quantitative research design and a structured questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. Built environment professionals involved in the design and delivery of construction projects were surveyed, and the data analysis was done using frequency, mean score, the Kruskal–Wallis H -Test and confirmatory factor analysis in EQS 6.4. Findings The study found a high awareness of PtD practices, albeit a moderate level of implementation. All 14 PtD practices assessed were considered significant to achieving safety within the South African construction industry. However, their implementation is challenged by the poor safety culture, budget constraints to implement safety practices, lack of PtD education and training, absence of supporting policies and standards and deficiency in designers’ skills and understanding of PtD, among others. Originality/value By strategically integrating the identified PtD practices in the design phase of construction projects in South Africa, safety risks can be mitigated and a culture of accident prevention can be achieved. The study also provides a foundation for future studies in South Africa seeking to explore proactive prevention of accidents in construction projects through PtD – an aspect that has gained less attention in the South African construction safety discourse.