Can Design Improve Construction Safety?: Assessing the Impact of a Collaborative Safety-in-Design Process
Marc Weinstein1; John Gambatese, M.ASCE2; and Steven Hecker3

Abstract: This paper analyzes the impact of a large-scale safety-in-design initiative during the design and construction of a semiconductor manufacturing facility in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Drawing on multiple data sources including individual interviews, group interviews, construction documentation, and an expert panel involved in the initiative, the writers identify 26 potential design changes on the project and assess the importance of timing, trade contractor involvement, and the type of design change in determining whether a proposed design change was ultimately integrated into the final construction plans. The writers further consider whether adopted design changes would have occurred in the absence of the safety-in-design initiative and whether the accepted design changes ultimately impacted construction site safety on the project. This analysis of a full-scale safety-in-design initiative provides important insights into how injury prevention efforts in the construction industry can begin upstream by involving designers, engineers, and trade contractors in preconstruction processes. DOI: 10.1061/ ASCE 0733-9364 2005 131:10 1125 CE Database subject headings: Construction management; Design; Safety; Injuries; Accident prevention.

Introduction
The notion that the safety of construction worksites can be increased through better design is both intuitively appealing and supported by research indicating that better planning, scheduling, and design could reduce hazards on construction worksites Whittington et al. 1992; Suraji et al. 2001; Gibb et al. 2004 . Recognizing the importance of these factors in construction worksite safety, the European Union enacted the “Control of