Abstract:

The Colombian legislation for construction demands that all workers undertake appropriate training regarding safety measures to prevent accidents during the execution of any construction work. Traditionally the courses offered within the academic environment are structured around the theoretical rather than the practical component. Overall, their content is similar; the participant must read the current legal regulations applicable to their specific field, so they can design a theoretical safety plan tailored to the type of project to be built. This document consigns all the rules they must follow on the construction site.

However, this educational model does not allow the development of an effective learning process for the participants, as it is not linked to the situations that can occur in real life. The comprehension of these concepts relies on the knowledge that each person has previously attained within their education process. For instance, the profile of the participants within these safety training courses can include professionals from different backgrounds with dissimilar levels of education, from post and undergraduate, technical, and technological to more empirical practitioners and apprentices that have attained their knowledge by practice. Hence, the interpretations of these concepts and current regulations vary substantially and, in many cases, can lead to misunderstandings and erroneous practices. Thus, it is possible to affirm that the learning and understanding processes regarding safety on a construction site are highly relevant. Indeed, these gaps of knowledge and clear understanding put at risk the human integrity of all workers, which has led to higher rates of accidentality within the construction works in the country, according to data and statistics from recent years.

The aim of this research is to identify the possible advantages and disadvantages of implementing 3D and 4D simulation methods through BIM methodology, in teaching and learning about safety on site for the subsequent proposal, implementation and control of strategies that allow the reduction of accident rates in the construction sector. Overall, the outcome of this research seeks to improve the teaching-learning processes in training actors related to safety in construction work, reducing the accident rates in the construction sector in Colombia.

Keywords:

Building Information Modelling – BIM –, fatal falls, construction, digital media, construction safety management, 3D simulations, 4D simulations.