Summary of the ISHCCO-ECCE Webinar on Virtual Design and New Technologies in Construction

On 19^th November 2024, the International Safety and Health Construction Coordinators Organization (ISHCCO) and the European Council of Civil Engineers (ECCE) co-hosted a webinar titled "Virtual Design, New Technologies, and OSH in the Construction Industry – Experiences from a Danish Project."

The event brought together approximately 40 participants, including engineers, OSH professionals, Safety and Health Construction Coordinators, and representatives from the EU Commission and European Social Partners, to explore the integration of virtual design and emerging technologies in occupational health and safety (OSH) in the construction industry. Insights were drawn from Danish research and industry experiences, providing a robust platform for discussions on both the opportunities and challenges of these innovations.

Key Highlights:

• Technology Integration and OSH: Technologies like Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) and digital monitoring tools offer immense potential for safety improvement but face challenges such as limited data utilization, lack of standardization, and accessibility issues.
• Ethical Implications: The webinar emphasized transparency, consent, and ethical guidelines to ensure technologies respect worker autonomy and privacy while preventing misuse.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Stronger partnerships among researchers, safety professionals, IT experts, and policymakers are essential for advancing OSH-focused technological solutions.
• Education and Awareness: Comprehensive training is needed for both VDC and OSH professionals to harness technology effectively without compromising workplace safety.
• Case Studies: Insights from three Danish construction companies highlighted successes, limitations, and ethical considerations surrounding the use of tools like Dalux and BIM 360.

Interactive Group Discussions:

Participants underscored the importance of balancing technological advances with practical safety expertise, addressing subcontracting challenges, and fostering continuous dialogue between organizations like ISHCCO and ECCE to refine ethical and practical approaches to technology integration.

The webinar concluded with a call for further research, collaboration, and actionable strategies to ensure new technologies enhance, rather than hinder, safety in the construction industry.

📖 Read the Full Webinar Summary here

📝 View the PowerPoint Presentation here

🎥 Watch the Webinar on YouTube here

This webinar marks a step forward in bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and safety in construction, encouraging all stakeholders to engage in thoughtful implementation and ethical oversight.