VR and BIM Integration Framework for H&S Management During Design Phase

Abstract

The construction industry faces high rates of accidents and injuries due to traditional risk identification methods, such as 2D drawings, manual inspections, and reactive assessments during construction, which hinder early hazard detection and multidisciplinary collaboration. Despite the potential of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Virtual Reality (VR) to improve health and safety (H&S) management, their integration for proactive design-phase applications remains underexplored.

This study develops and validates a BIM–VR workflow for early H&S hazard identification and management. Adopting a pragmatic philosophy and abductive mixed-methods approach, a literature review identified gaps in existing frameworks, informing workflow design using tools like Revit, Enscape, Navisworks, Vrex, and Autodesk Construction Cloud. The workflow was implemented on an anonymized real-project BIM model.

Quantitative validation against the construction-phase risk register showed over 80% of hazards were identified proactively. Qualitative assessment confirmed enhanced clarity and coordination in safety information. The BIM–VR workflow advances design-phase H&S by enabling immersive hazard review, metadata integration, and collaborative issue resolution, offering a replicable solution aligned with digital construction practices.