Research into risks in the construction industry

The use of human and social sciences appears increasingly necessary to analyze the problems of relationships with professional risks in construction and public works.

Based on this observation, the Ecole Centrale Paris, the Professional Organization for Prevention in the Construction Industry (OPPBTP), and the National Multidisciplinary Group for Occupational Health in the Construction Industry (GNMST-BTP) have just formed a team of researchers and collaborators on this topic. The objective is to conduct action research, coordinated by Patrick Obertelli, professor at the ECP, designed to both produce scientific knowledge and provide pragmatic responses to construction professionals. A social science researcher from Carleton University in Canada will also participate in this work.

Concrete and participatory research

This research, which is resolutely participatory, involves the managers and employees of several construction SMEs. The companies Pagot, TBI-Sham, and Saussine provide the initial observation sites.

The aim here will be to try to understand the real behavior of teams and individuals in their specific professional contexts, including those which are usually described as irrational.

Three studies will be conducted. The first will capitalize on the knowledge of OPPBTP prevention advisors and GNMST-BTP doctors on the subject.

The second will aim to create a method to support the thinking of construction teams. The researchers will rely in particular on the free expression of operators to better understand the complexity of the factors that come into play in work situations and identify levers for change.

Finally, the third study will explore work situations identified by teams of workers as sensitive from a risk perspective. The research practices will combine interviews with management and teams, films of work situations, and collective analyses.