Assessing the Degradation of Safety Management Performance in Large Construction Projects: An Investigation and Decision Model Based on Complex Network Modeling

Modern safety control theory suggests that the accumulation of safety management defects at the organizational level can lead to a degradation in the overall safety management performance. This problem is exacerbated by the increasing complexity of safety management in large construction projects. The theoretical frameworks proposed by existing studies can provide generalized guidance for identifying safety management defects, but they are not flexible enough to address the complexity of a safety management system (SMS) in specific large construction projects. This study proposed an investigation and decision model based on a complex network model of SMSs. The main purpose was to accurately assess the degradation of safety management performance through the comprehensive identification of safety management defects for large construction projects. The functional components and their interactions in SMSs were graphically represented in a complex network using the fuzzy DEMATEL technique. Based on this, deep-seated safety management defects were identified by tracing the path of influence between the functional components and their roots. Furthermore, the results of this identification were used to support the assessment of the degradation of the safety performance of the overall SMS. The proposed model was verified with a large-scale wastewater treatment plant construction project in Lanzhou City, China. The degradation of the functional components could be presented in a complex visual network map to facilitate an understanding of the weak points or risk-sensitive areas throughout the SMS. Especially in the case of false safety perceptions, deep-seated safety management defects can be identified in time to prevent a sudden collapse of the SMS through early warnings. In addition, it also facilitates timely short-term improvement strategies and systematic long-term improvement strategies for long-term sustainability and increased resilience.