From Exploration to Prioritization: Advancing BIM-IOT Integration for Construction Health and Safety Improvement

Abstract

The construction industry faces significant workplace safety-related challenges, with developing countries experiencing disproportionately high accident rates. While Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies show individual promise for safety enhancement, their integrated application remains underexplored in developing contexts. This study employs a mixed-method approach combining systematic literature review with quantitative survey validation to investigate BIM-IoT integration advantages for construction safety in South Africa. The literature review analyzed peer-reviewed articles published between 2010-2025, while the empirical phase surveyed construction professionals from CIDB-registered companies. Data analysis utilized exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis to validate identified advantages. The systematic review identified fifteen key advantages, with "improved safety monitoring" as the most cited advantage, followed by "real-time decision-making" and "hazard identification". Quantitative validation confirmed strong literature-practice alignment, with the same three advantages ranking highest among practitioners (mean scores 4.28, 4.22, and 4.19 respectively), confirming universal applicability of core advantages. Statistical analysis revealed five underlying dimensions: Real-time Monitoring & Control, Safety Planning & Design, Training & Communication, Investigation & Reporting, and Compliance & Economics. All factors demonstrated excellent reliability. Context-specific insights revealed that South African professionals prioritize regulatory compliance and cost considerations more than global literature suggests, while design-phase hazard elimination ranked lowest despite theoretical recognition. Despite moderate technology familiarity, significant implementation gaps exist, indicating substantial opportunities for safety improvement. This research provides comprehensive quantitative validation of BIM-IoT safety advantages in a developing country context, offering evidence-based priorities for technology adoption and policy development.

Keywords: Advantages, BIM-IoT, Integration, Construction Safety, South Africa