Case studies
Our case studies provide examples of BIM in use for health and safety, across a range of projects in New Zealand.
Court Theatre: Creating a culture of collaboration
DBC Building Services used Building Information Modelling (BIM) and advanced manufacturing techniques to improve safety and efficiency in the mechanical services installation for the Dunedin Outpatients Building. Using 3D modelling and direct-to-fabrication processes, the team significantly reduced on-site work at height, improved accuracy, and created a safer work environment.
Court Theatre: Pre-planning for safer work
DBC Building Services used Building Information Modelling (BIM) and advanced manufacturing techniques to improve safety and efficiency in the mechanical services installation for the Dunedin Outpatients Building. Using 3D modelling and direct-to-fabrication processes, the team significantly reduced on-site work at height, improved accuracy, and created a safer work environment.
Dunedin Hospital Outpatients Building: Subcontractor modelling and prefabrication
DBC Building Services used Building Information Modelling (BIM) and advanced manufacturing techniques to improve safety and efficiency in the mechanical services installation for the Dunedin Outpatients Building. Using 3D modelling and direct-to-fabrication processes, the team significantly reduced on-site work at height, improved accuracy, and created a safer work environment.
ACC Ōtepoti: Contractor methodology design and hazard ID
On the ACC Ōtepoti project, a 5.6-meter void existed below the service deck on the top floor. The use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) enabled the project team to identify and address potential health and safety hazards associated with wall construction and services installation onto this space. By using the 3D model to facilitate open communication among stakeholders, the team could thoroughly investigate and address potential risks and possible alternatives before construction began, leading to a safer and more efficient building process.
ACC Ōtepoti: Clash detection for safer services installation
On the ACC Ōtepoti project, the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and collaborative processes enabled the project team to focus on potential health and safety hazards that could occur during construction and installation of services, particularly in ceiling spaces. Working with a federated 3D model and facilitating open communication among stakeholders, including contractors and subcontractors, the team could thoroughly investigate and address potential risks before and during construction, creating a safer and more efficient work environment.
Helix Global: Prefabricated housing using BIM
Helix Global is pioneering New Zealand’s first fully off-site manufactured residential home. By leveraging Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology, the company has been able to address the unique challenges associated with prefabricated construction, transportation, and on-site assembly. The use of BIM has enabled Helix Global to enhance safety throughout the entire process, from factory manufacturing to final installation.
DBC Building Services: Using BIM to support older workers
In the mechanical services industry, experienced workers like Colin Graham, a contract pipe fitter and welder, are benefiting from the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and 3D modelling. These technologies allow older workers to continue contributing their valuable skills while minimising physical risks associated with working on-site. By enabling remote work and prefabrication, BIM and 3D modelling improve safety, efficiency, and knowledge transfer between older and younger workers.
ACC Ōtepoti: Experiences of a new BIM user
On the ACC Ōtepoti project, the introduction of Building Information Modelling (BIM) to a seasoned construction professional with 23 years of experience in traditional 2D environments has demonstrated the significant potential for improving safety planning, communication, and issue resolution. By leveraging the 3D model’s interactive capabilities, the team was able to visualise and address potential safety hazards, plan work methodologies, and effectively communicate complex issues across geographically dispersed team members.
City Rail Link: BIM simulation for driver training
For the Central Rail Link project, the BIM model is used as the basis for a virtual reality fly-through to educate train drivers and communicate project progress to the public. This innovative approach allows drivers to experience and prepare for potential hazards they may encounter during construction, enhancing safety and awareness. The 3D model is updated quarterly to reflect current site conditions, including temporary works, machinery, and permanent installations.
City Rail Link: Virtual reality (VR) worker induction
The City Rail Link (CRL) project in New Zealand has implemented an innovative virtual reality (VR) induction process for workers, leveraging Building Information Modelling (BIM) to create immersive training environments. This approach allows workers to experience and understand potential hazards and safety protocols in a risk-free virtual setting before entering the actual construction site. The VR induction process has proven particularly effective for workers unfamiliar with tunnel environments or those who don’t have English as their first language, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of safety procedures across diverse teams.
Watercare: Creating an information culture around BIM
In this case study, Farzam Farzadi of Beca discusses how Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been implemented on a number of projects for Watercare, a water utility company in Auckland. By embracing BIM as a culture and way of working, Watercare has been able to improve health and safety outcomes, reduce project risks, and enhance collaboration among project stakeholders.
ACC Ōtepoti: BIM in steel design and prefabrication
John Jones Steel has been using 3D modelling technology for over 20 years, with a strong focus on improving health and safety in construction processes. By leveraging Building Information Modelling (BIM), the company has significantly enhanced its ability to design safer construction methods, increase prefabrication, and optimise on-site assembly processes. This approach has led to improved safety outcomes for both workshop and on-site workers, as well as better project deliverables for clients and other subcontractors involved in their projects.
ACC Ōtepoti: Using BIM to test façade installation options
On the ACC Ōtepoti project, the construction team is using the BIM model to support visualisation, planning and communication, and to improve health and safety processes during the façade installation. When challenges arise, team members can use the model to visualise the problem and share information with others, and test possible solutions. Communication and collaboration are facilitated, making it easier to plan safe construction methodologies to mitigate hazards, with clear benefits for improved health and safety management.
ACC Ōtepoti: Contractor use of BIM for communication
Page contents BackgroundVideoApproachOutcomes and benefitsLessons learntBackground“BIM is the best communication tool we have because it breaks down the barriers in understanding.” Matt Soppit, Project Manager, Naylor Love The ACC Ōtepoti project is a new office...
Dunedin Hospital Outpatients Building: Drilling with the Hilti semi-autonomous robot
Page contents BackgroundVideoApproachOutcomes and benefitsLessons learntBackgroundThe new Dunedin Hospital outpatients building is five storeys, and it is the first of two main buildings on the $1.47 billion project’s central city campus. The finished building will...
Steel and Tube: A new resource for health and safety
Steel & Tube, a reinforcing steel fabricator in New Zealand, has successfully adopted BIM technology to streamline their processes, enhance product delivery, and improve health and safety outcomes. Using 3D modelling software like Tekla Structures, they can create detailed visualisations of complex structures, plan sections of work for prefabrication, and share models with clients and on-site teams. This approach has resulted in substantial reductions in errors, increased efficiency, and the creation of safer working environments for project stakeholders.
City Rail Link: BIM for safety on Auckland’s City Rail Link project
On the City Rail Link project in Auckland, New Zealand, the project team has utilised BIM in various ways to improve safety planning, design coordination, and worker training. Using 3D models, point cloud data, virtual reality, and on-site digital tools, the team has been able to identify and mitigate potential safety hazards, standardise tunnel signage, provide immersive training experiences for workers, and enhance driver awareness. The approaches used on this large-scale, complex project can be adapted and applied to projects of any size, demonstrating the versatility and value of BIM in promoting safety in construction.
Naylor Love: Health and safety manager’s perspective on BIM
Jen Dransfield, a Health and Safety Advisor at Naylor Love, shares her perspective on how BIM can be used to enhance safety outcomes for workers on construction sites. By using BIM to provide “environmental feedback” and enable collaboration between different parties, the project team has been able to identify and mitigate risks, particularly for challenging projects like the Christchurch Cathedral Reinstatement and the Tower 3 build. Jen’s experience demonstrates the potential of BIM as a powerful tool for improving health and safety on the ground in construction.
Watercare: Digital engineering to support health and safety on infrastructure projects
Watercare, a water utility company in New Zealand, has implemented a digital engineering program to improve health and safety, reduce carbon footprint, and decrease cost and time on their infrastructure projects. Using BIM and data-driven approaches, Watercare aims to enhance awareness, collaboration, and consistency across their supply chain and project lifecycle.
Auckland Airport: Seeing the unseen
At Auckland Airport, the digital engineering team has utilised BIM and gaming software to improve underground utility mapping, visualisation, and construction site safety planning. By combining existing data with 3D scans, creating interactive models, and simulating various scenarios, the team has been able to reduce risks associated with underground services, enhance project team collaboration, and optimise site safety management.