BIM-Based Construction Accidents Knowledge Database Management System: Centralized Accessible Information Repository for Enhanced Learning from the Past

Knowledge management (KM) for project safety is crucial to prevent repeated construction accidents, including fatalities, injuries, near misses, and property damage. This research examined widespread issues in managing historical accident data that impact effective learning from past accidents. Subsequently, a prototype building information modeling (BIM)-based construction accidents knowledge database management system (BIM-CAKDMS) was developed that exploits the structured database management and three-dimensional (3D) visualization capabilities of BIM and was validated using three construction accident case studies, expert interviews, and a lab experiment. The proposed system’s primary innovation lies in its ability to integrate accident investigation data directly into the 3D BIM model, creating high-fidelity construction accident animations and simulations that allow stakeholders to analyze the chain of events, understand contributing factors in their actual spatial and temporal context, and internalize lessons learned through experiential rather than abstract learning. Results show that BIM-CAKDMS provides a centralized repository, standardizes data entry, and improves information accessibility. Moreover, its 3D visualization capability and the construction accident animations enhance collaboration, safety communication, and training effectiveness, and reduce the cognitive load of learning from accidents compared with text-based approaches. Overall, this study contributes to automation in construction by enabling enhanced access to accident knowledge, streamlining data-sharing among stakeholders, and learning from 3D accident animations, which potentially may lead to proactive accident prevention strategies.