Program Overview

Introduction to CIVL8201 Health and Safety in Construction

The objective of this unit is to develop a comprehensive understanding of significant health and safety concerns and to apply various approaches for risk assessment and management in order to ensure safer construction projects. This encompasses the study of potential hazards at construction sites, the utilization of techniques for hazard identification, both qualitative and quantitative methods of risk assessment, strategies for risk control and management, impact analysis, safety principles at various design and construction stages, the influence of human factors on construction safety, and the effective communication of health, safety, and risk management strategies.

General Information

• Unit convenor and teaching staff: Lecturer Rouzbeh Abbassi and Lecturer Nima Golestani
• Credit points: 10
• Prerequisites: None
• Corequisites: None
• Co-badged status: CIVL4401
• Unit description: As described in the introduction, focusing on health and safety in construction projects.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

• ULO1: Identify and assess the major work health, safety, and welfare legislation in construction projects.
• ULO2: Demonstrate an in-depth understanding and use of hazard and quantitative risk identification methods in construction projects.
• ULO3: Review and improve risk management practices of civil engineering operations.
• ULO4: Develop and communicate safety and risk management strategies for safer construction projects.
• ULO5: Apply advanced techniques in analyzing and mitigating complex safety challenges in construction projects.

General Assessment Information

To pass this unit, a student must obtain a mark of 50 or more. Assessments include in-class activities, scheduled tests, and exams, which must be undertaken at the indicated times. Missed assessments due to illness or misadventure may be eligible for Special Consideration.

Assessment Tasks

• Technical Literature Appraisal: 20% weighting, due on 10/10/2025. Students critically review a peer-reviewed journal article, evaluating its objectives, methodology, key findings, and relevance to industry practice.
• Team Project final report and presentation: 50% weighting, due on 07/11/2025. Students work in groups on a designated project topic, presenting a completed report and responding to questions.
• Final examination: 30% weighting, held during the exam period. The final examination assesses students' understanding of the unit's learning outcomes.

Delivery and Resources

Teaching materials, including lecture notes and slides, are provided by the instructor through ILearn. There are no tutorial sessions in Week 1.

Unit Schedule

The unit schedule is available on ILearn.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of policies such as Academic Appeals, Academic Integrity, and Special Consideration.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides various support services, including academic support, library services, IT support, accessibility and disability support, mental health support, and social support.

Engineers Australia Competency Mapping

The unit aligns with several Engineers Australia competency standards, including:

• Knowledge and Skill Base: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6
• Engineering Application Ability: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4
• Professional and Personal Attributes: 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6

This unit is designed to enhance student understanding of global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), particularly Good Health and Well Being, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Sustainable Cities and Communities.