CBPM Conference 2026 · Vol. 2026, Issue 1

Impediments to Readiness to Adopt Building Information Modelling for Health and Safety Among Small and Medium Contractors in KwaZulu-Natal

Siyabonga Mchunu, Justus Ngala Agumba, Oluseyi Adebowale

Keywords: Building Information Modelling, Health and Safety, Impediments to Readiness, Small and Medium Contractors

Abstract

The construction industry remains one of the most hazardous economic sectors, with persistently high accident and fatality rates worldwide. Building Information Modelling (BIM) has emerged as a valuable tool for strengthening health and safety (H&S) management through improved visualisation, early hazard detection, and enhanced project collaboration. While large construction firms have progressively adopted BIM, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which constitute many South African construction companies, continue to lag in adopting digital technologies. Although SME readiness for BIM is known to depend on the alignment of strategy, leadership, culture, people, and technology, far less is known about the impediments that prevent this alignment in practice. This study, therefore, aimed to identify the impediments to SME readiness for BIM-enabled H&S management in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. Using a positivist, deductive, and quantitative design, a simple random sample of 130 SMEs registered with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) in KZN completed questionnaires measuring 13 potential impediments. Respondents agreed that these impediments significantly constrain SME readiness for BIM-enabled H&S management (overall mean = 4.00), with limited infrastructure, restricted training, and a shortage of skilled personnel identified as the most significant. Insufficient standardisation, resistance to organisational change, software incompatibility and inadequate funding were also rated highly. Targeted initiatives, including affordable training, SME-specific implementation frameworks, leadership awareness campaigns, government incentives, and industry collaboration, are needed to address these impediments and accelerate BIM uptake for H&S management among South African SMEs.