Occupational health and safety (H&S) is important to the design, construction, maintenance, refurbishment and demolition of buildings and facilities in all branches of industry, business and commerce. H&S issues have been a major consideration in construction. Far too many people get hurt, injured or die even though the situation has improved over recent years. Accident and fatality rates continue to be significantly higher than other industry sectors. Although all parties involved in the construction industry may address their respective responsibilities, the lack of integration between each organization often results in communication problems which jeopardize H&S. Of particular note is the communication during the design phase. All information pertaining to the project must be readily accessible for all parties, to ensure smooth and hitch-free project execution. This research reviews the challenges in the communication of health and safety information in the design phase of construction projects. It characterizes the various aspects of collaborative communications at this stage and highlights the problem area. The research was conducted in the UK based on a combination of qualitative research methods including literature review, interviews and analysis of focus group interviews data. Observations on documentation and interviews are used to investigate the current industry practice. The literature reviews revealed that communication industry is facing challenges with its communication system due to the nature of industry itself. The construction industry is a fragmented and complex industry with too many parties involved in a project. These parties come from various backgrounds and involved in the project in a temporary duration. The parties who become team members must be able to establish a relationship in such a short period of time and create a communication system that enables all of the parties to collaborate and interact with each other.

Purpose: The lack of digital competence in the industry of construction is a fact, which can obstruct the implementation of digital tools. The goal for the study is to chart the workers at the construction site’s digital competence through semi structured interviews with participants in an extension project, Alfa.  Method: The study was done through a case study with interviews as a primary source of data. The interviews are held at the construction site of the project alfa with an SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) as the general contractor.    Findings: The digital competence regarding the use of digital tools in building construction is, just as the experience to use them, low and several difficulties can be seen on the construction site. To be able to use the digital tools that is implemented on the construction site the construction workers need to have knowledge about for instance their own role and duties, how to navigate in the tools and what benefits that can come from the use of digital tools. Good communication between design and construction is important for the use of digital tools. More collaboration and greater understanding about the demands from construction can create an easier implementation and use of the digital tools in construction.  Implications: The digital skills of professional workers are generally low. Increased competence can be achieved through more training and information opportunities for professionals to take part in. Knowledge of the digital tools' structure and functions along with basic professional skills and computer experience contributes to a simplified use of digital tools. Through standards and guidelines for the use of digital tools in production, clearer strategies can be formed within companies and projects and result in simplified software development. By involving the contractors in the early planning stage, the demands and wishes of the professional workers can be lifted and simplify the use of the tools in the production.  Limitations: Due to the delimitations made, the study becomes narrower and more specific. The limitations make the study's results more concrete and can be used as guidelines and recommendations for future projects with similar conditions.  Keywords: construction, construction communication, obstacles, construction site workers, digital competence, building construction, digitalization