From association to Explanation: Causal explanation of Rework-Related safety events using Evidential Pluralism

Non-conformances that require rework can introduce safety risks. However, the causal links between these events have received limited attention in the literature. This study examines how rework contributes to safety risk by applying Evidential Pluralism , which integrates difference-making evidence with mechanistic explanation. Using a longitudinal mixed-methods design within a Tier-1 construction organisation, we analysed non-conformance reports, safety incident data, project documentation, interviews, and site observations over two research cycles. Quantitative analyses identified a weak but suggestive association between rework frequency and injury occurrence, signalling the need for deeper mechanistic inquiry. The qualitative and documentary evidence showed that rework disrupts workflows, reduces supervisory continuity, alters task sequencing, and increases physical and cognitive demands; factors that, in situated work contexts, elevate the potential for hazardous events. These mechanisms explain why rework-related safety incidents occurred even in the absence of strong statistical regularities. By demonstrating how Evidential Pluralism integrates empirical patterns with context-specific causal processes, the study provides a more robust foundation for understanding rework and its safety consequences. Practical implications include using non-conformances as prompts for strengthened planning, supervision, and risk assessment, and embedding the operational changes introduced by rework into routine safety management to lessen incident risk and improve project performance.