Investigating construction workers health and safety risks in sustainable building projects

Abstract

This research aims to explore workers’ health and safety risks in sustainable building projects. This research systematically reviews literature on workers’ health and safety risks in sustainable building projects and its non-sustainable counterparts to identify the specific safety risks posed to building projects’ workers. Using the key journals in the construction industry, this research has reviewed and tabulated important safety risks. The data collected has been categorised and statistically analysed to find differences between the different types of risks posed in sustainable versus non-sustainable building projects. Also, safety risks specific to sustainable building projects has been reviewed, identified and summarised. The results indicate that while some risks such as fall hazards are common to both sustainable and non-sustainable building projects risks such as overexertion and electrocution are more likely to occur in sustainable as opposed to non-sustainable building projects. In addition, the findings show that there are some safety risks that are specific to sustainable building projects and these risks increase occupational safety on sites over and above traditional risk levels. This study’s findings can be used by researchers and construction participants to better understand workers’ health and safety risks in sustainable building projects and to be prepared to manage them.