Improving Construction Safety: Lessons Learned from COVID-19 in the United States

Chien-Ho Ko and Hani A. Abdulmajeed
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Chien-Ho Ko: Craig and Diane Martin National Center for Construction Safety, Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
Hani A. Abdulmajeed: Craig and Diane Martin National Center for Construction Safety, Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 12, 1-12

Abstract: During the COVID-19 pandemic, construction accidents in the United States (US) dropped dramatically compared to previous years. This research uses Saunders’ research onion approach to conduct a deep and systematic analysis of pre- and post-COVID-19 data to understand this phenomenon. The proposed research framework examines safety and prevention measures implemented by the US government, using data collected from various US government agencies, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and US Bureau of Labor Statistics. COVID-19’s effects on construction site health and safety were analyzed and ranked in order of efficacy in a hierarchy of control, and findings reveal a number of safety measures that can potentially be implemented to promote improved construction safety even after COVID-19 is over.

Keywords: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); COVID-19; OSHA recommendations; CDC guidelines; construction safety; health and safety (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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