Emerging technologies in health and safety management: current perspectives and future prospects

The construction industry grapples with significant health and safety challenges, resulting in frequent injuries and fatalities, despite regulatory efforts. Emerging technologies like BIM, AR, VR, AI, robotics, and drones hold promise in enhancing safety through real-time communication and monitoring. These innovations can proactively address safety concerns, potentially reducing accidents, boosting productivity, and enhancing overall well-being of workers. However, existing knowledge lacks a comprehensive overview of current and evolving technologies in health and safety within Construction 4.0. This chapter aims to address this gap by presenting a wide-ranging account of digital technologies, including digital twin applications, in a structured and categorical manner. It introduces a novel concept of incorporating health and safety considerations throughout the construction lifecycle, facilitating a comparative analysis between traditional and modern construction approaches. Covering stages from design to deconstruction, the chapter also identifies knowledge gaps, providing a foundation for future research and development in the field.