Digital technologies (DTs) for safety education and training in construction

Area of Science:

• Construction Safety
• Digital Technologies in Education
• Occupational Health and Safety

Background:

• Digital technologies (DTs) are increasingly recognized for their role in educating and training individuals within the construction sector.
• DTs offer diverse applications aimed at improving safety performance in construction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review digital technologies used for safety education and training in construction since 2000.
• To explore the various application areas of these digital technologies in the construction industry.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
• Bibliometric analysis was employed to examine research trends, including publication counts, sources, influential works, countries, and research areas.
• Fifty-nine relevant articles were identified and analyzed.

Main Results:

• Immersive virtual reality (VR) technology is extensively utilized for safety education and training.
• The primary application area for most digital technologies focused on enhancing hazard recognition skills among individuals.
• Bibliometric analysis revealed key research trends and influential aspects within the field.

Conclusions:

• The study identified primary research domains and highlighted existing research gaps in digital technology applications for construction safety training.
• Proposed future research directions aim to improve the effectiveness of safety training within construction firms.
• Continued development and application of DTs, particularly VR, hold significant potential for advancing construction safety.