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

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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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Chien-Ho Ko & Hani A. Abdulmajeed, 2022. "Improving Construction Safety: Lessons Learned from COVID-19 in the United States," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-12, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:12:p:7137-:d:835996
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tariq Umar, 2022. "The Impact of COVID-19 on the GCC Construction Industry," International Journal of Service Science, Management, Engineering, and Technology (IJSSMET), IGI Global, vol. 13(2), pages 1-17, March.
    2. Renukappa, Suresh & Kamunda, Andrew & Suresh, Subashini, 2021. "Impact of COVID-19 on water sector projects and practices," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    3. Carmen M. Felipe & José L. Roldán & Antonio L. Leal-Rodríguez, 2017. "Impact of Organizational Culture Values on Organizational Agility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-23, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Felipe Araya & Paula Poblete & Luis Arturo Salazar & Omar Sánchez & Leonardo Sierra-Varela & Álvaro Filun, 2024. "Exploring the Influence of Construction Companies Characteristics on Their Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Chilean Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-25, April.

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