Despite the improvement of digital technologies (e.g., building information modeling) in enhancing construction safety management, human factor–related issues such as individual perceptions, attitudes, and behavior in safety cannot be downplayed. Existing studies have adopted safety management approaches that address human-factor issues by defining safety climate. From safety climate research, it is evident that certain demographics or subgroup factors can significantly affect safety management. This study aimed to investigate how individual perceptions of safety hazards would be affected by the given hazard’s own feature (e.g., probability of occurrence). In addition, the study explored the impacts of subgroup demographic factors (e.g., job position and experience level) on safety perceptions. Eight commonly encountered site hazard/accident scenes were predefined according to their occurrence, severity, and visibility. A site survey approach was adopted to investigate how construction employees from different demographic subgroups rated the degree of danger of the eight predefined scenes. The follow-up statistical analysis revealed that (1) a hazard/accident scene with higher occurrence and lower severity caused a higher variation among employees’ opinions in perceiving its degree of danger; (2) entry-level employees tended to evaluate hazards with a higher degree of danger; and (3) compared to early career employees and senior peers, the mid-career professionals tended to perceive a lower degree of danger of a given hazard/accident scene. This study contributed to the body of knowledge in construction safety by investigating the effects of the given hazard/accident’s feature (e.g., occurrence) in employees’ perceptions, as well as integrating different scenes of safety hazards in the subgroup analysis based on employees’ job duties or work trades and their experience levels. Future research is also recommended to address individuals’ safety perceptions and demographic factors in safety management.

Purpose: Although the UK construction sector has enjoyed a significant rise in the number of women joining the industry, there is undoubtedly more room for improvement. Numerous schemes have been initiated by government and other professional bodies to encourage more women to undertake a career in construction. The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the organisational complexities of problems faced by women working in professional roles in construction. It thus initiates a dialogue on the lack of workplace flexibility and discriminatory practices that prevent many more women from joining. Design/methodology/approach: A phenomenological philosophy is adopted. The research critically explores the views of women working in professional roles in six large construction firms in England. Findings: It was widely acknowledged that the industry had improved significantly, however there are still concerns yet to be addressed. It was identified that women face new challenges when they attain senior roles. Furthermore, it is believed that the current glass ceiling theory and leaky pipeline theory are not adequate to study these issues. Research limitations/implications: Sample size and narrow focus on large construction firms are the limitations of the paper. Practical implications: Through academic and industry dissemination, the findings from this research encourage both men and women working in the construction industry to adopt inclusive practices that will help widen the pool of knowledge and expertise. Social implications: This paper sheds light on a problem that is assumed to be eradicated once women progress to senior management roles. Originality/value: This research presents an in-depth critical perspective of challenges faced by women construction professionals occupying decision-making positions.

Sustainable futures necessitate a concomitant requirement for both sustainable buildings and sustainable behaviours under one roof. The defining principles behind Earthship buildings are to promote the use of local, recycled, waste, natural and renewable materials in their construction, for the adoption of a passive solar design for internal heating/cooling, collection of rainwater as a potable water supply, and encourage the onsite recycling of used water for plants to aid food production. However, despite growth in Earthship buildings constructed across many countries of the world, their appeal has not yet made a noticeable contribution to mainstream housing. Therefore, this study is the first to attempt to explore public perceptions towards the benefits and barriers of Earthship buildings as a means of understanding their demand by potential home builders/owners. Opinions were sought through questionnaire surveys completed by visitors to the Brighton Earthship building. Results reveal that the public believe that the reclamation of rainwater and greywater, renewable energy consumption and use of recycled materials included in the design/build are the major benefits of Earthship buildings, whilst the opportunity for a modern living style in a conservative lifestyle/setting, having a building that is cheaper than an ordinary home and the possibility of living totally off grid are considered the least beneficial reasons for building Earthship homes. Results also reveal that the public believe acquiring necessary permits/permissions to build may be more complicated, securing financial support (mortgage/loan) may be more challenging, and identifying/attaining suitable building plots are major barriers of Earthship buildings, whilst the futuristic/alternative building design, being built from waste materials and being entirely dependent on renewable resources (rainfall/wind/sunshine) are considered the least important barriers to building Earthship homes. Notwithstanding the participants included in this study already having an interest in Earthship buildings/lifestyles, it is concluded that the general public deem the general principles of Earthships as an acceptable choice of building/living but it is the formal means of building or buying an Earthship home that is the greatest hurdle against the uptake of Earthship buildings. Therefore, if sustainable futures are to be realized, it is proposed that a shift away from traditional house building towards Earthship building will require the involvement of all stakeholders immersed in the building process (architects, planners, builders, investors, lawyers) to path an easier journey for Earthship buildings and sustainable living.

Health and safety (H&S) management has traditionally been the responsibility of the contractor. Most often, contractors are blamed for the accidents and other ill health that occur on their construction sites. H&S performance is, however, enhanced when there is effective collaboration between those involved in the construction process. This paper therefore explores the role of stakeholders in promoting construction H&S in Ghana through public works procurement. The four main stakeholders identified and evaluated in this study are the government, the client (employer), the contractor and the employee(s). Seven interviewees (comprising procurement managers, consultants and quantity surveyors) from public institutions in Ghana participated in the research. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and were thematically analysed. Results indicate a conflict in the perceived functions and relation of these stakeholders in the construction process. To address the constraint to improving construction H&S, certain recommendations are offered. These include the identification of specific individuals responsible for supervision and employee training, the development of H&S policies by the government and contracts that clearly outline the contractual obligations of all parties involved. Additionally, the specific roles and involvements of other stakeholders in the procurement process in improving construction H&S are also outlined.

The UK’s construction industry is facing an ever-increasing skills shortage and is experiencing the highest density of shortages across all other sectors. The skills shortage is extensively explored, but research rarely considers whether the skills shortage directly contributes to the rising cost of construction. This research explores the severity of the current skills shortage, identifies the causes, assesses the effects on rising costs and, finally, ascertains the consequences and recognises the strategies that help alleviate the skills shortage. A mixed methodological approach was adopted in this study. A total of 78 questionnaires and three semi-structured interviews were conducted using purposive sampling; the complementary data were statistically and thematically analysed, respectively. The existing literature tends to separate time, cost and quality, but the findings from this study reveal that industry professionals are reluctant to separate cost from other project variables. They believe that all issues have direct and indirect implications on project costs. Additionally, measures intended to reduce the industry’s skills shortage – for example, the direct employment mandate for public works – may be driving up project costs even further. This research offers pragmatic recommendations to organisations using insights from practitioners and policy influencers that can help mitigate the skills shortage crisis and improve project costs as well.