Application of Blockchain Technology in Construction Site Safety Management: A Systematic Review of Solutions, Challenges, and Future Directions

Abstract

Introduction: The construction industry is among the most hazardous economic sectors, demanding innovative approaches to strengthen safety management. Due to its transparency, immutability, and automated smart contracts, blockchain technology has emerged as a powerful enabler of safer construction sites. This systematic review is among the first comprehensive efforts to evaluate the applications of blockchain in construction safety management.

Material and Methods: Guided by PRISMA, comprehensive searches of Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, IEEE Xplore, and Google Scholar identified studies published between 2015 and 2025. Eighteen articles met the inclusion criteria and were synthesized through narrative review and thematic analysis.

Results: Blockchain applications have clustered into four domains: safety monitoring and inspection, safety reporting and information management, worker-centered safety solutions, and specialized construction safety applications. Reported benefits have included heightened data integrity and security, enhanced transparency and accountability, operational efficiencies, and reinforcement of a proactive safety culture. Nevertheless, significant challenges have persisted, notably technical complexity, integration and adoption barriers, implementation costs, and governance and regulatory constraints. Future research should prioritize the convergence of blockchain with the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as large-scale implementation and validation studies, advanced security frameworks, and enhanced user experience.

Conclusion: Evidence indicates that blockchain can substantially improve safety performance on construction sites. However, scaling from proof-of-concept to industry-wide deployment requires overcoming considerable technical, organizational, and legal hurdles. Close collaboration among researchers, and industry practitioners, is essential to unlock the full potential of blockchain and translate it into tangible safety outcomes.