Abstract
Purpose
To improve construction safety management, the application of virtual reality (VR) has been demonstrated for workers’ safety training and hazard recognition. Although previous review studies have been conducted on VR applications in construction safety management, the recent advances in current uses, challenges and future research directions are still unexplored. Moreover, no framework has been developed to explore VR-based safety directions within the construction industry. Therefore, this paper conducts a systematic literature review and develops a conceptual framework of the current uses, challenges and future research directions of VR applications for construction safety management.
Design/methodology/approach
The research methods adopted a systematic literature review (i.e. PRISMA guidelines). In total, 58 included articles were retrieved from the Scopus database.
Findings
It was found that the current uses of VR applications include safety training and education (55%), safety risk management (19%), hazard identification (14%) and prevention through design. (12%) In addition, the challenges facing the adoption of VR applications include technology (software and hardware), social acceptance, culture influence, risk compensation and cost-effectiveness. Based on the identified challenges, future research directions were proposed.
Originality/value
This review study proposed a framework highlighting future research directions that could help other researchers and practitioners mitigate these challenges and improve construction safety management. Ultimately, it contributes to advancing the theoretical and practical applications of VR technology in construction.
To improve construction safety management, the application of virtual reality (VR) has been demonstrated for workers’ safety training and hazard recognition. Although previous review studies have been conducted on VR applications in construction safety management, the recent advances in current uses, challenges and future research directions are still unexplored. Moreover, no framework has been developed to explore VR-based safety directions within the construction industry. Therefore, this paper conducts a systematic literature review and develops a conceptual framework of the current uses, challenges and future research directions of VR applications for construction safety management.
Design/methodology/approach
The research methods adopted a systematic literature review (i.e. PRISMA guidelines). In total, 58 included articles were retrieved from the Scopus database.
Findings
It was found that the current uses of VR applications include safety training and education (55%), safety risk management (19%), hazard identification (14%) and prevention through design. (12%) In addition, the challenges facing the adoption of VR applications include technology (software and hardware), social acceptance, culture influence, risk compensation and cost-effectiveness. Based on the identified challenges, future research directions were proposed.
Originality/value
This review study proposed a framework highlighting future research directions that could help other researchers and practitioners mitigate these challenges and improve construction safety management. Ultimately, it contributes to advancing the theoretical and practical applications of VR technology in construction.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Construction Innovation |
| Early online date | 17 Oct 2025 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 17 Oct 2025 |
Bibliographical note
Copyright © 2025 Emerald Publishing. This AAM is deposited under the CC BY-NC 4.0 licence. Any reuse is allowed in accordance with the terms outlined by the licence. To reuse the AAM for commercial purposes, permission should be sought by contacting [email protected].Keywords
- Construction industry
- Safety management
- Systematic literature review
- Virtual reality