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Toward Safer, Sustainable Buildings: Understanding Occupational Safety Risks in Mass Timber Construction from U.S. Safety Professionals’ Perceptions

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Mass timber construction (MTC) has emerged as a sustainable alternative to conventional building systems due to its low carbon footprint, high structural performance, and alignment with the principles of a circular economy. While the environmental and structural advantages of mass timber (MT) are well-documented, its occupational safety implications remain underexplored. This study examines how construction safety professionals in the United States perceive and experience safety in MT projects, and how these perceptions compare to those in conventional concrete and steel construction. To achieve this objective, the data were collected through a national web-based survey of OSHA-authorized construction safety trainers. Analyses were conducted to explore perceptions of occupational safety in MT projects, to compare safety perceptions between MT and conventional materials, and to identify construction hazards and challenges specific to MT construction. Results show that respondents with MT experience generally perceive MT projects as safer than concrete or steel, whereas those without experience tend to be more neutral. However, even among experienced safety professionals in MT, a gap persists between observed and perceived safety hazards. High rates of near misses and non-fatal injuries further indicate operational strain during MT erection. These findings underscore the need for specialized, data-driven safety training and planning frameworks tailored to MT’s distinct workflows. Targeted safety programs can help align perception with reality, thereby improving safety outcomes in this rapidly expanding sustainable construction sector.

Source: Sustainability

DOI: 10.3390/su17229975

Authors: Ziyu Jin, S M Jamil Uddin, Rodolfo Valdes-Vasquez

Institution: Colorado State University

Language: English

Topic: Occupational Health and Safety Research

Subfield: Radiological and Ultrasound Technology

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Decent work and economic growth, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896