The construction industry stands at the intersection of innovation and societal transformation. The industry is at a pivotal juncture in its evolution, facing rising demands for technical innovation and productivity and a renewed commitment to the common good. Yet, despite significant advances in technology and industrial policy, the well-being of its workforce remains a pressing concern. This special issue (SI), “The Common Good in Construction”, brings together scholarship focused on enhancing construction workers’ and stakeholders’ health, safety and well-being. It is grounded in the ethos of inclusive and ethical reasoning, aligning closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good health and well-being) and 8 (Decent work and economic growth), framing these objectives as central to the advancement of the industry.
At the heart of this issue lies the concept of the common good − a principle rooted in moral philosophy and social justice. The common good refers to social conditions allowing individuals and communities to reach their full potential. In construction, this means creating environments where worker dignity, physical safety, mental health and inclusive participation are upheld across all levels of the project life cycle. Rather than privileging profit or productivity alone, this vision advocates for practices that are just, sustainable and beneficial to people in construction (PiC), especially those whose labour makes construction possible. Despite significant strides in automation, digitization and technology, the construction sector continues to wrestle with high rates of accidents, near misses and psychosocial stressors, including burnout and mental health issues. This paradox highlights a gap between technological advancement and human-centred progress. This SI curates contributions that interrogate and illuminate how construction processes, organizational practices and emerging technologies can collectively promote a healthier, safer and more humane work site to engender a construction industry that works for the benefit of all.
The issue begins by exploring mental health challenges and their implications for construction safety by Lawani et al. (2025a). Data from across the globe shows that millions suffer mental health issues in the construction industry, and as such, this article shows that the sector is making good strides towards tackling the scourge. This has become necessary because poor mental health imposes a significant financial burden on the economy and individuals, and the inconsistency in support available to personnel warrants a remedy. The industry cannot discount the causes and effects of mental ill-health among its workforce. The second article of the SI by Rahman et al. (2025a) shows that several factors affect the well-being of site operatives in construction through a conceptual model involving physical, psychological and social aspects. The article indicates that these factors affect the well-being of workers and their employers in India and Malaysia. In addition, developing countries with similar features should pay close attention to them by promoting good health and well-being on project sites.
The third article of the SI concerns the development of well-being indices for construction sites. Rahman et al. (2025b) showed that general safety and health monitoring, salary package, timeline of salary payment, working hours, communication between workers and planning of projects are critical workplace well-being factors on construction sites. These factors serve as indices for all project types, so much so that it is recommended that project actors take note of them in decision-making. Switching from well-being to safety insights, article 4 of the SI by Tymvios et al. (2025) focuses on falls through skylights in the USA. The authors investigated and analysed 204 incidents involving skylights through the Bureau of Labour Statistics database. They discovered that most falls through skylights occur during roofing maintenance and repair work. They also observe that such accidents are underreported. These accidents persist in the industry to the detriment of the safety of workers.
Owusu-Boadi et al. (2025) expedited a review of environmental health and safety (EHS) in construction to feature as the fifth article of the SI. Using science mapping (bibliometric and scientometric analysis) with VOSviewer software, they advised on the focus of EHS in the sector. The focus includes sustainability, productivity, design and culture. Culture is closely linked to climate and behaviour, which featured prominently in the article by Anandh et al. (2025). The article provides insights into the role of psychological contract of safety (PCS) in construction. PCS, a significant factor in safety climate, benefits everyone keen to improve construction safety through behaviour, norms, procedures and policies. Digital technologies close out the two articles in the SI. The seventh article focuses on using digital technologies to enhance health and safety at the strategic level. Here, Rahman et al. (2025c) suggested that Internet of Things, autonomous construction, big data and predictive analytics, artificial intelligence, augmented reality and building information modelling (BIM) are vital to efforts geared towards health and safety improvement. Similarly, Lawani et al. (2025b) suggested that integrating BIM and 3D laser scanning could mitigate rework, project delays, cost overruns, communication breakdowns and other matters that prevent project success. The last two articles of the SI attest to the reality that the industry is evolving with technology in tandem.
As the construction sector evolves to meet the challenges of the 21st century, a human-centred approach to practice is not optional − it is imperative. Because the industry will continue to transform under the pressures of digitization, climate change and demographic shifts, pursuing the common good provides both a moral compass and a practical framework for sustained improvement. The eight articles featured in this SI offer multidimensional perspectives on achieving the common good in construction. Together, they advocate for an industry culture where workers’ safety, dignity and mental well-being are prioritized over productivity. They also illustrate how integrating automation and big data technology can collectively support safer and more equitable construction environments.
This SI aims to catalyse deeper academic inquiry and practical transformation. The insights presented here should inspire researchers, practitioners and policymakers to integrate moral principles, technology and cross-sectoral collaboration into construction practice. Embracing the common good yields multiple benefits: it enhances worker morale and productivity, reduces the incidence of accidents and burnout and strengthens stakeholder trust and social licence. More broadly, it positions the construction sector as a responsible contributor to societal progress, building not just facilities but also communities of care and inclusion.
As a CIB-partner journal, JEDT articles highlight the latest ideas and best practices for advancing research and innovation in building and construction. The Coordinators of CIB Working Commission on Health, Safety and Wellbeing (Dr Fred Sherratt and Prof Billy Hare) and People in Construction (Prof John Smallwood and I), including the Editor-in-Chief of JEDT, Dr Nicholas Chileshe, appreciate the continued support of readers and contributors. I hope this collection of articles inspires continued inquiry and action towards embedding the common good at the heart of the construction industry’s policy, education and practice.
Happy Reading!
