Driving mechanism of attentional bias toward safety of construction workers: case study in China

Purpose Attentional bias toward safety (ABS) is a positive safety cognitive ability that could encourage individuals to engage in proactive safety behaviors; however, there is a lack of systematic sorting out of the driving mechanism of ABS. This study aims to identify the influencing factors and underlying mechanisms of ABS among construction workers (CWs) in China, thereby enhancing the practice of construction safety management. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory study using the open-ended approach of grounded theory was conducted, including 25-depth interviews with CWs. Based on the interviews’ records, a scale for measuring CWs’ ABS was developed and an empirical study on 554 workers was performed. The ABS scale was validated in conjunction with an ABS modification training experiment published by the authors’ team, and the theoretical model of the driving mechanism of CWs’ ABS was obtained. Findings The results showed that the six driving factors of construction workers’ ABS include organizational factors, risk perception, safety awareness, safety investment, job stress and workers’ educational level. This paper also identified the critical approach to improving workers’ ABS as an effective intervention on risk perception. In addition, the ABS scale was found to be effective in measuring the ABS level. Originality/value This paper is of importance in reducing the unsafe behaviors of construction workers and preventing and promoting the sustainable development of construction enterprises.