Standardization of Safety Management Cost Allocation and Regulatory Flexibility for Mutual Recognition in Promoting Smart Safety in the Construction Industry

This study aims to establish clear cost calculation criteria for smart safety equipment and improve the flexibility of cost recognition between the Industrial Safety and Health Act and the Construction Technology Promotion Act. Additionally, it seeks to enhance practical applicability by introducing differentiated criteria based on project scale, type, and construction phase while reducing adoption barriers for small-scale construction sites. A review of prior studies was conducted to define the concept of smart safety in construction and examine the safety management cost system. Domestic and international case studies were analyzed to assess the current state. Furthermore, interviews with construction workers and on-site investigations were conducted to identify ambiguities in cost recognition and regulatory constraints. The study found that the bifurcation of cost calculation standards between the Industrial Safety and Health Act and the Construction Technology Promotion Act causes practical confusion. Equipment that serves both worker protection and facility safety lacks clear classification, leading to delays in adoption. To address this, smart safety equipment should be categorized by purpose, with clear cost calculation standards established. The study highlights the need to clarify the cost calculation criteria for smart safety equipment and establish a flexible cost recognition framework between regulatory systems. It also suggests developing detailed cost standards based on construction type, scale, and progress phase to facilitate the adoption of smart safety equipment, particularly in small-scale construction projects.