Influence mechanism of worker social integration on informal safety knowledge transfer in construction projects

Purpose Safety risks on construction sites are dynamic and context-specific, yet formal training often fails to comprehensive address these real-time challenges effectively. As a result, informal safety knowledge transfer (ISKT) among workers plays an increasingly critical role. This study investigates how social integration (SI) among construction workers enhances ISKT and examines the mediating roles of cognitive diversity (CD) and cross-departmental collaboration (CDC) in this process. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods approach was employed, including a survey of 412 construction workers in Shandong Province, China. Structural equation modeling and principal component analysis were used to analyze the relationships between SI, ISKT, CD, and CDC. This method identified direct and indirect effects and the mediating roles of CD and CDC in the SI–ISKT relationship. Findings The results reveal that SI significantly enhances ISKT by fostering trust, communication, and collaboration among workers. CD facilitates the transformation of tacit safety knowledge, while CDC strengthens the organizational context for knowledge sharing across departments. These mechanisms create an informal safety knowledge network addressing on-site safety risks. CD and CDC act as complementary mediators, with CD dynamically enhancing SI and CDC strengthening ISKT at an organizational level. Originality/value This study provides a socio-cognitive framework linking SI with ISKT in construction settings. By integrating individual and organizational factors, it offers actionable insights for optimizing safety management systems. The findings highlight the value of leveraging SI, CD, and CDC to foster adaptive and collaborative safety practices, contributing to safer and more efficient construction environments.