An integrated framework for understanding near misses in construction: evidence from a systematic analysis of antecedents, consequences and control measures

Purpose Near misses in the construction industry act as critical early warnings of potential hazards, they profoundly reveal the underlying risks within the construction system. Despite extensive attention, existing research remains fragmented and limited in perspective. Therefore, this study aims to fill this gap by systematically summarizing and analyzing antecedents, consequences and control measures of near misses, helping to determine future research directions and providing reliable suggestions that combine theory and practice. Design/methodology/approach During the research process, research followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and identified 48 articles for systematic review. Bow-tie Analysis (BTA) was then applied to code tertiary factors concerning antecedents, consequences, and control measures, forming the concept of a near-miss lifecycle management (NMLM). Findings Findings reveal insufficient practical competence as a primary antecedent, with significant consequences including injuries and increased accident rates. Besides, current control measures focus on retrospective adjustments. Originality/value This study aims to provide researchers and construction safety practitioners with a comprehensive knowledge framework for near misses and enable people to correctly face and handle them in different situations. Furthermore, based on the research results, research hopes that researchers will take proactive preventive measures rather than passively accept and handle them, in order to effectively reduce potential accidents and significantly improve the overall safety management level of the industry.