Occupational safety and health in modular integrated construction: A systematic literature review

Modular integrated construction (MiC) has garnered significant global interest from scholars and professionals. Despite its advantages, MiC introduces complex occupational health and safety (H&S) challenges due to its unique aspects, such as offsite manufacturing, high precision, standardisation, specialised assembly processes using cranes, and careful integration with existing structures. These complexities can lead to various H&S risks that need to be properly managed. Previous studies have explored H&S issues in MiC projects, but a systematic literature review (SLR) covering the entire lifecycle is lacking. To address this gap, an SLR using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) approach is undertaken. This review reveals various hazards across the MiC lifecycle, including health, ergonomics, machinery, falls, transportation, strikes, assembly, electrical, and design hazards as well as different types of control measures. Moreover, the corresponding future directions for research are also identified. This knowledge equips practitioners with valuable insights into potential hazards that may jeopardise workers' H&S in MiC projects, simultaneously enhancing researchers' understanding of these hazards and control measures and enriching scholarly conversations on construction safety research.