A systematic review of hazard recognition and risk perception research in the construction industry

Hazard recognition and risk perception (HRRP) significantly contribute to construction workers’ risky behavior at work, guiding the development of effective safety management strategies. Research in this area spans various topics such as safety climate, risk-taking behavior, and safety training, presenting a diverse field of study. To provide an overview, we analyzed 232 HRRP articles published during the period from 2000 to May 2024 in Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect using bibliometrics and mapping knowledge domain approaches. This analysis identified three stages of research evolution: from early studies on accidents and behavior, to more focused HRRP investigations, and later expanding to broader safety considerations, including the integration of advanced technologies. Key publication sources include the Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, Safety Science, and Automation in Construction, contributing over 49% of total publications. China and the United States collectively contributed 71.55% of publications, with Tsinghua University leading in publications and North Carolina State University excelling in knowledge dissemination. Hong Kong Polytechnic University and King Saud University showed notable cooperation and citation performance. Influential scholars such as Albert, A., Li, H., and Alabdulkarim, S.A., are prominent in the field, demonstrating strong collaboration and citation impact. The co-occurrence network of author keywords revealed primary clusters focused on HRRP measurements, influential factors, risk-taking behavior impacts, and safety management. Future research directions include exploring failure mechanisms in HRRP, developing worker-centered safety training, advancing automated hazard identification, and expanding HRRP studies in developing countries. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd