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CIB Conferences

Abstract

Attention to workers’ safety, health, and well-being (SHW) in construction and engineering (particularly in developing countries) is growing gradually. Areas such as designing for safety (DfS) and mental health and wellbeing (MHW) remain under prioritised despite their potential to significantly enhance SHW. Using Egypt as a case study, this research investigates the challenges associated with DfS and MHW in the construction and engineering sector and explores industry skill and knowledge needs, and the roles of universities and industry in addressing these issues. Data were collected through focus group discussions and an industry panel involving university staff, practitioners, and students, and analysed thematically. The findings indicate that inadequate regulation and enforcement, weak safety culture, university related knowledge gaps, and self inflicted knowledge gaps are major barriers to implementing DfS and MHW. The industry emphasises the need for soft skills such as collaboration, risk management application, and technical competence and expects graduates to have practical experience in SHW. Stakeholders urge universities to integrate these topics into curricula and to strengthen industry engagement for practical experience. Although integrating DfS and MHW into academic programmes is challenging, incremental approaches, such as embedding DfS concepts into existing modules, are recommended. Universities should improve student well-being through spacing assessments.

Keywords

Safety and Health (SHW), Safety Culture, Risk Management Skills, Curriculum Development, Industry-University Collaboration

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