Integrating Safety and Circularity: A Protocol Framework for Material-reuse in Construction Workflows

Abstract

Introduction: The construction industry continues to face dual challenges of occupational hazards and unsustainable material consumption. While circular economy principles such as material reuse have gained momentum, their integration with construction safety protocols remains underdeveloped. Aims: This research aims to develop a practical and scalable protocol that integrates health and safety standards with circular construction practices. The specific objectives are: (1) to identify core safety risks associated with material recovery and reuse on construction sites; (2) to evaluate existing protocols that support safe deconstruction and material handling; and (3) to propose a unified framework that ensures worker safety while maximizing resource circularity. Study Design: This study follows a quantitative research study design. Methodology: A systematic bibliometric literature review was conducted using the Scopus database, analysing publications from 2014 to 2025 using keywords such as “construction safety”, “circular economy”, “material reuse”, “deconstruction”, and “occupational health”. PRISMA screening and VOSviewer tools were used to map trends and knowledge gaps across construction safety and circularity domains. Results: The findings reveal limited intersection between both fields, with only 9% of reviewed studies addressing them jointly. Conclusion: The study recommends a “Safety-Circular Integration Framework” (SCIF) comprising adaptive PPE guidance, standardized reusable material handling procedures, and embedded safety checks within circular workflows. This approach offers a dual pathway to reduce construction waste and improve on-site wellbeing, contributing to the sustainable transformation of the built environment.