Dean of the Faculty of Built Environment at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Professor Emmanuel Adinyira, has called for a major rethink of Construction Health, Safety and Wellbeing (HSW).

He wants the global construction industry to move beyond its traditional focus on “People in Construction” to a broader concern for “People in and Affected by Construction.”

Speaking at the 2026 CIB W099/W123 & ICONS International Conference in Hanoi, hosted by Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, Prof. Adinyira delivered a thought-provoking keynote that challenged long-standing approaches to construction safety and wellbeing.

Addressing participants under the conference theme, “Empowering People, Protecting the Planet, Unlocking Possibilities,” Prof. Adinyira argued that construction HSW must no longer be limited to workers and professionals on project sites, but should also include the wider communities affected by construction activities.

In his keynote presentation titled, “What if HSW didn’t stop at the site gate?” he advocated for a transformation in HSW research, training, and industry practice.

He stressed that every construction project should not only drive development but also educate, empower, and protect surrounding communities.

“Construction HSW must evolve from a site-based responsibility to a societal obligation,” he emphasized, describing the proposed shift as both necessary and urgent in the face of growing urbanization and infrastructure development worldwide.