Do Projects of Different Sizes Face Differences in Safety-Critical Complexities? Empirical Evidence from Implications for the Construction Sector of India

The existing literature emphasizes developing safety recommendations specific to small, medium, and large construction projects' unique needs. Research has also shown that enhanced complexities can negatively affect the safety performance of construction projects. However, whether projects of different sizes perceive complexities differently has not been examined empirically in the existing literature. To address the gap, the current study examines how differently sized construction projects perceive the technical, organizational, and environmental complexities while managing safety. An existing survey was adapted, and 180 responses were obtained from practitioners across small, medium, and large construction projects. The findings reveal that most complexities are perceived as critical throughout the industry, and the perception of technical, organizational, and environmental complexities differs within projects of different sizes. The study's findings significantly advance understanding of the safety-critical complexities confronting projects of varying sizes and aid in developing safety improvement recommendations tailored to their specific needs.