The primary objective of Wellbe4OSH is to deepen knowledge regarding the relationship between management practices, well-being, occupational safety and health, and organizational performance in the construction sector, by developing an evidence-based, prevention-oriented intervention model.
The project also aims to support companies in the early identification of psychosocial risk factors and in the implementation of innovative solutions with measurable impact on workers’ health, the reduction of occupational accidents, increased productivity, and the strengthening of corporate social responsibility.
Wellbe4OSH further adopts a perspective of the organization as a living system, grounded in fundamental structural principles, namely belonging, hierarchy, and balance. It recognizes that clarity of roles, responsibilities, and hierarchical relationships, combined with a sense of belonging and balanced organizational dynamics, constitutes a critical factor for psychological well-being, occupational safety, and health. This systemic approach enables an integrated understanding of the human, organizational, and relational factors that influence the functioning of organizations in the construction sector.
In the first phase, a sectoral survey will be conducted using structured research methodologies and digital tools. The central instrument will be based on the World Health Organization’s Healthy Workplaces model, with appropriate adaptations, previously validated within the scope of LABPATS. This instrument demonstrates psychometric robustness and theoretical relevance, enabling a systematic assessment of healthy work environments and the monitoring of organizational policies.
In the third phase, the information obtained will be compiled and analyzed in order to characterize the management practices, needs, and psychosocial risks of construction professionals in Portugal.
In a second phase, data will be collected through an online survey to be completed by employees, with an estimated response time of approximately 15 minutes:
In the final phase, at various points in time, the available information will be disseminated at the levels of research and intervention, and scientific and professional events (e.g., workshops, meetings, conferences) will be organized or supported.
The project will initially be tested through a pilot study in a large-scale development, ensuring the validation of methodologies and the transferability of results to other companies and sectors of activity. The pilot study will actively engage leadership at different hierarchical levels within the organization, recognizing their direct impact on team well-being, safety culture, and organizational performance.
Wellbe4OSH is grounded in the principles of equity and inclusion, social innovation, and social and emotional sustainability, and is developed by a multidisciplinary team with expertise in Civil Engineering, Organizational Management, and Psychology.
The expected outcomes include the production of relevant scientific evidence; improvements in working conditions and in occupational safety and health; a reduction in psychosocial risks and workplace accidents; increased satisfaction and sense of belonging; enhanced capacity to retain and attract human resources, with a corresponding increase in performance and productivity; greater worker motivation and productivity; and the strengthening of social responsibility, competitiveness, and sustainability within organizations in the construction sector.