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KUWAIT CITY, Feb 25: Kuwait and the Gulf region are seeing significant expansion in the construction sector, with the former pushing large-scale projects, such as housing expansions to meet national demand and other infrastructure projects to improve transport links across the region. In 2026 alone, the sector will likely grow by up to 6%, aligning with a stable, long-term development plan.

As part of Kuwait's "Vision 2035", large-scale developments will be central to the country's growth policies. However, undertaking such ambitious projects also poses increased health and safety risks to workers.

While recent investigations into building conditions in Kuwait City underline the country's commitment to high health and safety standards, scaling to meet needs using traditionally reactive health and safety policies could pose challenges for site administrators. Leaders may need to reconsider their approach to help ensure worker protection.

Kuwait's push to build entirely new cities to become a leading regional player in finance and trade will certainly see a significant influx of workers, equipment and construction site expansions over the next decade. Given that the construction industry is widely considered the most hazardous worldwide, site administrators will need to account for increased health and safety risks when undertaking ambitious large-scale projects.

The growing risks to site safety include surface hazards, inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE), falls and misuse of heavy machinery. Hazardous chemicals and airborne particles can also pose a significant threat to workers, particularly on larger, more active worksites.

Site administrators and supervisors may consider reevaluating health and safety infrastructure to be more preventive, addressing the scaling risks and threats associated with large-scale projects. With more workers and equipment operating across large construction sites, contractors will need to promote a sterner safety culture through regulations and regular inspections.

However, where resources are limited to address rapid growth, organizations will require scalable, flexible solutions to meet the health and safety needs of large-scale developments. Technology can help make the transition to a more preventive safety environment to meet those targets.

Today's large-scale construction environment emphasizes three emerging technologies to help shape a more preventive approach that adapts to evolving safety needs. Those include video security cameras, smart sensors and access control systems.

Video cameras, assisted by artificial intelligence (AI), can help identify any unusual activity or incorrect procedures. Smart sensors can help detect anomalies in perimeter or environmental conditions. Access control helps ensure that only accredited personnel can enter areas requiring specific training or equipment.

Applying these technologies to worksites is about increasing visibility and response time to potential incidents, rather than reacting after they occur. Combining the hardware can help create a scalable, comprehensive security system that adapts to expanding site safety needs and helps security teams identify and respond to potential incidents faster and more accurately.

Specifically, managing authorization in large-scale developments can be a frontrunner in supporting inspections, improving site security and helping mitigate the risk of accidents and injuries. The number of incidents caused by incorrect PPE use, inadequate training or exposure to hazardous materials underscores the need for more stringent access controls as work sites grow.

A recent incident at a construction site in the Shuwaikh Industrial Area reaffirmed the need to strengthen site safety through preventive technology. While the response to a worker's fall was handled appropriately by the relevant authorities and emergency services, the event highlighted the increased risks posed by expanding construction sites throughout Kuwait.

Building new cities as part of Vision 2035 will see sites evolve in both size and complexity, meaning that different sites will require workers of different skills, knowledge, expertise and equipment. Site administrators and supervisors will need to leverage preventive technologies to ensure only certified personnel can enter areas requiring qualifications, reducing the risk of accidents or injuries.

Advanced access control, when paired with visitor management systems (VMS), will play a key role in managing authorization as worksites rapidly expand. Security teams can manage credentials for worksite personnel, granting or revoking authorization to areas that require specific certifications.

The hardware can help improve site security by enabling the system's biometric or wireless entry functions, offering a more accurate way to identify workers. Layering access control measures with video security and smart sensors can reduce the likelihood of unauthorized personnel entering restricted areas, including checking for incorrect PPE.

Kuwait's large-scale development plans require rapid growth in construction sites to help achieve goals set out in the government's vision. While the country has the resources and drive to make the projects succeed, more health and safety risks will emerge from significantly expanded site activity.

However, the large-scale projects offer an opportunity to implement solutions that not only improve site safety but also boost efficiency and productivity. Preventive technologies, such as access control, can help address safety concerns by strengthening authorization controls and fostering a more effective inspection culture.

At a February 2026 cabinet meeting, the government reiterated its commitment to urban planning and regulatory solutions to ensure workers' health and safety while meeting project targets. As a result, we're likely to see site security improve through the implementation of preventive measures for large-scale developments.