Anna-Lisa Osvalder

Human Factors in Construction Automation — A Systems Perspective

As robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) become increasingly integrated into the construction industry, the roles of human workers are shifting from manual labour to supervisory, analytical, and decision-making functions. While these technologies offer significant benefits in terms of efficiency and safety, they also introduce new and complex risks — including overreliance on automation, interface design flaws, skill mismatches, and psychosocial stressors.

This presentation explores these challenges through the lens of the HTO framework (Human–Technology–Organisation), which emphasizes the interdependence of human, technological, and organizational factors in safety-critical environments. By applying this systems-thinking approach, we highlight how emerging risks often arise at the intersections of these domains and propose strategies for designing resilient, human-centred construction systems. The goal is to support human strengths, mitigate limitations, and foster a proactive safety culture in an increasingly automated industry.