Construction safety remains a critical challenge in developing countries due to rapid urbanization, a lack of resources and monitoring capacity. Leveraging advances in digital technologies, the Internet of Things (IoT) has emerged as a promising tool to enhance safety performance through data collection and intelligent monitoring. Despite its global potential, the practical application of IoT-driven solutions in construction safety management within developing countries remains limited. Therefore, this study proposes an innovative, smart IoT-driven construction safety management approach to improve the construction industry in developing nations. First, a comprehensive literature review identifies the advantages and barriers influencing IoT-driven applications. After that, an IoT-driven construction safety management approach is developed to adapt advanced technology in construction sites. Finally, an industry expert survey assesses the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed approach. Preliminary findings indicate that the proposed approach has the potential to enhance safety performance by enabling safety planning and control in construction sites. The study provides both theoretical contributions and practical insights to support the digital transformation of safety management practices in developing countries.