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Purpose Construction accidents pose a persistent challenge, with workers’ safety behaviors critical to prevention. Although project managers are key decision-makers in fostering safety, the mechanisms through which they influence workers’ safety behaviors via site supervisors remain underexplored. To address this gap, this study introduces the concept of Project Manager-driven (PMd) safety climate, defined as shared safety perceptions shaped by project managers’ policies and attitudes. By examining its impact on supervisors’ safety motivation and intervention practices, and subsequently on workers’ safety behaviors, this research establishes a novel multilevel framework for safety management. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey was conducted at 53 construction sites, collecting data from 256 site supervisors and 1,026 construction workers. Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the data from both the supervisors and the workers. Findings The findings reveal that the PMd safety climate is significantly associated with supervisors’ safety motivation and the implementation of safety interventions. Moreover, safety interventions are positively associated with construction workers’ safety motivation and safety behaviors. Safety motivation serves as a mediating factor between the PMd safety climate and the safety interventions implemented by supervisors, as well as between the safety interventions and the safety behaviors demonstrated by workers. The emphasis placed by project managers on safety plays a pivotal role in fostering the safety behaviors of construction workers. Furthermore, the implementation of safety intervention measures by site supervisors serves as a crucial conduit for effectively conveying safety concepts to frontline workers. Originality/value The concept of the PMd safety climate is introduced for the first time, providing a novel perspective for assessing the importance project managers place on safety. Additionally, a multi-level model of influence on workers’ safety behavior was established for construction sites, outlining a hierarchy from project managers to site supervisors and then to construction workers, thus providing a reference framework for on-site safety management practices.