MACHINE LEARNING APPLICATIONS FOR MONITORING CONSTRUCTION HEALTH AND SAFETY LEGISLATION AND COMPLIANCE

Author(s):  
Mohlomi Terah Raliile ◽  
Theodore Conrad Haupt

The construction industry has, for many years, been subject to stringent health and safety legislation for the protection of workers and the public. To ensure compliance, firms must invest a great deal in resources. However, with different legislative requirements, deadlines, and fragmentation, it is easy to overlook something or implement wrong frameworks. This study aims to investigate the applications of unsupervised machine learning (ML) on monitoring health and safety legislation and compliance on construction sites. The paper provides a systematic and comprehensive review of literature from previous studies on ML applications in construction between the years 2005-2020. A literature search from online databases was conducted using keywords. A two-step literature filtration process was used to obtain relevant publications to meet the selection criteria. The findings of the study suggest that, as technology advances shaping the future of workplace safety, ML can be used to monitor compliance and set out recommendations for future standardizations in construction. Adopting ML in the can be used to process masses of information at better speeds and accuracy to make decisions and identify anomalies that would not have been identified by humans, improving compliance. This study presents the first attempt on the applications of ML for monitoring health and safety legislation and compliance on construction sites. Future research proposes to develop a tool for contractors to use to monitor compliance.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Opeyemi Samuel Williams ◽  
Razali Adul Hamid ◽  
Mohd Saidin Misnan

Construction industry is recognized and best described as an accident-prone industry, being characterized with a plethora of occupational risks. Review of literature on construction accidents revealed that a copious number of theories have been propounded over the years by different theorists, though some of these theories were criticized. In addition to this were the multifarious models developed by different proponents at different times. However, accidents are an unplanned event that are common on the building construction sites, involving materials, objects and people with attendant damages, loses and injuries. Moreover, existing models were developed to investigate the causations of accident with the aim of preventing its occurrence. Effort to analyze the existing models, with criticism in view, was the aim of this research, which was accomplished by pointing out the limitations of applicability of the models and ascertaining the need for an improved model. A major gap was discovered, in that most of these models concentrated on accident causations and investigations with little or no emphasis on preventive measures via the duties of the construction stakeholders (client, consultant, contractor, health and safety agency) at the preconstruction and during construction stages. Having considered the strengths and weaknesses of the existing models, it was discovered that another, but improved, model was needed and such model will consequently enable construction stakeholders in putting up and implementing accident preventive measures on the building construction sites, as all stakeholders have significant roles to play in preventing accident.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Opeyemi Samuel Williams ◽  
Razali Adul Hamid ◽  
Mohd Saidin Misnan

Construction industry is recognized and best described as an accident-prone industry, being characterized with a plethora of occupational risks. Review of literature on construction accidents revealed that a copious number of theories have been propounded over the years by different theorists, though some of these theories were criticized. In addition to this were the multifarious models developed by different proponents at different times. However, accidents are an unplanned event that are common on the building construction sites, involving materials, objects and people with attendant damages, loses and injuries. Moreover, existing models were developed to investigate the causations of accident with the aim of preventing its occurrence. Effort to analyze the existing models, with criticism in view, was the aim of this research, which was accomplished by pointing out the limitations of applicability of the models and ascertaining the need for an improved model. A major gap was discovered, in that most of these models concentrated on accident causations and investigations with little or no emphasis on preventive measures via the duties of the construction stakeholders (client, consultant, contractor, health and safety agency) at the preconstruction and during construction stages. Having considered the strengths and weaknesses of the existing models, it was discovered that another, but improved, model was needed and such model will consequently enable construction stakeholders in putting up and implementing accident preventive measures on the building construction sites, as all stakeholders have significant roles to play in preventing accident. Available online at https://int-scientific-journals.com


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 203-219
Author(s):  
Yulu Pi

The unprecedented increase in computing power and data availability has signifi-cantly altered the way and the scope that organizations make decisions relying on technologies. There is a conspicuous trend that organizations are seeking the use of frontier technologies with the purpose of helping the delivery of services and making day-to-day operational deci-sions. Machine learning (ML) is the fastest growing and at the same time, the most debated and controversial of these technologies. Although there is a great deal of research in the literature related to machine learning applications, most of them focus on the technical aspects or pri-vate sector use. The governmental machine learning applications suffer the lack of theoretical and empirical studies and unclear governance framework. This paper reviews the literature on the use of machine learning by government, aiming to identify the benefits and challenges of wider adoption of machine learning applications in the public sector and to propose the direc-tions for future research.


2008 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 539-542
Author(s):  
Jeremy Rickards

Human Factors Engineering is an interdisciplinary science concerned with the effect of work on the human body and its relationship to the workplace. Since the 1970s, UNB – Forest Engineering has been a major contributor to teaching and research in this discipline, and in its application to forest operations. Rapid advances in mechanized tree-harvesting systems resulted in significant new workplace issues for operator health, safety, and machine design. Researchers responded by creating a CSA standard, working cooperatively with FERIC, CPPA and more recently the CWF, and founding the International Journal of Forest Engineering, which is a unique source for research results and developments in this discipline. Future research will involve multi-national teams of Human Factors Engineers, supported by related disciplines in healthcare and engineering. Key words: human factors, forest engineering, workplace health, workplace safety, mechanized forest operations


2015 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurul Azita Salleh ◽  
Faizatul Akmar Abdul Nifa ◽  
Muhammad Nazrin Shah Zakaria ◽  
Norazah Mohd Nordin ◽  
Abdul Khalim Abdul Rashid

IM-SmartSAFETY is an application developed as a medium for delivering contents to foreign workers in response to language problem in Health and Safety Induction Course (HSIC). It is a compulsory initial course for all workers including local and foreign workers and professionals before entering into construction sites. In ensuring IM-SmartSAFETY meets the objective of the course, learning theories, particularly constructivism, social, and minimalism, have been applied along the development process. In accordance, this paper discusses the importance of applying learning theories in the IM-SmartSAFETY. Constructivism theory is important in IM-SmartSAFETY because it supports the creation of new knowledge through creative and critical thinking based on the existing knowledge while solving problems in existing cases. Meanwhile through social theory, emphasis on cognitive is deeper than on physical behavior in which visual representation of positive and negative behavior could be imitated. It also promotes social interaction among the peers and between the trainees and the trainers through activities provided in the application. Further, minimalism theory is important because it ensures the application is appealing in terms arrangement of text, information, graphic, color, and audio so that they never confuse the foreign workers, but make them understand.


Author(s):  
Alazzaz Faisal ◽  
Andrew Whyte

The construction industry is a high-risk commercial sector. As such, concerns regarding performance, waste, health and safety, insurance, legal/budgetary and cost compliances, and client satisfaction levels are an ongoing challenge. An increasing area of focus is human resources and, in particular, productivity. In place of traditional approaches to dealing with employee performance concerns, better job design and work systems are increasingly being seen as essential in alleviating poor employee/ independent-contractor performance. Academic research on employee empowerment in the construction industry has so far been limited and/or haphazard, despite advocates presenting it as a means to deal with worker dissatisfaction, absenteeism, turnover, poor quality work, and sabotage. This paper reviews the literature concerning the utility of employee empowerment in the construction industry, with particular emphasis on its practical benefits. The aim is to provide direction for future research and development in the construction and civil engineering fields.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilyn D Thomas ◽  
Ellicott C Matthay ◽  
Kate A Duchowny ◽  
Alicia R Riley ◽  
Harmon Khela ◽  
...  

COVID-19 mortality disproportionately affected specific occupations and industries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) protects the health and safety of workers by setting and enforcing standards for working conditions. Workers may file OSHA complaints about unsafe conditions. Complaints may indicate poor workplace safety during the pandemic. We evaluated COVID-19-related complaints filed with California (Cal)/OSHA between January 1, 2020 and December 14, 2020 across seven industries. To assess whether workers in occupations with high COVID-19-related mortality were also most likely to file Cal/OSHA complaints, we compared industry-specific per-capita COVID-19 confirmed deaths from the California Department of Public Health with COVID-19-related complaints. Although 7,820 COVID-19-related complaints were deemed valid by Cal/OSHA, only 627 onsite inspections occurred and 32 citations were issued. Agricultural workers had the highest per-capita COVID-19 death rates (402 per 100,000 workers) but were least represented among workplace complaints (44 per 100,000 workers). Health Care workers had the highest complaint rates (81 per 100,000 workers) but the second lowest COVID-19 death rate (81 per 100,000 workers). Industries with the highest inspection rates also had high COVID-19 mortality. Our findings suggest complaints are not proportional to COVID-19 risk. Instead, higher complaint rates may reflect worker groups with greater empowerment, resources, or capacity to advocate for better protections. This capacity to advocate for safe workplaces may account for relatively low mortality rates in potentially high-risk occupations. Future research should examine factors determining worker complaints and complaint systems to promote participation of those with the greatest need of protection.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jimoh R.A. ◽  
◽  
Oyewobi L.O. ◽  
Uthman N.L. ◽  
Ibrahim K. ◽  
...  

Many countries have put in place policies and legislation to reduce accidents and diseases on construction sites though having varied degree of comprehensiveness, the extent of implementation, will and capacity of enforcement. In spite of these efforts, it has been revealed that the increase in the rate of unsafe acts and rate of fatalities in the construction industry is significant due to poor safety culture. Hence, this study assessed the level of health and safety (H&S) culture in construction firms in Abuja by self-administering a total of 152 questionnaires on H&S issues to construction professionals. It included Builders, Quantity Surveyors, Architects, Civil Engineers, and Project Managers/supervisors who were involved in construction works. The data obtained were analysed using percentages and mean scores. It was discovered that despite the increasing growth in the construction firms in Nigeria, the H&S culture practice in construction firms is highly fragmented and poorly implemented. It is recommended among others that there should be high commitment from the top of organisations which will in turn produce higher level of motivation and commitment throughout the organisations.


2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 499-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romuald A. Rwamamara ◽  
Ove Lagerqvist ◽  
Thomas Olofsson ◽  
Bo M. Johansson ◽  
Kazys Algirdas Kaminskas

Many construction work tasks are physically very strenuous and the incidence of work‐related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among construction workers is considerably higher than those in most other occupations. The aim of the study presented in this paper was to contribute to understanding a healthy construction site brought about by the best practices implemented by large construction sites to prevent WMSDs. A triangulation method made of interviews, site observations and studies on company's documents was used to identify the best practices in 13 several construction projects. A range of the best practices both in the pre‐construction and construction phases of the projects were identified in six different areas of the balance of the construction workplace system; however, there seems to be a significant need for good practices in the management of a systematic work environment. It is now established that Swedish construction industry has several best practices to protect work‐related musculoskeletal health. However, inadequate worker participation and the neglect of health and safety issues by designers in the planning process as well as the implications of some remuneration methods on the production schedule were perceived as detrimental to the musculoskeletal health of construction workers. Santrauka Daug statybos darbu yra fiziškai labai itempti, o su darbu susijusiu raumenu ir skeleto sistemos pažeidimu dažnis tarp statybininku yra kur kas aukštesnis negu tarp daugelio kitu profesiju. Šio tyrimo tikslas – pletoti supratima apie sveikatos būkle ir jos svarba dirbant statybu aikštelese, igyvendinant didelius statybos objektus, siekiant išvengti su darbu susijusiu raumenu ir skeleto sistemos pažeidimu. Tyrimams buvo taikytas interviu, pagristas trianguliacijos metodu, darbo procesu stebejimo statybos aikštelese metodas, buvo nagrineti statybos kompaniju dokumentai, siekiant identifikuoti 13 skirtingu statybos projektu. Geriausia praktika, prieš pradedant statybas ir jau statant, buvo nustatyta šešiuose skirtinguose statybu regionuose, tačiau tokia praktika yra svarbi darbo aplinkos vadyboje. Pripažinta, kad Švedijos statybos pramoneje taikomi keli būdai, kaip apsaugoti statybininkus nuo raumenu ir skeleto sistemos pažeidimu. Vis delto mažas darbininku domejimasis šia problema, sveikatos bei saugos problemu nepaisymas planavimo procese, kai kuriu atsilyginimo būdu itraukimas i gamybos veiksniu saraša buvo vertinti kaip faktoriai, žalingai veikiantys statybininku raumenu ir skeleto sistema.


Author(s):  
Neeti Sangwan ◽  
Vishal Bhatnagar

In Big Data analysis, the application of machine learning has proven to be a revolutionary. The systematic review of literature shows that research has been carried out on the domain of big data analytics particularly text analytics with the inclusion of machine learning approaches. This extensive survey deals with the data at hand that provides different ways and issues while combining the machine learning approaches with the text. During the course of the survey, various publications in the field of synchronous application of machine learning in text analytics were searched and studied. Classification framework is proposed as the contribution of machine learning in text analytics. A classification framework represented the various application areas to motivate researchers for future research on the application of two emerging technologies.


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