Sensibuildity: The design of a communication system to identify and prevent work-related injuries in the construction industry

Mohammad Alsager Alzayed, Eduardo Castro E Costa, Pratik Agarwal, Sai Kakarlamudi, Sven G. Bilén, Scarlett Miller

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Up to 14 billion dollars are spent in the construction industry annually as a result of work-related injuries. The current study was developed in an effort to minimize the costs associated with these short- and long-term injuries through the use of wearable technologies and a two-phase study that included 13 semi-structured interviews and a usability investigation with 12 participants. Through the user interviews, a system was developed that includes a wearable vibration feedback mechanism that alerts users of postures that impose a risk of incurring musculoskeletal disorders and a smartphone application that reports on their postures. The results of the usability investigation showed that the solution is perceived to be more informative and engaging in enhancing safety awareness than existing practices. The results of this study display the need and effectiveness of incorporating wearable technologies as a means of providing effective feedback to construction workers and, hence, mitigate the risks of incurring work-related injuries.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication62nd Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, HFES 2018
PublisherHuman Factors and Ergonomics Society Inc.
Pages1631-1635
Number of pages5
ISBN (Electronic)9781510889538
StatePublished - 2018
Event62nd Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, HFES 2018 - Philadelphia, United States
Duration: Oct 1 2018Oct 5 2018

Publication series

NameProceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
Volume3
ISSN (Print)1071-1813

Conference

Conference62nd Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, HFES 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPhiladelphia
Period10/1/1810/5/18

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Human Factors and Ergonomics

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