The validation of gait-stability metrics to assess construction workers' fall risk

Houtan Jebelli, Changbum R. Ahn, Terry L. Stentz

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

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

Falling from height is the top cause of injuries and fatalities in the construction industry. Understanding the fall risk at different work environment scan help to prevent fall accidents on a jobsite. While many previous studies attempted to assess the fall risk on a construction site, most of them are qualitative or subject to cognitive biases. In this context, this paper aims to introduce and validate a quantitative measure that allows researchers to characterize the fall risks of construction workers. In particular, this paper focuses on validating the fall risk predictive power of Maximum Lyapunov exponent (Max LE), which is one of the gait-stability metrics established in clinical settings. The kinematic data were collected using an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor attached to the right ankle of the subject performing different tasks. The Max LE for each tasks were then calculated based upon the IMU measurements. The results indicated a significant difference in the Max LE between different tasks, which indicates that Max LE has the potential to evaluate the dynamic stability of construction workers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationComputing in Civil and Building Engineering - Proceedings of the 2014 International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering
EditorsR. Raymond Issa, Ian Flood
PublisherAmerican Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Pages997-1004
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9780784413616
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014
Event2014 International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering - Orlando, United States
Duration: Jun 23 2014Jun 25 2014

Publication series

NameComputing in Civil and Building Engineering - Proceedings of the 2014 International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering

Other

Other2014 International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando
Period6/23/146/25/14

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Computer Science Applications
  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Building and Construction

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