An Embedded Sensory System for Worker Safety: Prototype Development and Evaluation

Abstract

At a construction site, workers mainly rely on two senses, which are sight and sound, in order to perceive their physical surroundings. However, they are often hindered by the nature of most construction sites, which are usually dynamic, loud, and complicated. To overcome these challenges, this research explored a method using an embedded sensory system that might offer construction workers an artificial sensing ability to better perceive their surroundings. This study identified three parameters (i.e., intensity, signal length, and delay between consecutive pulses) needed for tactile-based signals for the construction workers to communicate quickly. We developed a prototype system based on these parameters, conducted experimental studies to quantify and validate the sensitivity of the parameters for quick communication, and analyzed test data to reveal what was added by this method in order to perceive information from the tactile signals. The findings disclosed that the parameters of tactile-based signals and their distinguishable ranges could be perceived in a short amount of time (i.e., a fraction of a second). Further experimentation demonstrated the capability of the identified unit signals combined with a signal mapping technique to effectively deliver simple information to individuals and offer an additional sense of awareness to the surroundings. The findings of this study could serve as a basis for future research in exploring advanced tactile-based messages to overcome challenges in environments for which communication is a struggle.

Augmented Hearing of Auditory Safety Cues for Construction Workers: A Systematic Literature Review

“…However, most existing technologies are to support hazard sensing based on data that are different from audio signals. For example, Cho and Park [ 100 ] developed a tactile-based communication system to support equipment proximity detection. A similar tactile-based wearable device was recently developed and tested by Sakhakarmi et al, [ 101 ].…”

Investigation of Tactile Sensory System Configuration for Construction Hazard Perception

“…Thus, the test participants were confused because of the fluctuation in vibration intensity that sometimes occurred during the test period. Such fluctuations might be problematic if a communication language is developed based on varying vibration intensities to indicate different information, as discussed by Cho and Park [59]. Therefore, it is suggested to use motors with lower fluctuation in rated speed.…”

“…These developments have demonstrated the feasibility of using such a tactile-based application to enhance the sensing capability of construction workers to detect surrounding hazards. In response to the problem of construction safety, Cho and Park [59] developed a prototype tactile sensory system and investigated signal parameters in hope to provide an artificial sensing ability to improve the perception capability of workers. Their study mainly focused on investigating three basic signal parameters—signal intensity, signal duration, and duration between signals—to build basic language parameters for construction safety applications.…”

An IoT-Based Mobile System for Safety Monitoring of Lone Workers

“…With [7], Haibo Li proposes to use RFID tags and readers to make port workers aware when they are in a dangerous zone, as within an operating area of a crane. In [8], the authors propose a prototype for a wearable tactile sensory system to warn the construction workers about potential dangers. Notifications are sent by a tactile language system.…”

“…This first grouping refers to IoT solutions, which use wireless sensors and communicate data to a remote server. Papers [5][6][7][8][9][10][11] are included in this category. They mainly claim to address the issue of warning workers when some environmental parameters or their position indicate a potential imminent risk.…”