Investigating the impact of emerging technologies on construction safety performance

Abstract

PurposeConstruction safety is heavily affected by using new technologies in this growing trend of technology adoption. Especially, safety performance is enhanced through the utilization of some effective technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, BIM and wearable devices. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of emerging technologies on construction safety performance and quantify the relationship between those. The proposed components of emerging technologies are BIM, GIS, VR, RFID, AI, ML, eye tracking and serious games and wearable devices, whereas the dimensions of construction safety performance are safety planning, safety training, safety inspection and monitoring, safety audits and reviews and safety leadership.Design/methodology/approachA structural model was composed consisting of emerging technologies and safety performance indicators. Then, a questionnaire was designed and administered to construction professionals, and data from 167 projects were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The data were analyzed by using software, called SPSS AMOS.FindingsThe analysis of the structural model proves that there is a positive and significant relationship between emerging technologies and construction safety performance. Moreover, the factor loadings for each factor were found to be high indicating a good representation of the construct by the components developed. Among the technologies, BIM, robotics and automation, AI and wearable devices were detected to be the most significant technologies in terms of impacting safety performance.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the body of knowledge in that it develops a conceptual framework consisting of specific technologies in terms of emerging technologies, reveals the impact of such technologies on safety performance and proposes several tools and strategies for enabling effective safety management along the project lifecycle. Industry practitioners may benefit from the framework developed by adopting such technologies to enhance their safety performance on construction projects.

Virtual reality: A review and a new framework for integrated adoption

“…The construction industry appeared to be one of the top industries referring to VR. The integration of VR in the construction field may aid in design visualization (i.e., providing the opportunity for designers to be immersed in their designs and make changes in real‐time), education and training, and remote collaboration (see Badamasi et al, 2022; Balali et al, 2020; Beh et al, 2022; Carreira et al, 2018; Davila Delgado et al, 2020; Dobrucali et al, 2022; Du et al, 2018; Fernandes et al, 2006; Getuli et al, 2021, 2022; Gu & London, 2010; Guray & Kismet, 2023; Han et al, 2006; Jacobsen et al, 2022; Ji et al, 2023; Omar & Mahdjoubi, 2022; Paes et al, 2021; Prabhakaran et al, 2022; Yan et al, 2022; Zhang et al, 2022).…”

“…Another emerging trend is the use of VR for specialized occupational training. A considerable body of research is coalescing around the theme of on‐site safety training in construction, where VR has been proven to elevate safety metrics and overall performance (e.g., Dobrucali et al, 2022; Getuli et al, 2021; Guray & Kismet, 2023; Jacobsen et al, 2022; Ji et al, 2023; Yan et al, 2022; Zhang et al, 2022). Moreover, in specialized training programs such as aviation, there is a growing use of VR simulations to help pilots confront and manage their fear of heights, further enriching their training experiences and enhancing mental preparedness (e.g., Desai et al, 2014).…”

Transforming construction health and safety management during COVID-19 pandemic using innovative technologies: PLS-SEM approach

“…The innovations introduced during the Industry 4.0 era constitute a major benefaction in construction safety management (Yap et al, 2022a, b;Zhou et al, 2013). Recently, Dobrucali et al (2022) composed a structural model of emerging technologies and safety performance indicators to reveal that construction safety performance is positively and significantly associated with the utilization of some effective emerging technologies. In another study, Forcina and Falcone's (2021) systematic literature review on Industry 4.0 enabling technologies revealed that technological transformation in construction safety management significantly developed a higher competency level as compared with the conventional approach.…”

Suitability Study of Using UAVs to Estimate Landfilled Fly Ash Stockpile

“…This technology is extensively used to estimate the volume of completed works and to determine the site’s progress [ 5 ]. BIM can enhance construction safety performance with its collaborative and cooperative environment and information-sharing mechanism [ 6 ]. To conduct a volumetric analysis of stockpiles, the three-dimensional (3-D) method is a more prevalent and advanced way [ 3 ].…”

“…A statistical analysis of the results showed that UAVs and TLSs are similar, especially in an undisturbed canopy, and different in smoothness and preciseness. UAVs were found to generate smooth data and were less precise than TLSs [ 6 ]. Similarly, Cunha et al [ 17 ] investigated the suitability and accuracy of drones and laser scanners in a sizeable outdoor crime scene at a parking lot in Brazil.…”