D7-3 From the Point of a Tower Crane Operator's View: Use of an Eye-Tracker in Construction Sites

Abstract

The need for high-rise building constructions, large-scale apartment blocks, or construction in urban areas raised the number of tower crane use. For safe and efficient activities in construction sites; tower crane type selection, decision of tower crane location, decision of load type, load location, specified area, and their supply, securing equipment, also the work schedules and maintenance should carefully be planned. This study proposes a methodology to support accident management in construction sites where a single tower crane is used. Aim is to identify the risks during operations and rank the severity levels of the activities to avoid property damage and bodily injuries. Up to best knowledge, a mobile type eye-tracker is used for the first time to record the view of tower crane operator during operations. In the first step, operator is asked to wear the eye-tracker as a regular glasses and climb the operating cabin that is attached to the structure of the tower crane. Based on the video records, it is possible assess not only the guiderails, handholds, steps, and trap door but also the operating cabin interior design in terms of control unit locations, window panels. In the second step, the data collected during material handling operations is used to assess the location of loads, potential risks for the slinger who is responsible for attaching and detaching the load to and from the crane and the signaler who is responsible for relaying the signal from the slinger to the crane operator and directing the safe movement of the crane. The visual attention of the tower crane operator and working postures are evaluated. In the third step, the records when tower crane operator is descending the ladder of the tower are considered. Obtained data is interpreted as indicators of fatigue such as duration of fixation, number of fixation, and pupil size change. Data obtained from two construction sites (one constructed near the single building construction site and other between two buildings construction site) where one tower crane is used to test the hypothesis. Results illustrate that the location of tower crane have a significant effect on safe operations for the crane operator. Further comments are made based on the possible impacts of communication system, high visibility clothing, and weather conditions for an efficient accident management.