Exploring the thermal conditions in construction sites through IoT based methodologies

Abstract

Despite improvements in reducing the rate of injuries to construction workers, the construction industry remains a high-risk industry. Working conditions in construction sites frequently pose heat hazards and presents uncontrolled heat risks. Technological solutions that generate early warnings have the potential to improve health and safety. However, little research has been done in the construction industry. The Smart Safety Vest system is proposed as an ‘internet of things’ (IoT) solution in construction sites. The system development has followed a series of technology readiness levels and construction site testing. This paper reports on the early preliminary data analysis on the validity and usability of the system in actual construction sites. Real-time monitoring of constructions sites via portable weather stations were conducted. Specifically, this paper presents the evaluation of the thermal conditions of four residential construction project sites. The environmental data collected in four residential construction project sites are quantitatively analysed which set the context for the further reporting of analysis of the smart vest data from construction workers. The initial results obtained during extremely hot summer conditions are used to derive recommendations. It presents the viability of an integral part of the real-time monitored future pervasive construction sites.