Real-time safety technologies in the construction industry : A study of current state and challenges

Abstract: The high injury rate in the construction sector is one of the sector's biggest issues. The advancement of digitalization has provided new opportunities to enhance safety within the construction industry, through a connected construction site, where all devices and systems are interconnected and can communicate with each other, it is possible to use technology to identify and alert of hazards and accidents, ultimately helping to avoid and minimize incidents on the construction site. In this research, the focus was on real-time safety technologies in the construction industry. The objective of this study was to examine the use and implementation of real-time safety technologies in the construction industry and the attitude and perspectives of industry professionals towards these technologies. A literature review of topics such as construction 4.0, safety in construction, and the applications of technologies for safety in construction was conducted. This review encompasses research on the potential of various technologies for improving safety on construction sites and the factors that influence the adoption of technology, as well as the privacy and integrity issues arising from the implementation of monitoring technologies. In the next stage, data was collected through semi-structured interviews with seven industry professionals. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis and compared with the theoretical background established in the literature review. In the study it was found that the use of digital technologies to enhance safety on construction sites is still in its early stages, except for a few larger projects where these methods have been tested it is not generally employed. In the study, specific technologies and solutions were identified as having great potential for use on construction sites to increase safety, such as IoT and sensor technology or computer vision. The interview data showed that many industry professionals see the value of these technologies in increasing awareness of safety hazards and creating a safer work environment. Despite the potential benefits, the construction industry has yet to fully embrace digital safety technologies. Findings from this study suggest that there is a lack of knowledge among construction professionals about what technologies are available and the potential benefits of using them, leading to a slow widespread use of these technologies in the industry. It seems that safety on construction sites is an important but unmet need within the industry, and that there is a desire to use digital methods to increase safety, but there is no clear plan on how to achieve this goal. Instead, the focus seems to be on small solutions, rather than a cohesive and comprehensive technology. Findings from this study suggest that larger construction companies have begun to find their collaborative partners. However, it seems that a successful model has not yet been established, which have hindered construction companies from more actively pursuing development.