A Digital Framework for Integrating Construction Safety Training within Location-Based Schedules and Matching Trained Workers with Activities' Safety Needs

Abstract

The construction industry is unarguably one of the most dangerous industries contributing to a high percentage of work-related injuries and fatalities. The reasons behind such a dangerous working environment include but are not limited to unforeseen site-related hazards, lack of proper safety awareness and training, lack of proper safety planning, and the varying background and cultures of construction personnel. Several studies have focused on mitigating such dangers by studying the contributing and influencing factors. Other research efforts have focused on developing advanced digital frameworks and gaming tools to help train construction personnel. However, none of the previous works have developed an integrated and unified safety management framework that combines safety training, production planning, and construction resource allocation to promote safety on construction sites. As such, this research aims at creating a digital safety management framework that integrates safety training in location-based schedules then allocates safety trained workers to the tasks. The objective of this study is thereby three-fold: (1) pinpointing and adding safety-dependent activities and respective information onto location-based schedules, (2) adopting game engines as digital tools to assess and train construction workers on safety-related matters, and (3) designing two resource allocation methods to match trained workers with activities according to predefined safety-related criteria. Components of the complete framework were implemented for a case study project in Lebanon and results highlighted its potential in generating better safety-oriented project schedules and matching trained workers with activities’ safety needs for the purpose of enhancing safety on construction jobsites.