BIM-based smart safety monitoring system using a mobile app: a case study in an ongoing construction site
Abstract
Purpose
Construction safety is a crucial aspect that has far-reaching impacts on economic development. But safety monitoring is often reliant on labor-based observations, which can be prone to errors and result in numerous fatalities annually. This study aims to address this issue by proposing a cloud-building information modeling (BIM)-based framework to provide real-time safety monitoring on construction sites to enhance safety practices and reduce fatalities.
Design/methodology/approach
This system integrates an automated safety tracking mobile app to detect hazardous locations on construction sites, a cloud-based BIM system for visualization of worker tracking on a virtual construction site and a Web interface to visualize and monitor site safety.
Findings
The study’s results indicate that implementing a comprehensive automated safety monitoring approach is feasible and suitable for general indoor construction site environments. Furthermore, the assessment of an advanced safety monitoring system has been successfully implemented, indicating its potential effectiveness in enhancing safety practices in construction sites.
Practical implications
By using this system, the construction industry can prevent accidents and fatalities, promote the adoption of new technologies and methods with minimal effort and cost and improve safety outcomes and productivity. This system can reduce workers’ compensation claims, insurance costs and legal penalties, benefiting all stakeholders involved.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study represents the first attempt in Bangladesh to develop a mobile app-based technological solution aimed at reforming construction safety culture by using BIM technology. This has the potential to change the construction sector’s attitude toward accepting new technologies and cultures through its convenient choice of equipment.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express their appreciation to all those who supported this study in numerous ways. The author also thanks the KUET authority for granting permission to conduct this study at their construction site and all those who participated in the field test as volunteers.
Citation
Hossain, M.M., Ahmed, S., Anam, S.M.A., Baxramovna, I.A., Meem, T.I., Sobuz, M.H.R. and Haq, I. (2023), "BIM-based smart safety monitoring system using a mobile app: a case study in an ongoing construction site", Construction Innovation, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-11-2022-0296
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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