Safety enablers using emerging technologies in construction projects: empirical study in Malaysia
Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology
ISSN: 1726-0531
Article publication date: 22 September 2021
Issue publication date: 8 November 2023
Abstract
Purpose
High rate of accidents continue to plague the construction industry. The advancements in safety technologies can ameliorate construction health and safety (H&S). This paper aims to explore the use of emerging technologies as an effective solution for improving safety in construction projects.
Design/methodology/approach
Following a detailed literature review, a questionnaire survey was developed encompassing ten technologies for safety management and ten safety enablers using technologies in construction. A total of 133 responses were gathered from Malaysian construction practitioners. The collected quantitative data were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analyses to determine the meaningful relationships between the variables.
Findings
Findings revealed that the most effective emerging technologies for safety management are: building information modelling (BIM), wearable safety technologies and robotics and automation (R&A). The leading safety enablers are related to improve hazard identification, reinforce safety planning, enhance safety inspection, enhance safety monitoring and supervision and raise safety awareness.
Practical implications
Safety is immensely essential in transforming the construction industry into a robustly developed industry with high safety and quality standards. The adoption of safety technologies in construction projects can drive the industry towards the path of Construction 4.0.
Originality/value
The construction industry has historically been slow to adopt new technology. This study contributes to advancing the body of knowledge in the area of incorporating emerging technologies to further construction safety science and management in the context of the developing world. By taking cognisance of the pertinent emerging technologies for safety management and the safety enablers involved, construction safety can be enhanced using integrated technological solutions.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the funding by UTAR Research Fund (UTARRF) (Project Number: IPSR/RMC/UTARRF/2021-C1/J01). The authors express their sincere thanks to all the industry practitioners who have participated in the data collection process.
Disclosure statement: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Funding: UTAR Research Fund (UTARRF) (Project Number: IPSR/RMC/UTARRF/2021-C1/J01).
Citation
Yap, J.B.H., Lee, K.P.H. and Wang, C. (2023), "Safety enablers using emerging technologies in construction projects: empirical study in Malaysia", Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Vol. 21 No. 5, pp. 1414-1440. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-07-2021-0379
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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