Automated detection of near-miss fall incidents in iron workers using inertial measurement units

Kanghyeok Yang, Sepi Aria, Changbum R. Ahn, Terry L. Stentz

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

54 Scopus citations

Abstract

Accidental falls (slips, trips, and falls from height) are the leading cause of death and injury on a construction site. Assessing the risk of such falls, therefore, becomes a fundamental step toward reducing these accidents. However, the quantitative assessment of a fall risk for construction workers is still very challenging because of sparse data related to fall accidents. Recently, there has been a growing interest in the identification of near-miss fall accidents to utilize them as supplementary data for fall-risk assessments. Current documentation for near-miss fall accidents is based on workers' self-reporting, a fact that adds variability to the data. In response, this research introduces a method that can detect near-miss fall incidents based on inertial measurement units (IMUs). A preliminary laboratory experiment collects data on ironworkers' typical movements, postures, and near-miss fall accidents. Workers' postures and movements are recognized through supervised classification algorithms; near-miss fall incidents during the classified posture/movement are quantifiably detected based on the time-series anomaly detection approach. Such research helps to identify the possibility of fall accidents more precisely according to worker's activity data. Additionally, documenting near-miss fall data provides quantitative data for ironworkers' fall-risk assessment, a significant step forward in the field.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationConstruction Research Congress 2014
Subtitle of host publicationConstruction in a Global Network - Proceedings of the 2014 Construction Research Congress
PublisherAmerican Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Pages935-944
Number of pages10
ISBN (Print)9780784413517
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014
Event2014 Construction Research Congress: Construction in a Global Network, CRC 2014 - Atlanta, GA, United States
Duration: May 19 2014May 21 2014

Publication series

NameConstruction Research Congress 2014: Construction in a Global Network - Proceedings of the 2014 Construction Research Congress

Conference

Conference2014 Construction Research Congress: Construction in a Global Network, CRC 2014
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAtlanta, GA
Period5/19/145/21/14

Keywords

  • Construction Safety
  • Fall Accidents
  • Inertial Measurement Unit
  • Wearable Wireless Sensor Network

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Building and Construction

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