Tag and IoT based safety hook monitoring for prevention of falls from height

Abstract

Monitoring the unsafe behavior of construction workers at risky elevations is essential for eliminating fall from height (FFH) accidents. This study aims to bridge the gap between technological advancements and their application in the construction industry by introducing real-time hybrid vision- and IoT-based systems for safety engineers to monitor the use of safety hooks at risky elevations in real-time. The proposed system for hybrid smart safety hooks (HSSH) integrates three components: 1) vision (AprilTag detection) and IoT sensors (IMU and Altimeter) based monitoring systems, 2) web-based management platform (WBMP), and 3) backend cloud server (BCS) storage system. The proposed system aims to help safety managers by efficiently automating multiple workers' safety monitoring in real-time at the complex construction sites where performing a hazardous activity at a risk height may lead to FFH fatality. WBMP system provides a mode of communication and visualization, whereas BCS records the behavior of every worker, facilitating mitigative planning by safety engineers. The proposed HSSH system enhanced the performance of the SSH and the feasibility of deployment at real construction sites. Future research will involve the extensive integration of sensors for detailed insights of workers exposed to other hazards during construction. © 2022