Using Wearables to Monitor and Mitigate Workers’ Fatigue

Abstract

Construction workers are typically exposed to physically-demanding tasks for long periods, which considerably affects their well-being and productivity. To avoid productivity loss, work-rest interventions are critical to reduce strenuous physical exertion, interrupt the monotonous workloads, and reduce the risk of injuries and muscular disorders. As a result, there is a need to monitor cardiovascular stress and energy exertion that construction workers experience on a daily basis, and design a suitable work-rest schedule that is sufficient, yet does not delay the project. This paper, therefore, proposes a framework for an automated and near real-time data collection of workers’ physiological metrics such as heart rate and energy expenditure using wristband wearables. The paper then highlights the components of a framework that uses the collected data to design the work-rest schedule for on-site construction workers. The proposed framework facilitates efficient management of the work force, especially the unskilled laborers who are more exposed to excessive stress and site injuries.