Artificial Intelligence (AI) Coupled with the Internet of Things (IoT) for the Enhancement of Occupational Health and Safety in the Construction Industry

Abstract

The Singapore WSH (Workplace Safety and Health) Council states that 6 out of 17 fatal injuries in the first half of the year 2019 are from the Construction industry and that the top 3 causes of the fatal and major injuries are mainly falling from heights, machinery-related injuries and slips, trips or falls. The government does come up with various frameworks to reduce such accidents and incidents, incorporating the 4 main factors: policy, personnel, process and incentive factors. However, it has been found that still almost 25% of the safety hazards go unnoticed by the workers. One must understand that hazard identification at site is a visual search and analysis process which can be hindered by various human factors such as the workers’ physiological and psychological state of mind, attention span, bias and risk tolerance levels. This paper explores the possibilities of coupling AI with IoT to overcome those challenges.