Assessment of Construction Workers’ Labor Intensity Based on Wearable Smartphone System
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 145, Issue 7
Abstract
Construction jobs are more labor intensive than other industrial jobs. Safety problems caused by overworked bodies are common, and the supervision of construction workers is always flawed. In China, piecework has long been the common way to evaluate workers’ workloads, because it is always inconvenient to obtain direct indicators. To improve this situation, this paper proposes a method based on smartphone sensor acquisition and the concept of labor intensity to evaluate construction workers’ workloads. A sensor application based on the smartphone platform was created to effectively measure labor intensity so that the application could track construction workers’ movement data in an unobtrusive way. Moreover, preprocessing and a machine learning algorithm were used to classify 25 groups of experimental data. Then, the accuracy of the method was tested. It was shown that not only did the application meet the portability requirement, but its output also satisfied the accuracy requirement for supervising construction workers’ activity. The research presented in this paper can help construction organizations promote the intelligent management level of monitoring workers’ activity in real time and evaluating the workers’ whole-day workload.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Data generated or analyzed during the study are available from the corresponding author by request. Information about the Journal’s data-sharing policy can be found here: http://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001263.
Acknowledgments
The presented work is supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China (No. DUT18JC44).
References
Aguilar, G. E., and K.N. Hewage. 2013. “IT based system for construction safety management and monitoring: C-RTICS2.” Autom. Constr. 35 (Nov): 217–228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2013.05.007.
Akhavian, R., and A. H. Behzadan. 2016. “Smartphone-based construction workers’ activity recognition and classification.” Autom. Constr. 71 (Nov): 198–209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2016.08.015.
Bilal, M., L. O. Oyedele, J. Qadir, K. Munir, S. O. Ajayi, O. O. Akinade, H. A. Owolabi, H. A. Alaka, and M. Pasha. 2016. “Big data in the construction industry: A review of present status, opportunities, and future trends.” Adv. Eng. Inf. 30 (3): 500–521. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2016.07.001.
Bureau, S. S. 2016. China statistical yearbook. Beijing: China Statistical.
Chapelle, O., P. Haffner, and V. N. Vapnik. 1999. “Support vector machines for histogram-based image classification.” IEEE Trans. Neural Networks 10 (5): 1055–1064. https://doi.org/10.1109/72.788646.
Chiu, B. W. Y., and J. H. K. Lai. 2017. “Project delay: Key electrical construction factors in Hong Kong.” J. Civ. Eng. Manage. 23 (7): 847–857. https://doi.org/10.3846/13923730.2017.1319410.
Chodakowska, E., and J. Nazarko. 2017. “Labour efficiency in construction industry in Europe based on frontier methods: Data envelopment analysis and stochastic frontier analysis.” J. Civ. Eng. Manage. 23 (6): 787–795. https://doi.org/10.3846/13923730.2017.1321577.
Diego-Mas, J. A., and J. Alcaide-Marzal. 2014. “Using Kinect sensor in observational methods for assessing postures at work.” Appl. Ergon. 45 (4): 976–985. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2013.12.001.
Ding, L., W. Fang, H. Luo, P. E. D. Love, B. Zhong, and X. Ouyang. 2018. “A deep hybrid learning model to detect unsafe behavior: Integrating convolution neural networks and long short-term memory.” Autom. Constr. 86 (Feb): 118–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2017.11.002.
Dominicis, C., A. Depari, A. Flammini, S. Rinaldi, and E. Sisinni. 2013. “Smartphone based localization solution for construction site management.” In Proc., 2013 IEEE Sensors Applications Symp. Piscataway, NJ: IEEE.
Fang, Q., H. Li, X. Luo, L. Ding, H. Luo, and C. Li. 2018a. “Computer vision aided inspection on falling prevention measures for steeplejacks in an aerial environment.” Autom. Constr. 93 (Sep): 148–164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2018.05.022.
Fang, Q., H. Li, X. Luo, L. Ding, H. Luo, T. M. Rose, and W. An. 2018b. “Detecting non-hardhat-use by a deep learning method from far-field surveillance videos.” Autom. Constr. 85 (Jan): 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2017.09.018.
Fang, W., L. Ding, B. Zhong, P. E. D. Love, and H. Luo. 2018c. “Automated detection of workers and heavy equipment on construction sites: A convolutional neural network approach.” Adv. Eng. Inf. 37 (Aug): 139–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2018.05.003.
Foerster, F., M. Smeja, and J. Fahrenberg. 1999. “Detection of posture and motion by accelerometry: A validation study in ambulatory monitoring.” Comput. Hum. Behav. 15 (5): 571–583. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0747-5632(99)00037-0.
Freedson, P. S., K. Lyden, S. Kozey-Keadle, and J. Staudenmayer. 2011. “Evaluation of artificial neural network algorithms for predicting METs and activity type from accelerometer data: Validation on an independent sample.” J. Appl. Physiol. 111 (6): 1804–1812. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00309.2011.
Freedson, P. S., E. Melanson, and J. Sirard. 1998. “Calibration of the computer science and applications, Inc. accelerometer.” Med. Sci. Sports Exercise 30 (5): 777–781. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-199805000-00021.
Goedert, J. D., and P. Meadati. 2008. “Integrating construction process documentation into building information modeling.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage. 134 (7): 509–516. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2008)134:7(509).
Guo, S. Y., and L. Y. Ding. 2016. “A big-data-based platform of workers’ behavior: Observations from the field.” Accid. Anal. Prev. 93 (Aug): 299–309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2015.09.024.
Hall, K. S., C. A. Howe, S. R. Rana, C. L. Martin, and M. C. Morey. 2013. “METs and accelerometry of walking in older adults: Standard versus measured energy cost.” Med. Sci. Sports Exercise 45 (3): 574–582. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e318276c73c.
Hopkins, A. 2009. “Thinking about process safety indicators.” Saf. Sci. 47 (4): 508–510. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2008.07.020.
John, D., and P. Freedson. 2012. “ActiGraph and Actical physical activity monitors: A peek under the hood.” Supplement, Med. Sci. Sports Exercise 44 (S1): S86–S89. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e3182399f5e.
Joshua, L., and K. Varghese. 2013. “Selection of accelerometer location on bricklayers using decision trees.” Comput. -Aided Civ. Infrastruct. Eng. 28 (5): 372–388. https://doi.org/10.1111/mice.12002.
Karpathy, A., and F. F. Li. 2017. “Deep visual-semantic alignments for generating image descriptions.” IEEE Trans. Pattern Anal. Mach. Intell. 39 (4): 664–676. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPAMI.2016.2598339.
Konstantinou, E., and I. Brilakis. 2018. “Matching construction workers across views for automated 3D vision tracking on-site.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage. 144 (7): 04018061. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001508.
Lee, W., K. Lin, E. Seto, and G. C. Migliaccio. 2017. “Wearable sensors for monitoring on-duty and off-duty worker physiological status and activities in construction.” Supplement, Autom. Constr. 83 (S1): 341–353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2017.06.012.
Martin, A., and J. Voix. 2018. “In-ear audio wearable: Measurement of heart and breathing rates for health and safety monitoring.” IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. 65 (6): 1256–1263. https://doi.org/10.1109/TBME.2017.2720463.
Mingyuan, Z., Y. Zhen, Z. Xuefeng, and C. Tianzhuo. 2017. “Supervising construction workers’ activeness based on smart phone platform.” In Proc., 5th Int. Conf. on Geology Resource Management and Sustainable Development. Sydney, Australia: Aussino Academic Publishing House.
Nath, N. D., R. Akhavian, and A. H. Behzadan. 2017. “Ergonomic analysis of construction worker’s body postures using wearable mobile sensors.” Appl. Ergon. 62 (Jul): 107–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2017.02.007.
Øien, K., I. B. Utne, and I. A. Herrera. 2011. “Building safety indicators: Part 1-Theoretical foundation.” Saf. Sci. 49 (2): 148–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2010.05.012.
Park, J. W., G. W. Cha, W. H. Hong, and H. C. Seo. 2014. “A study on the establishment of demolition waste DB system by BIM-based building materials.” Appl. Mech. Mater. 522–524 (Feb): 806–810. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.522-524.806.
Poppe, R. 2010. “A survey on vision-based human action recognition.” Image Vision Comput. 28 (6): 976–990. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imavis.2009.11.014.
SAC (Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China). 2004. Classification on intensity of physical work. GB 3869-1983. Beijing: Standards Press of China.
Seo, J., S. Lee, and J. Seo. 2016. “Simulation-based assessment of workers’ muscle fatigue and its impact on construction operations.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage. 142 (11): 04016063. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001182.
TalkingData. 2017. “2017 Mobile internet industry development report.” Accessed March 3, 2019. http://mi.talkingdata.com/report-detail.html?id=719. 2018-3-1/2019-3-27.
Teizer, J., B. S. Allread, C. E. Fullerton, and J. Hinze. 2010. “Autonomous pro-active real-time construction worker and equipment operator proximity safety alert system.” Autom. Constr. 19 (Aug): 630–640. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2010.02.009.
Teo, E. A. L., and F. Y. Y. Ling. 2005. “Framework for project managers to manage construction safety.” Int. J. Project Manage. 23 (4): 329–341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2004.09.001.
Tixier, A. J. P., M. R. Hallowell, B. Rajagopalan, and D. Bowman. 2016. “Application of machine learning to construction injury prediction.” Autom. Constr. 69 (Sep): 102–114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2016.05.016.
Yan, X., H. Li, A. R. Li, and H. Zhang. 2017. “Wearable IMU-based real-time motion warning system for construction workers’ musculoskeletal disorders prevention.” Autom. Constr. 74 (Feb): 2–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2016.11.007.
Yang, K., C. R. Ahn, M. C. Vuran, and S. S. Aria. 2016. “Semi-supervised near-miss fall detection for ironworkers with a wearable inertial measurement unit.” Autom. Constr. 68 (Aug): 194–202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2016.04.007.
Zhang, Y., X. Sun, X. Zhao, and W. Su. 2018. “Elevator ride comfort monitoring and evaluation using smartphones.” Mech. Syst. Signal Process. 105 (May): 377–390. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymssp.2017.12.005.
Zhou, Z. 2016. Machine learning. Beijing: Tsinghua University Press.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
©2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 1, 2018
Accepted: Dec 3, 2018
Published online: Apr 30, 2019
Published in print: Jul 1, 2019
Discussion open until: Sep 30, 2019
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.