Wonil Lee, Ken-Yu Lin, Peter W. Johnson and Edmund Y.W. Seto
The identification of fatigue status and early intervention to mitigate fatigue can reduce the risk of workplace injuries. Off-the-shelf wearable sensors capable of assessing…
Abstract
Purpose
The identification of fatigue status and early intervention to mitigate fatigue can reduce the risk of workplace injuries. Off-the-shelf wearable sensors capable of assessing multiple parameters are available. However, using numerous variables in the fatigue prediction model can elicit data issues. This study aimed at identifying the most relevant variables for measuring occupational fatigue among entry-level construction workers by using common wearable sensor technologies, such as electrocardiogram and actigraphy sensors.
Design/methodology/approach
Twenty-two individuals were assigned different task workloads in repeated sessions. Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify the most parsimonious fatigue prediction model. Heart rate variability measurements, standard deviation of NN intervals and power in the low-frequency range (LF) were considered for fatigue prediction. Fast Fourier transform and autoregressive (AR) analysis were employed as frequency domain analysis methods.
Findings
The log-transformed LF obtained using AR analysis is preferred for daily fatigue management, whereas the standard deviation of normal-to-normal NN is useful in weekly fatigue management.
Research limitations/implications
This study was conducted with entry-level construction workers who are involved in manual material handling activities. The findings of this study are applicable to this group.
Originality/value
This is the first study to investigate all major measures obtainable through electrocardiogram and actigraphy among current mainstream wearables for monitoring occupational fatigue in the construction industry. It contributes knowledge on the use of wearable technology for managing occupational fatigue among entry-level construction workers engaged in material handling activities.
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Wonil Lee and Giovanni Ciro Migliaccio
The purpose of this paper was to investigate the physiological cost of concrete construction activities.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper was to investigate the physiological cost of concrete construction activities.
Design/methodology/approach
Five concrete construction workers were recruited. The workers’ three-week heart rate (HR) data were collected in summer and autumn. In this paper, several HR indexes were used to investigate the physiological cost of work in concrete construction trades, including average working HR, relative HR and ratio of working HR to resting HR.
Findings
This paper measures how absolute and relative HRs vary throughout a workday and how working HR compares to resting HR for individual workers.
Research limitations/implications
Field observations are usually extremely difficult as researchers need to overcome a number of barriers, including employers’ resistance to perceived additional liabilities, employees’ fear that their level of activity will be reported to managers and many other practical and technical difficulties. As these challenges increase exponentially with the number of employers, subjects and sites, this study was limited to a small number of subjects all working for the same employer on the same jobsite. Still, challenges are often unpredictable and lessons learned from this study are expected to guide both our and other researchers’ continuation of this work.
Originality/value
The time effect on the physiological cost of work has not been considered in previous studies. Thus, this study is noteworthy owing to the depth of the data collected rather than the breadth of the data.