Zhang, Zhenyu; Lin, Ken-yu; Lin, Jia-hua. (2022). 2safe: A Health Belief Model-integrated Framework For Participatory Ergonomics. Theoretical Issues In Ergonomics Science, 1 – 18.
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Abstract
Abstract Initiating ergonomics interventions in a business environment requires changes in the behaviour of relevant actors. When participating in an intervention, researchers need to collect and share information with practitioners to help them make better behaviour-related decisions. This paper describes the five-step 2SAFE (Surveillance, Screening, Assessment, Framing, and Evaluation) planning framework, which can be used to guide research-practice collaboration in participatory ergonomics programmes. This framework combines the understanding of work-related musculoskeletal disorders with the principles of the health belief model. This theoretical synthesis empowers the framework to address the following critical challenges: (1) how to make data collection processes attuned to the nature of ergonomic injuries; and (2) how to transform the data collected into immediately usable information for practitioners to change their behaviours. The framework is interdisciplinary and can facilitate transfer of knowledge between ergonomics and health behaviour science. The framework can enhance the ability of researchers to collaborate with practitioners and bring participatory ergonomics programmes closer to success. In the long term, we hope that this framework can lead to more high-quality interventions that are able to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders in various industrial settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]; Copyright of Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Keywords
Health Belief Model; Intervention Programme; Participatory Ergonomics; Planning Framework; Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders
El-Anwar, Omar; El-Rayes, Khaled; Elnashai, Amr S. (2010). Maximizing the Sustainability of Integrated Housing Recovery Efforts. Journal Of Construction Engineering And Management, 136(7), 794 – 802.
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Abstract
The large-scale and catastrophic impacts of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 challenged the efficacy of traditional postdisaster temporary housing methods. To address these challenges, the U.S. Congress appropriated $400 million to the Department of Homeland Security to support alternative housing pilot programs, which encourage innovative housing solutions that will facilitate sustainable and permanent affordable housing in addition to serving as temporary housing. Facilitating and maximizing the sustainability of postdisaster alternative housing is an important objective that has significant social, economic, and environmental impacts. This paper presents the development of a novel optimization model that is capable of (1) evaluating the sustainability of integrated housing recovery efforts under the alternative housing pilot program and (2) identifying the housing projects that maximize sustainability. An application example is analyzed to demonstrate the use of the developed model and its unique capabilities in maximizing the sustainability of integrated housing recovery efforts after natural disasters.
Keywords
Northridge Earthquake; United-states; Disasters; Optimization; Postdisaster Alternative Housing; Sustainability; Housing Recovery
El-Anwar, Omar; Chen, Lei. (2013). Computing a Displacement Distance Equivalent to Optimize Plans for Postdisaster Temporary Housing Projects. Journal Of Construction Engineering And Management, 139(2), 174 – 184.
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Abstract
Residence in temporary housing is a critical period for the social, economic, and psychological recovery of displaced families following disasters. Temporary housing locations define the displacement distance between families and their essential needs. The objective of this paper is to develop a novel methodology to capture the specific proximity needs and preferences of displaced families. This paper proposes a displacement distance equivalent as an objective metric to evaluate the performance of temporary housing locations in meeting the needs of displaced families. Moreover, the paper describes the development of an integer programming optimization model capable of optimizing temporary housing assignments to minimize total displacement distance equivalent while meeting budget constraints. The main contribution of this paper to the body of knowledge is in transforming the purpose of temporary housing programs from offering general accommodation to providing customized housing solutions tailored to the individual proximity needs of each household using the proposed displacement metric. In addition, the proposed optimization model enables decision makers to set budget constraints to ensure the economic feasibility of identified temporary housing solutions. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)CO. 1943-7862.0000601. (C) 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
Keywords
Disasters; Emergency Management; Integer Programming; Social Sciences; Displaced Families; Customized Housing Solutions; Decision Makers; Displacement Metric; Budget Constraints; Integer Programming Optimization Model; Objective Metric; Temporary Housing Locations; Post-disaster Temporary Housing Projects; Displacement Distance Equivalent Computation; Multiobjective Optimization; Optimization; Temporary Housing; Disaster Recovery; Displacement Distance; Housing Sites
Kim, Sang-Chul; Kim, Yong-Woo. (2014). Computerized Integrated Project Management System for a Material Pull Strategy. Journal Of Civil Engineering And Management, 20(6), 849 – 863.
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Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to present a computerized integrated project management system and report results of a survey on the effectiveness of the system. The system consists of a scheduling system, material management system, labor/equipment system, and safety/quality control system. The backbone system is a scheduling system that adopts a production planning system and a project scheduling system. The lowest level in the scheduling system is a daily work management system, which is linked to each functional management system (i.e. material management system, labor/equipment system, and safety/quality control system). The paper focuses on the material management and scheduling systems to implement a material pull system to reduce material inventories on site. Details of material management and scheduling systems are discussed, and a sample application is presented to demonstrate the features of the proposed computer application system. The paper presents practitioners and researchers with a practical tool to integrate material management and scheduling systems for site personnel.
Keywords
Construction; Lean Construction; Material Management System; Integrated System; Daily Work Management
Choi, Kunhee; Lee, Hyun Woo. (2016). Deconstructing the Construction Industry: A Spatiotemporal Clustering Approach to Profitability Modeling. Journal Of Construction Engineering And Management, 142(10).
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Abstract
In spite of the strong influence of the construction industry on the national health of the United States' economy, very little research has specifically aimed at evaluating the key performance parameters and trends (KPPT) of the industry. Due to this knowledge gap, concerns have been constantly raised over lack of accurate measures of KPPT. To circumvent these challenges, this study investigates and models the macroeconomic KPPT of the industry through spatiotemporal clustering modeling. This study specifically aims to analyze the industry in 14 of its subsectors and subsequently, by 51 geographic spatial areas at a 15-year temporal scale. KPPT and their interdependence were firstly examined by utilizing the interpolated comprehensive U.S. economic census data. A hierarchical spatiotemporal clustering analysis was then performed to create predictive models that can reliably determine firm's profitability as a function of the key parameters. Lastly, the robustness of the predictive models was tested by a cross-validation technique called the predicted error sum of square. This study yields a notable conclusion that three key performance parameterslabor productivity, gross margin, and labor wageshave steadily improved over the study period from 1992 to 2007. This study also reveals that labor productivity is the most critical factor; the states and subsectors with the highest productivity are the most profitable. This study should be of value to decision-makers when plotting a roadmap for future growth and rendering a strategic business decisions.
Keywords
Construction Industry; Decision Making; Knowledge Management; Labour Resources; Macroeconomics; Organisational Aspects; Productivity; Profitability; Salaries; Statistical Analysis; Strategic Planning; Hierarchical Spatiotemporal Clustering Approach; National Health; Macroeconomic Kppt; Knowledge Gap; Spatiotemporal Clustering Modeling; Interpolated Comprehensive U.s. Economic Census Data; Parameters-labor Productivity; Gross Margin; Labor Wages; Strategic Business Decisions; Deconstructing; Key Performance Parameters And Trends; Firms Profitability; Error Sum Of Square; Labor Productivity; Projects; Firms; Performance; Performance Measurement; Cluster Analysis; Economic Census; Project Planning And Design
Lee, Wonil; Seto, Edmund; Lin, Ken-yu; Migliaccio, Giovanni C. (2017). An Evaluation Of Wearable Sensors And Their Placements For Analyzing Construction Worker’s Trunk Posture In Laboratory Conditions. Applied Ergonomics, 65, 424 – 436.
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Abstract
This study investigates the effect of sensor placement on the analysis of trunk posture for construction activities using two off-the-shelf systems. Experiments were performed using a single-parameter monitoring wearable sensor (SPMWS), the ActiGraph GT9X Link, which was worn at six locations on the body, and a multi-parameter monitoring wearable sensor (MPMWS), the Zephyr BioHarnessTM3, which was worn at two body positions. One healthy male was recruited and conducted 10 experiment sessions to repeat measurements of trunk posture within our study. Measurements of upper-body thoracic bending posture during the lifting and lowering of raised deck materials in a laboratory setting were compared against video-captured observations of posture. The measurements from the two sensors were found to be in agreement during slow-motion symmetric bending activities with a target bending of <= 45. However, for asymmetric bending tasks, when the SPMWS was placed on the chest, its readings were substantially different from those of the MPMWS worn on the chest or under the armpit. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords
Detectors; Construction Workers; Posture; Wearable Technology; Accelerometers; Work-related Injuries; Health; Accelerometer For Inclinometry; Construction Worker; Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorder; Motion Measurement; Position Measurement; Sensor Placement; Upper-body Thoracic Bending Posture Measurements; Trunk Posture Measurements; Zephyr Bioharness 3; Sensor Placement Effect; Construction Worker Trunk Posture Analysis; Wearable Sensor Evaluation; Asymmetric Bending Tasks; Slow-motion Symmetric Bending Activities; Mpmws; Multiparameter Monitoring Wearable Sensor; Actigraph Gt9x Link; Spmws; Single-parameter Monitoring Wearable Sensor; Low-back-pain; Physical-activity Assessment; Risk-factors; Musculoskeletal Disorders; Reliability; Movements; Validity; System; Gt3x+accelerometer
Nnaji, Chukwuma; Gambatese, John; Lee, Hyun Woo. (2018). Work Zone Intrusion: Technology to Reduce Injuries & Fatalities. Professional Safety, 63(4), 36 – 41.
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Abstract
WZIAT was first introduced to work zones in 1995 following a Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP)-sponsored study (Agent & Hibbs, 1996). Since the SHRP program, several WZIATs have been developed, evaluated by departments of transportation (DOTs) and implemented in work zones on many highway projects. [...]the researchers investigated the potential usefulness of WZIATs on reported fatal work zone intrusion cases. [...]the researchers identified and evaluated work zone fatality cases captured in the NIOSH Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) program to determine whether WZIATs could have prevented the reported fatalities. [...]construction and maintenance workers are provided additional reaction time if an intrusion occurs before the activity zone.
Keywords
Research; Fatalities; Highway Construction; Injury Prevention; Traffic Accidents & Safety; Automobile Safety; Roads & Highways; Transportation Planning; Electronic Mail Systems; Researchers; Intrusion; General Contractors; Occupational Health; Vehicles; Studies; Workers; Employees; Construction Industry; Traffic Control; United States--us; Canada; Kansas; Oregon
Nnaji, Chukwuma; Gambatese, John; Lee, Hyun Woo; Zhang, Fan. (2020). Improving Construction Work Zone Safety Using Technology: A Systematic Review of Applicable Technologies. Journal Of Traffic And Transportation Engineering (english Edition), 7(1), 61 – 75.
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Abstract
Once considered conventional, the construction industry is gradually increasing its reliance on innovations such as the application of technologies in safety management. Given the growing literature on technology applications in safety management and the varying opinions on the utility of applied technologies, a systematic review that streamlines findings from past studies is indispensable to construction stakeholders. Although a number of review studies are available in the building construction sector, the level of fragmentation and uniqueness within the construction industry necessitates a review study specifically targeting the heavy civil sector. In response, the present study applies a three-step approach to identify and review articles pertinent to the safety of highway construction work zones. The factors considered include the number of publications per year, publication locations, and technology types. In addition, the present study proposes to broadly group work zone safety technologies (WZSTs) into three categories based on their primary purpose: speed reduction systems, intrusion prevention and warning systems, and human-machine-interaction detection systems. Key findings include WZST research trends, application of smart work zone systems, and the potential relationship between WZSTs and fatalities. The paper ends with the identification of six additional research areas aimed at deepening the understanding of technology's role in highway safety management. The trend analysis and an in-depth discussion of each technology category alongside the identified research gaps will provide a substantial informative body of knowledge that both benefits current practitioners and directs researchers towards potential future studies. (C) 2019 Periodical Offices of Changan University. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Owner.
Keywords
Automated Speed Enforcement; Drivers Visual Performance; Rumble Strips; Message Signs; Radar; Management; Adoption; Crashes; Transportation; Work Zone; Worker Safety; Technology Application; Safety Technology; Systematic Review
Shim, Yukyung; Jeong, Jaemin; Jeong, Jaewook; Lee, Jaehyun; Kim, Yongwoo. (2022). Comparative Analysis of the National Fatality Rate in Construction Industry Using Time-series Approach and Equivalent Evaluation Conditions. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health, 19(4).
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Abstract
Fatality rates such as fatalities per full-time equivalent workers are officially used to compare the risk level of the construction industry among various countries. However, each country evaluates the fatality rate using different conditions. This paper presents the comparison of fatality rates of various countries using conventional (national data) and pair (equivalent condition) methods through a time-series approach. The research was conducted in three stages. The risk level was evaluated in order in South Korea (1.54), Japan (0.84), Mexico (0.83), China (0.70), United Kingdom (0.15), and Singapore (0.13) in terms of national data. However, the risk level was re-evaluated in order in China (2.27), South Korea (2.05), Mexico (1.23), Singapore (0.98), Japan (0.80), and United Kingdom (0.47) in terms of equivalent conditions. The risk level of each can be changed when the fatality rate is compared under given equivalent conditions.
Keywords
Fatality Rate; Risk Level; Full-time Equivalent Workers; Equivalent Evaluation Conditions; Time-series Analysis; Occupational Accidents; United-states; Injuries; Korea; Work; Comparative Analysis; Equivalence; Manual Workers; Risk Levels; Construction Industry; Fatalities; Risk Assessment; Safety Management; Industrial Accidents; Environmental Protection; Time Series; Accident Investigations; United Kingdom--uk; South Korea; Mexico; United States--us; Singapore; China; Japan
Kandil, Amr; El-Rayes, Khaled; El-Anwar, Omar. (2010). Optimization Research: Enhancing the Robustness of Large-Scale Multiobjective Optimization in Construction. Journal Of Construction Engineering And Management, 136(1), 17 – 25.
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Abstract
Many construction planning problems require optimizing multiple and conflicting project objectives such as minimizing construction time and cost while maximizing safety, quality, and sustainability. To enable the optimization of these construction problems, a number of research studies focused on developing multiobjective optimization algorithms (MOAs). The robustness of these algorithms needs further research to ensure an efficient and effective optimization of large-scale real-life construction problems. This paper presents a review of current research efforts in the field of construction multiobjective optimization and two case studies that illustrate methods for enhancing the robustness of MOAs. The first case study utilizes a multiobjective genetic algorithm (MOGA) and an analytical optimization algorithm to optimize the planning of postdisaster temporary housing projects. The second case study utilizes a MOGA and parallel computing to optimize the planning of construction resource utilization in large-scale infrastructure projects. The paper also presents practical recommendations based on the main findings of the analyzed case studies to enhance the robustness of multiobjective optimization in construction engineering and management.
Keywords
Optimizing Resource Utilization; Trade-off; Highway Construction; Genetic Algorithms; Cost; Model; Network; Design; Colony; Optimization Models; Parallel Processing; Resource Management; Housing; Multiple Objective Analysis; Linear Analysis; Algorithms