Construction real time information and communication system for safety

• Main Author: Aguilar, Gustavo Enrique
• Language: English
• Published: University of British Columbia 2012
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/43666

Despite stronger regulations for health and safety implemented throughout the years, the construction industry (CI) remains one of the most hazardous industries. Just in British Columbia, an average of 16,000 workers suffer from work related injuries and diseases on a yearly basis. An average of 33 workers die yearly for the same reason. Current health and safety (H&S) information made available by regulating bodies may not provide an accurate picture of the hazards and key focus areas in the CI. As a consequence, construction stakeholders do not necessarily rely on published data for decision making, training, and H&S management of their construction projects. This thesis describes a research project which aimed to develop and test a web-based communication and information system called the construction real-time information and communication system for safety (C-RTICS²). Information sent from multiple construction projects is gathered in a centralized database where real time safety indicators can be obtained for projects and for project types (e.g., Commercial, Industrial, Residential, and Transportation). A preliminary version of the proposed system was developed and tested in a one on one session with seven industry professionals with experiences in the construction industry ranging from 1 year to more than 25 years. 43% of participants considered that implementing C-RTICS² would “definitely” improve safety in their projects, while 57% considered it as “probably”. The on-the-spot training capabilities provided by the proposed system would be a definite advantage of the C-RTICS² system. Informed safety oriented decision making can be accomplished with the use of the proposed system. Furthermore, industry-wide H&S information sharing can lead to a positive change to the current safety status of the CI. C-RTICS² can be the starting point for a safer CI.